Leslie's (NASDAQ:LESL) Shares Up 12% - What's Next?

Key Points

• Leslie's (NASDAQ:LESL) shares increased by 12%, trading as high as $6.97, despite a 61% drop in trading volume from its average.
• Equity analysts have varied opinions on Leslie's, with price targets ranging significantly, from $7.00 by Telsey Advisory Group to $20.00 by Mizuho.
• Institutional investors have actively traded Leslie's stock, with noticeable increases in stakes from UBS AM and Two Sigma Investments during the fourth quarter.

Leslie's, Inc. (NASDAQ:LESL - Get Free Report)'s share price was up 12% during trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $6.97 and last traded at $6.83. Approximately 89,744 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 61% from the average daily volume of 228,739 shares. The stock had previously closed at $6.10.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have recently commented on LESL shares. Telsey Advisory Group restated a "market perform" rating and set a $7.00 price target on shares of Leslie's in a research report on Wednesday, September 17th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Leslie's to a "sell" rating in a research report on Saturday, July 26th. Finally, Mizuho decreased their target price on shares of Leslie's from $60.00 to $20.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, July 3rd. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Reduce" and an average target price of $32.00.

Leslie's Price Performance

The stock's 50 day simple moving average is $6.96 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $10.82. The stock has a market cap of $1.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -14.66 and a beta of 1.27.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Leslie's during the 1st quarter worth approximately $1,543,000. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC raised its stake in Leslie's by 13.7% in the fourth quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 461,502 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,029,000 after purchasing an additional 55,701 shares in the last quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP raised its stake in Leslie's by 297.7% during the fourth quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP now owns 474,875 shares of the company's stock worth $1,059,000 after acquiring an additional 355,474 shares in the last quarter. Two Sigma Advisers LP bought a new stake in shares of Leslie's during the fourth quarter worth about $39,000. Finally, Nuveen LLC bought a new stake in Leslie's in the first quarter valued at approximately $320,000.

About Leslie's

Leslie's, Inc operates as a direct-to-consumer pool and spa care brand in the United States. The company markets and sells pool and spa supplies and related products and services. It also offers various pool and spa maintenance items, such as chemicals, equipment and parts, cleaning and maintenance equipment, safety, recreational, and fitness related products.

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