Merit Financial Group LLC Boosts Stake in Pool Co. (NASDAQ:POOL)

Merit Financial Group LLC lifted its position in shares of Pool Co. (NASDAQ:POOL - Free Report) by 27.3% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 4,555 shares of the specialty retailer's stock after acquiring an additional 976 shares during the quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC's holdings in Pool were worth $1,450,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. AdvisorNet Financial Inc boosted its stake in shares of Pool by 7.8% during the 1st quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc now owns 468 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $149,000 after acquiring an additional 34 shares in the last quarter. Second Line Capital LLC lifted its stake in Pool by 4.1% in the 4th quarter. Second Line Capital LLC now owns 888 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $303,000 after buying an additional 35 shares in the last quarter. Tidal Investments LLC lifted its stake in Pool by 0.5% in the 4th quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 6,696 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $2,283,000 after buying an additional 35 shares in the last quarter. Waterloo Capital L.P. lifted its stake in Pool by 7.1% in the 4th quarter. Waterloo Capital L.P. now owns 635 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $216,000 after buying an additional 42 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Venturi Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in Pool by 4.0% in the 4th quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,122 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $383,000 after buying an additional 43 shares in the last quarter. 98.99% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Pool Stock Down 3.7%

Shares of NASDAQ POOL opened at $297.08 on Friday. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $304.72 and a 200-day simple moving average of $332.26. The company has a market capitalization of $11.17 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.34, a P/E/G ratio of 2.03 and a beta of 1.20. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71, a current ratio of 2.05 and a quick ratio of 0.77. Pool Co. has a 1 year low of $284.28 and a 1 year high of $395.60.

Pool (NASDAQ:POOL - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 24th. The specialty retailer reported $1.32 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.42 by ($0.10). Pool had a return on equity of 31.11% and a net margin of 8.18%. The firm had revenue of $1.07 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.10 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.85 EPS. The firm's quarterly revenue was down 4.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts predict that Pool Co. will post 11.32 earnings per share for the current year.

Pool declared that its Board of Directors has approved a stock buyback plan on Wednesday, April 30th that allows the company to repurchase $600.00 million in shares. This repurchase authorization allows the specialty retailer to reacquire up to 5.4% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are generally a sign that the company's leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

Pool Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 29th. Investors of record on Thursday, May 15th were issued a $1.25 dividend. This represents a $5.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.68%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 15th. This is an increase from Pool's previous quarterly dividend of $1.20. Pool's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 46.90%.

Insider Activity at Pool

In other Pool news, SVP Jennifer M. Neil sold 1,223 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $315.00, for a total value of $385,245.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 9,667 shares of the company's stock, valued at $3,045,105. This trade represents a 11.23% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. 3.00% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

POOL has been the topic of a number of research reports. Oppenheimer decreased their price target on shares of Pool from $370.00 to $322.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 28th. Stifel Nicolaus set a $300.00 price target on shares of Pool in a research note on Friday, April 25th. Wells Fargo & Company set a $300.00 price objective on shares of Pool in a report on Friday, April 25th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft assumed coverage on shares of Pool in a report on Tuesday, April 1st. They issued a "hold" rating and a $344.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Robert W. Baird cut their price objective on shares of Pool from $325.00 to $310.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Friday, April 25th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $336.22.

Pool Profile

Pool Corporation distributes swimming pool supplies, equipment, and related leisure products in the United States and internationally. The company offers maintenance products, including chemicals, supplies, and pool accessories; repair and replacement parts for pool equipment, such as cleaners, filters, heaters, pumps, and lights; and building materials, such as concrete, plumbing and electrical components, functional and decorative pool surfaces, decking materials, tiles, hardscapes, and natural stones for pool installations and remodeling.

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