Pool (NASDAQ:POOL) Rating Increased to Hold at Wall Street Zen

Key Points

• Wall Street Zen upgraded Pool from a "sell" to a "hold" in its latest report.
• Pool missed quarterly estimates, reporting $0.84 EPS vs $0.99 expected and $982.2M revenue vs $999.1M, while setting FY2026 guidance of $10.85–11.15 EPS (consensus 11.32).
• Analysts have trimmed targets but the consensus remains "Hold" with an average price target of $279.63, while the stock trades near $214.91 (52‑week range $195.49–$345.00).

Pool (NASDAQ:POOL - Get Free Report) was upgraded by Wall Street Zen from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report issued on Saturday.

Several other equities research analysts have also recently weighed in on POOL. The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their price target on shares of Pool from $360.00 to $310.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, January 13th. Oppenheimer dropped their price objective on shares of Pool from $346.00 to $280.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, February 24th. Stifel Nicolaus dropped their price objective on shares of Pool from $240.00 to $232.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, February 23rd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $246.00 price objective on shares of Pool in a research note on Friday, February 20th. Finally, Robert W. Baird dropped their price objective on shares of Pool from $320.00 to $300.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, February 20th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $279.63.

Pool Trading Up 0.7%

Shares of POOL opened at $214.91 on Friday. The company's fifty day moving average is $223.57 and its 200 day moving average is $248.41. Pool has a fifty-two week low of $195.49 and a fifty-two week high of $345.00. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.89 billion, a PE ratio of 19.83, a P/E/G ratio of 2.67 and a beta of 1.26. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.00, a quick ratio of 0.59 and a current ratio of 2.24.

Pool (NASDAQ:POOL - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 19th. The specialty retailer reported $0.84 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.99 by ($0.15). Pool had a return on equity of 31.49% and a net margin of 7.67%.The business had revenue of $982.21 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $999.14 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.97 EPS. The company's revenue for the quarter was down .5% on a year-over-year basis. Pool has set its FY 2026 guidance at 10.850-11.150 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that Pool will post 11.32 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, CFO Melanie M. Hart sold 2,750 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $220.00, for a total value of $605,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 18,039 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,968,580. This represents a 13.23% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director De La Mesa Manuel J. Perez purchased 5,000 shares of Pool stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 13th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $205.00 per share, for a total transaction of $1,025,000.00. Following the purchase, the director directly owned 110,108 shares in the company, valued at $22,572,140. This trade represents a 4.76% increase in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. 3.00% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Pool

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. CNB Bank increased its position in shares of Pool by 4.1% in the 3rd quarter. CNB Bank now owns 918 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $285,000 after purchasing an additional 36 shares during the last quarter. Keybank National Association OH increased its position in shares of Pool by 4.2% in the 3rd quarter. Keybank National Association OH now owns 999 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $310,000 after purchasing an additional 40 shares during the last quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB increased its position in shares of Pool by 22.0% in the 3rd quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 227 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $70,000 after purchasing an additional 41 shares during the last quarter. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Pool by 20.0% in the 4th quarter. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC now owns 270 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $62,000 after purchasing an additional 45 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mitchell & Pahl Private Wealth LLC increased its position in shares of Pool by 1.4% in the 3rd quarter. Mitchell & Pahl Private Wealth LLC now owns 3,228 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $1,001,000 after purchasing an additional 46 shares during the last quarter. 98.99% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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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