Pictet Asset Management Holding SA Sells 533,080 Shares of Pool Corporation $POOL

Key Points

• Pictet Asset Management sold 533,080 shares of Pool, cutting its stake by 98.8% to 6,599 shares worth $1.51 million as of the latest SEC filing.
• Pool raised its quarterly dividend to $1.30 (annualized $5.20, ~2.6% yield) and authorized a $600 million buyback (up to 7.8% of shares), signaling management believes the stock may be undervalued.
• In Q1 Pool reported $1.43 EPS (beating estimates) but revenue of $1.14 billion missed expectations; management set FY2026 guidance of 10.87–11.17 EPS and analysts hold a consensus rating of "Hold" with a $265.13 target.

Pictet Asset Management Holding SA cut its position in shares of Pool Corporation (NASDAQ:POOL - Free Report) by 98.8% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 6,599 shares of the specialty retailer's stock after selling 533,080 shares during the quarter. Pictet Asset Management Holding SA's holdings in Pool were worth $1,510,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of POOL. Root Financial Partners LLC acquired a new position in Pool during the third quarter valued at approximately $29,000. CYBER HORNET ETFs LLC acquired a new position in Pool during the second quarter valued at approximately $30,000. MUFG Securities EMEA plc acquired a new position in Pool during the second quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Private Trust Co. NA boosted its position in Pool by 78.6% during the fourth quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 125 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 55 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Allworth Financial LP boosted its position in Pool by 133.3% during the third quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 126 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $39,000 after purchasing an additional 72 shares during the last quarter. 98.99% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts recently commented on POOL shares. The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their price target on Pool from $360.00 to $310.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, January 13th. Wall Street Zen raised Pool from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Monday, April 27th. Weiss Ratings raised Pool from a "sell (d)" rating to a "hold (c-)" rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 29th. Bank of America reduced their price target on Pool from $229.00 to $226.00 and set an "underperform" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, April 20th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus increased their price target on Pool from $232.00 to $240.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, April 24th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $265.13.

Pool Stock Performance

POOL opened at $203.23 on Tuesday. Pool Corporation has a 12-month low of $195.49 and a 12-month high of $345.00. The stock has a market cap of $7.41 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.70, a PEG ratio of 2.64 and a beta of 1.16. The business has a 50 day moving average of $213.93 and a 200-day moving average of $239.73. The company has a quick ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 1.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.09.

Pool (NASDAQ:POOL - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 23rd. The specialty retailer reported $1.43 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.34 by $0.09. Pool had a return on equity of 32.37% and a net margin of 7.57%.The company had revenue of $1.14 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $1.82 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.32 earnings per share. The business's revenue was up 6.2% on a year-over-year basis. Pool has set its FY 2026 guidance at 10.870-11.170 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that Pool Corporation will post 11.07 earnings per share for the current year.

Pool Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, May 28th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, May 14th will be given a $1.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, May 14th. This is a positive change from Pool's previous quarterly dividend of $1.25. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.6%. Pool's payout ratio is 47.84%.

Pool announced that its board has authorized a stock buyback program on Wednesday, April 29th that permits the company to buyback $600.00 million in shares. This buyback authorization permits the specialty retailer to purchase up to 7.8% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are generally an indication that the company's management believes its stock is undervalued.

Insider Activity

In other Pool news, Director De La Mesa Manuel J. Perez acquired 5,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 13th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $205.00 per share, with a total value of $1,025,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 110,108 shares in the company, valued at approximately $22,572,140. This represents a 4.76% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Romain Kenneth G. St acquired 5,560 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 23rd. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $218.67 per share, with a total value of $1,215,805.20. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president owned 82,845 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $18,115,716.15. The trade was a 7.19% increase in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. Insiders own 3.00% of the company's stock.

Pool Profile

Pool Corporation is a leading wholesale distributor of swimming pool supplies, equipment, and related outdoor living products. Headquartered in Covington, Louisiana, the company serves a diverse customer base that includes service professionals, independent retailers, high-volume builders, and national retail chains. Pool Corporation's extensive branch network enables it to maintain strong local customer relationships while leveraging its scale to source products efficiently from manufacturers around the world.

The company's product portfolio spans pool and spa chemicals, water treatment equipment, pumps, filters, heaters, automation and control systems, liners, safety covers, and cleaning accessories.

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