Leslie’s, Inc. (NASDAQ:LESL) Receives Average Recommendation of “Reduce” from Analysts

Leslie’s, Inc. (NASDAQ:LESL) has earned an average rating of “Reduce” from the eleven ratings firms that are covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and nine have assigned a hold rating to the company. The average 12 month price target among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $23.8056.

Several analysts recently issued reports on LESL shares. Jefferies Financial Group set a $3.75 price objective on Leslie’s and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 3rd. Zacks Research raised Leslie’s from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 2nd. Mizuho set a $5.00 price target on Leslie’s in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. Weiss Ratings restated a “sell (e+)” rating on shares of Leslie’s in a report on Friday, December 26th. Finally, Morgan Stanley set a $3.50 target price on shares of Leslie’s in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Leslie’s

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. SG Americas Securities LLC acquired a new position in Leslie’s during the fourth quarter worth $29,000. Clearfield Capital Management LP bought a new stake in shares of Leslie’s during the 3rd quarter worth about $170,000. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board increased its holdings in shares of Leslie’s by 38.5% during the 2nd quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 117,000 shares of the company’s stock valued at $49,000 after acquiring an additional 32,500 shares during the last quarter. Pallas Capital Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Leslie’s by 168.6% in the 2nd quarter. Pallas Capital Advisors LLC now owns 63,888 shares of the company’s stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 40,100 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Engineers Gate Manager LP lifted its holdings in Leslie’s by 309.7% in the 2nd quarter. Engineers Gate Manager LP now owns 61,474 shares of the company’s stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 46,468 shares during the last quarter.

Leslie’s Stock Up 1.1%

Shares of NASDAQ:LESL opened at $1.80 on Monday. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $2.52 and a two-hundred day moving average of $5.29. Leslie’s has a 12-month low of $1.60 and a 12-month high of $48.60. The firm has a market capitalization of $16.72 million, a P/E ratio of -0.07 and a beta of 1.28.

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.