UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC Has $95.91 Million Stake in Pool Co. (NASDAQ:POOL)

UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC boosted its holdings in Pool Co. (NASDAQ:POOL - Free Report) by 8.1% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 281,302 shares of the specialty retailer's stock after buying an additional 20,969 shares during the period. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC owned 0.74% of Pool worth $95,907,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Focus Partners Wealth lifted its stake in shares of Pool by 907.2% in the 4th quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 37,399 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $12,768,000 after purchasing an additional 33,686 shares in the last quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC lifted its stake in shares of Pool by 816.8% in the 4th quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 40,860 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $13,601,000 after purchasing an additional 36,403 shares in the last quarter. L. Roy Papp & Associates LLP acquired a new position in Pool during the 4th quarter worth approximately $653,000. World Equity Group Inc. acquired a new position in Pool during the 4th quarter worth approximately $272,000. Finally, Landscape Capital Management L.L.C. lifted its position in Pool by 104.0% during the 4th quarter. Landscape Capital Management L.L.C. now owns 3,778 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $1,288,000 after acquiring an additional 1,926 shares in the last quarter. 98.99% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, SVP Jennifer M. Neil sold 1,223 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $315.00, for a total transaction of $385,245.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly 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 transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Company insiders own 3.00% of the company's stock.

Pool Trading Up 0.4%

Shares of NASDAQ POOL traded up $1.28 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $300.24. 157,461 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 401,097. Pool Co. has a 1 year low of $284.28 and a 1 year high of $395.60. The stock has a market capitalization of $11.29 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.61, a PEG ratio of 2.03 and a beta of 1.20. The company has a quick ratio of 0.77, a current ratio of 2.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. The business has a 50 day moving average of $307.39 and a two-hundred day moving average of $335.03.

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

Pool announced that its board has authorized a share buyback program on Wednesday, April 30th that permits the company to buyback $600.00 million in shares. This buyback authorization permits the specialty retailer to repurchase up to 5.4% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are generally a sign that the company's board of directors believes its shares are undervalued.

Pool Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, May 29th. Investors of record on Thursday, May 15th will be paid a $1.25 dividend. This is an increase from Pool's previous quarterly dividend of $1.20. This represents a $5.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.67%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 15th. Pool's dividend payout ratio is currently 46.90%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms recently commented on POOL. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft began coverage on Pool in a research report on Tuesday, April 1st. They set a "hold" rating and a $344.00 price target on the stock. Robert W. Baird lowered their price target on Pool from $325.00 to $310.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Friday, April 25th. Stifel Nicolaus set a $300.00 price objective on Pool in a research note on Friday, April 25th. Wells Fargo & Company set a $300.00 price target on Pool in a research note on Friday, April 25th. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered Pool from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a report on Friday, February 28th. Two investment 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's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Pool presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $336.22.

About Pool

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.