Leslie’s (NASDAQ:LESL) Given New $3.50 Price Target at Mizuho

Leslie’s (NASDAQ:LESL) had its price target trimmed by Mizuho from $4.00 to $3.50 in a research note issued to investors on Friday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a neutral rating on the stock.

Other equities research analysts have also issued research reports about the stock. Weiss Ratings restated a “sell (e+)” rating on shares of Leslie’s in a report on Wednesday, March 25th. Zacks Research upgraded Leslie’s from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 17th. Finally, Morgan Stanley set a $1.00 price objective on Leslie’s and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 18th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Leslie’s has an average rating of “Reduce” and a consensus target price of $2.81.

Leslie’s Trading Up 12.6%

NASDAQ LESL opened at $1.61 on Friday. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $1.33 and a 200 day simple moving average of $1.94. Leslie’s has a 12-month low of $0.87 and a 12-month high of $18.56. The company has a market cap of $15.01 million, a P/E ratio of -0.05 and a beta of 1.53.

Leslie’s (NASDAQ:LESL) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 17th. The company reported ($5.24) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($4.20) by ($1.04). The business had revenue of $147.13 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $161.19 million. Sell-side analysts predict that Leslie’s will post -2.73 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Trading of Leslie’s

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Performa Ltd US LLC boosted its stake in Leslie’s by 27.5% in the first quarter. Performa Ltd US LLC now owns 148,000 shares of the company’s stock valued at $166,000 after acquiring an additional 31,900 shares during the last quarter. Quadrature Capital Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Leslie’s during the 4th quarter worth approximately $34,000. Barclays PLC purchased a new stake in shares of Leslie’s during the 4th quarter worth approximately $35,000. Clearfield Capital Management LP raised its holdings in shares of Leslie’s by 520.5% in the 4th quarter. Clearfield Capital Management LP now owns 191,575 shares of the company’s stock worth $316,000 after purchasing an additional 160,703 shares during the period. Finally, Arbiter Partners Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Leslie’s in the 4th quarter worth approximately $392,000.

Leslie’s Company Profile

Leslie’s, Inc (NASDAQ: LESL) is the largest direct-to-consumer retailer of swimming pool supplies and related equipment in the United States. Through a network of more than 900 company-operated stores and a robust e-commerce platform, the company offers a comprehensive range of pool chemicals, cleaning tools, pumps, filters, heaters and pool accessories. In addition to product retailing, Leslie’s provides in-store and in-home water testing services, equipment installation, repair and ongoing maintenance programs designed to support both residential and commercial pool owners.

Founded in 1963 in North Miami Beach, Florida, Leslie’s has grown from a single neighborhood pool-supply shop into a national specialty retailer.