Rice Hall James & Associates LLC Purchases New Shares in Pool Corporation $POOL

Key Points

• Rice Hall James & Associates acquired 30,734 shares of Pool Corporation in the second quarter, valued at approximately $6.6 million. Institutional investors and hedge funds collectively own 98.99% of the company.
• Pool reported quarterly EPS of $5.38, topping estimates by $0.05, while revenue rose 2.2% year over year to $1.82 billion. The company reaffirmed fiscal 2026 EPS guidance of $10.66–$10.96.
• Pool approved a $600 million share-repurchase plan and declared a quarterly dividend of $1.30 per share, equivalent to a 2.7% annualized yield. Analysts maintain a consensus “Hold” rating with an average price target of $235.67.

Rice Hall James & Associates LLC acquired a new stake in Pool Corporation (NASDAQ:POOL - Free Report) during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor acquired 30,734 shares of the specialty retailer's stock, valued at approximately $6,605,000. Rice Hall James & Associates LLC owned approximately 0.08% of Pool at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of Pool during the second quarter worth $47,000. Persistent Asset Partners Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Pool in the second quarter valued at about $107,000. OneDigital Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Pool in the second quarter valued at about $220,000. Global Retirement Partners LLC bought a new position in Pool during the second quarter worth about $70,000. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp bought a new position in Pool during the second quarter worth about $148,216,000. 98.99% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Pool Stock Down 2.2%

POOL stock opened at $190.47 on Tuesday. Pool Corporation has a 52 week low of $172.68 and a 52 week high of $336.15. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $200.68 and a 200 day simple moving average of $209.05. The company has a quick ratio of 0.91, a current ratio of 2.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.05. The company has a market cap of $6.92 billion, a PE ratio of 17.52, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.64 and a beta of 1.06.

Pool (NASDAQ:POOL - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 23rd. The specialty retailer reported $5.38 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $5.33 by $0.05. The firm had revenue of $1.82 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.82 billion. Pool had a net margin of 7.40% and a return on equity of 32.74%. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 2.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $5.17 earnings per share. Pool has set its FY 2026 guidance at 10.660-10.960 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Pool Corporation will post 10.94 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Pool declared that its Board of Directors has approved a stock repurchase plan on Wednesday, April 29th that permits the company to buyback $600.00 million in shares. This buyback authorization permits the specialty retailer to repurchase up to 7.8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are usually an indication that the company's board of directors believes its shares are undervalued.

Pool Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, August 27th. Investors of record on Thursday, August 13th will be given a dividend of $1.30 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 13th. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.7%. Pool's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 47.84%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have issued reports on POOL shares. Stephens cut their price objective on shares of Pool from $290.00 to $225.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Friday, July 24th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Pool from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, April 27th. Oppenheimer dropped their price target on shares of Pool from $280.00 to $227.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $185.00 price target on Pool in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price target on Pool from $235.00 to $189.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, July 24th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $235.67.

Pool Company 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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