Delta Global Management LP Buys New Stake in Pool Corporation $POOL

Delta Global Management LP bought a new stake in Pool Corporation (NASDAQ:POOL) during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund bought 9,151 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock, valued at approximately $1,852,000.

A number of other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Clearstead Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Pool by 100.0% in the fourth quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC now owns 122 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 61 shares in the last quarter. Private Trust Co. NA raised its holdings in shares of Pool by 78.6% in the 4th quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 125 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 55 shares during the period. CYBER HORNET ETFs LLC acquired a new position in Pool during the 2nd quarter worth about $30,000. Covestor Ltd lifted its stake in Pool by 348.4% during the 4th quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 139 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 108 shares in the last quarter. Finally, MUFG Securities EMEA plc purchased a new position in Pool during the 2nd quarter valued at about $33,000. 98.99% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have weighed in on POOL. Stifel Nicolaus dropped their target price on Pool from $235.00 to $189.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research report on Friday. Bank of America reduced their price target on shares of Pool from $226.00 to $206.00 and set an “underperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, July 20th. Robert W. Baird set a $260.00 price objective on shares of Pool in a research note on Friday. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Pool from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, April 27th. Finally, Oppenheimer cut their target price on shares of Pool from $280.00 to $227.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $235.67.

Key Pool News

Here are the key news stories impacting Pool this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Pool reported second-quarter revenue of about $1.82 billion, up 2% year over year, with adjusted EPS of $5.38 beating estimates. The company also said recurring maintenance demand and building materials growth helped offset softness elsewhere. Article Title
• Positive Sentiment: Management confirmed its annual earnings outlook excluding CEO transition costs, suggesting the core business remains stable despite a mixed quarter. Article Title
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst commentary has been mixed-to-neutral, with at least one firm maintaining a Hold rating after the earnings release, reinforcing a wait-and-see stance. Article Title
• Negative Sentiment: Gross margin declined and operating income fell, with management pointing to higher freight costs, customer mix, muted discretionary demand, and weak new pool construction as headwinds. Article Title
• Negative Sentiment: The company’s FY2026 EPS guidance of $10.66 to $10.96 came in below the market’s expectation, which may be weighing on investor sentiment. Article Title

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director De La Mesa Manuel J. Perez acquired 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 13th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $175.95 per share, with a total value of $1,759,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 40,108 shares in the company, valued at $7,057,002.60. This represents a 33.21% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director John E. Stokely bought 1,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 7th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $193.06 per share, for a total transaction of $193,060.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director directly owned 16,230 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,133,363.80. This trade represents a 6.57% increase in their position. Additional details regarding this purchase are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last ninety days, insiders acquired 21,989 shares of company stock valued at $4,042,747. Corporate insiders own 3.00% of the company’s stock.

Pool Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ POOL opened at $183.77 on Monday. The stock has a market cap of $6.70 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.91, a PEG ratio of 2.38 and a beta of 1.05. The business’s fifty day simple moving average is $196.10 and its 200-day simple moving average is $216.12. Pool Corporation has a 12-month low of $172.68 and a 12-month high of $336.15. The company has a current ratio of 2.67, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.05.

Pool (NASDAQ:POOL) last released its earnings results on Thursday, July 23rd. The specialty retailer reported $5.38 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $5.33 by $0.05. Pool had a return on equity of 32.74% and a net margin of 7.40%.The firm had revenue of $1.82 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.82 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $5.17 EPS. Pool’s revenue for the quarter was up 2.2% on a year-over-year basis. Pool has set its FY 2026 guidance at 10.660-10.960 EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that Pool Corporation will post 10.98 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Pool Increases Dividend

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

Pool announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a share buyback plan on Wednesday, April 29th that permits the company to repurchase $600.00 million in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits the specialty retailer to repurchase up to 7.8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are often a sign that the company’s management believes its shares are undervalued.

About Pool

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.