Pool Co. (NASDAQ:POOL) Shares Bought by Scientech Research LLC

Scientech Research LLC raised its position in Pool Co. (NASDAQ:POOL) by 346.7% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 6,383 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock after acquiring an additional 4,954 shares during the period. Scientech Research LLC’s holdings in Pool were worth $1,962,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of POOL. Swedbank AB acquired a new stake in Pool in the first quarter valued at approximately $96,528,000. TD Asset Management Inc boosted its stake in Pool by 585.6% in the fourth quarter. TD Asset Management Inc now owns 183,060 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $72,988,000 after acquiring an additional 156,361 shares in the last quarter. Caledonia Investments PLC acquired a new stake in Pool in the second quarter valued at approximately $37,390,000. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in Pool in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $44,697,000. Finally, Epoch Investment Partners Inc. boosted its stake in Pool by 711.3% in the fourth quarter. Epoch Investment Partners Inc. now owns 123,419 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $49,208,000 after acquiring an additional 108,207 shares in the last quarter. 98.99% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Pool Trading Up 1.2 %

NASDAQ POOL opened at $370.33 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $14.19 billion, a PE ratio of 28.98, a P/E/G ratio of 2.70 and a beta of 1.00. The company has a fifty day moving average of $353.13 and a 200 day moving average of $358.65. Pool Co. has a 1 year low of $293.51 and a 1 year high of $422.73. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.75, a current ratio of 2.48 and a quick ratio of 0.88.

Pool (NASDAQ:POOL) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 25th. The specialty retailer reported $4.99 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.90 by $0.09. Pool had a net margin of 8.58% and a return on equity of 32.85%. The company had revenue of $1.77 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.74 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $5.89 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was down 4.7% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts forecast that Pool Co. will post 10.99 earnings per share for the current year.

Pool Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 29th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 15th were issued a $1.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, August 15th. This represents a $4.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.30%. Pool’s payout ratio is 37.56%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on POOL shares. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Pool from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 7th. Robert W. Baird lifted their price objective on shares of Pool from $305.00 to $377.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, July 26th. Oppenheimer lifted their price objective on shares of Pool from $356.00 to $380.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, July 26th. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price objective on shares of Pool from $365.00 to $415.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, July 26th. Finally, Loop Capital decreased their target price on shares of Pool from $370.00 to $305.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, June 25th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $350.00.

Pool Profile

Pool Corporation distributes swimming pool supplies, equipment, and related leisure products in the United States and internationally. The company offers maintenance products, including chemicals, supplies, and pool accessories; repair and replacement parts for pool equipment, such as cleaners, filters, heaters, pumps, and lights; and building materials, such as concrete, plumbing and electrical components, functional and decorative pool surfaces, decking materials, tiles, hardscapes, and natural stones for pool installations and remodeling.