Pool Corporation (NASDAQ:POOL) Receives Consensus Recommendation of “Hold” from Analysts

Pool Corporation (NASDAQ:POOL) has been given a consensus rating of “Hold” by the twelve analysts that are covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, six have assigned a hold recommendation and four have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12 month target price among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $262.00.

A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on POOL shares. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on shares of Pool from $230.00 to $215.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 8th. Bank of America reduced their price objective on shares of Pool from $226.00 to $206.00 and set an “underperform” rating for the company in a research note on Monday. Weiss Ratings downgraded shares of Pool from a “hold (c-)” rating to a “sell (d+)” rating in a report on Thursday, May 14th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Pool from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, April 27th. Finally, Zacks Research raised shares of Pool from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, April 27th.

Pool Stock Down 6.6%

POOL opened at $183.33 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.09, a current ratio of 1.87 and a quick ratio of 0.55. Pool has a 12 month low of $172.68 and a 12 month high of $345.00. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.68 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.87, a P/E/G ratio of 2.52 and a beta of 1.05. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $195.93 and a 200-day simple moving average of $216.49.

Pool (NASDAQ:POOL) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 23rd. The specialty retailer reported $5.38 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $5.33 by $0.05. Pool had a return on equity of 32.37% and a net margin of 7.57%.The firm had revenue of $1.82 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.82 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $5.17 earnings per share. Pool’s revenue was up 2.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Pool has set its FY 2026 guidance at 10.660-10.960 EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Pool will post 11.05 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Pool declared that its board has authorized a share buyback program on Wednesday, April 29th that authorizes the company to repurchase $600.00 million in shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the specialty retailer to repurchase up to 7.8% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are typically an indication that the company’s leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

Pool Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 28th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, May 14th were given a dividend of $1.30 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, May 14th. This is a positive change from Pool’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.25. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.8%. Pool’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 47.84%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director David G. Whalen acquired 525 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 8th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $190.44 per share, with a total value of $99,981.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director directly owned 8,936 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,701,771.84. The trade was a 6.24% increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director De La Mesa Manuel J. Perez bought 10,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 13th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $175.95 per share, with a total value of $1,759,500.00. Following the purchase, the director directly owned 40,108 shares in the company, valued at $7,057,002.60. The trade was a 33.21% increase in their position. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. Insiders have acquired 21,989 shares of company stock valued at $4,042,747 over the last three months. Insiders own 3.00% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Pool

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of POOL. CYBER HORNET ETFs LLC acquired a new stake in Pool during the second quarter worth approximately $30,000. MUFG Securities EMEA plc purchased a new position in shares of Pool during the 2nd quarter worth $33,000. Clearstead Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Pool by 100.0% during the fourth quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC now owns 122 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 61 shares during the last quarter. Private Trust Co. NA boosted its holdings in shares of Pool by 78.6% during the fourth quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 125 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 55 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Allworth Financial LP grew its position in shares of Pool by 133.3% in 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 period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 98.99% of the company’s stock.

Pool News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Pool this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Pool reported Q2 adjusted EPS of $5.38, above the $5.33 consensus, while revenue rose 2% to about $1.82 billion, helped by resilient maintenance demand and improving building materials activity. Article Title
• Positive Sentiment: The company reaffirmed its full-year outlook, and excluding CEO transition costs, management said it is still on track for its prior annual earnings range, signaling confidence in the underlying business. Article Title
• Neutral Sentiment: William Blair maintained a Hold rating, saying the results were broadly in line and the margin outlook looks mixed, which supports a balanced risk-reward view rather than a strong bullish case. Article Title
• Negative Sentiment: Investor focus remains on margin pressure: gross margin slipped, operating income fell, and management cited higher freight costs, CEO transition costs, muted discretionary demand, and weak new pool construction. Article Title
• Negative Sentiment: Shares also reacted poorly because the company only reiterated guidance during the key summer selling season, while guidance for FY2026 EPS of $10.66-$10.96 came in below the market’s expectation. Article Title

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.