Generali Asset Management SPA SGR Makes New $2.81 Million Investment in Pool Co. (NASDAQ:POOL)

Generali Asset Management SPA SGR bought a new position in shares of Pool Co. (NASDAQ:POOL) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm bought 8,227 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock, valued at approximately $2,805,000.

A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of POOL. Rakuten Securities Inc. lifted its holdings in Pool by 2,300.0% during the 4th quarter. Rakuten Securities Inc. now owns 72 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 69 shares during the last quarter. Atala Financial Inc bought a new position in Pool during the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. Sierra Ocean LLC bought a new position in Pool during the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. Brooklyn Investment Group bought a new position in Pool during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $31,000. Finally, Private Trust Co. NA lifted its holdings in Pool by 76.9% during the 4th quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 138 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $47,000 after buying an additional 60 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 98.99% of the company’s stock.

Pool Stock Performance

POOL opened at $322.22 on Thursday. The business’s 50 day moving average is $342.87 and its 200-day moving average is $354.86. The stock has a market cap of $12.13 billion, a PE ratio of 28.57, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.03 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a current ratio of 2.05, a quick ratio of 0.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. Pool Co. has a twelve month low of $293.51 and a twelve month high of $420.98.

Pool (NASDAQ:POOL) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 20th. The specialty retailer reported $0.97 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.89 by $0.08. The company had revenue of $987.48 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $961.04 million. Pool had a return on equity of 31.11% and a net margin of 8.18%. On average, analysts predict that Pool Co. will post 11.32 earnings per share for the current year.

Pool Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 26th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 12th will be issued a $1.20 dividend. This represents a $4.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.49%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 12th. Pool’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 42.55%.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director De La Mesa Manuel J. Perez sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $346.00, for a total value of $3,460,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 62,577 shares in the company, valued at $21,651,642. This trade represents a 13.78 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Insiders own 3.00% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

POOL has been the subject of several recent research reports. StockNews.com lowered Pool from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Friday, February 28th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on Pool from $370.00 to $360.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $368.00.

About Pool

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.