RBF Capital LLC Invests $915,000 in Pool Corporation $POOL

RBF Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of Pool Corporation (NASDAQ:POOL) in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 4,000 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock, valued at approximately $915,000.

Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Schwartz Investment Counsel Inc. purchased a new position in Pool during the 4th quarter valued at about $4,575,000. Silver Oak Securities Incorporated acquired a new stake in Pool in the 4th quarter valued at about $2,399,000. CenterBook Partners LP acquired a new stake in Pool in the 4th quarter valued at about $3,381,000. King Luther Capital Management Corp raised its position in Pool by 236.4% in the 4th quarter. King Luther Capital Management Corp now owns 11,146 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $2,550,000 after purchasing an additional 7,833 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Caledonia Investments PLC raised its position in Pool by 9.3% in the 4th quarter. Caledonia Investments PLC now owns 175,887 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $40,236,000 after purchasing an additional 15,000 shares in the last quarter. 98.99% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Trending Headlines about Pool

Here are the key news stories impacting Pool this week:

• Neutral Sentiment: Most of the recent headlines are unrelated to Pool Corporation and focus on the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool algae issue, so they do not appear to materially affect POOL’s business outlook or earnings trajectory.
• Neutral Sentiment: Several articles reference other companies’ “share award pools” or incentive pools, but these are unrelated corporate actions from non-U.S. firms and are not meaningful catalysts for Pool Corporation.
• Neutral Sentiment: One private-equity announcement about forming a platform for pool service brands could be mildly supportive for the broader pool-services industry, but it does not directly involve Pool Corporation or change its near-term operating outlook.

Insider Transactions at Pool

In other news, Director David G. Whalen purchased 525 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 8th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $190.44 per share, for a total transaction of $99,981.00. Following the purchase, the director directly owned 8,936 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,701,771.84. This represents a 6.24% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director James D. Hope purchased 464 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 7th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $194.41 per share, for a total transaction of $90,206.24. Following the purchase, the director directly owned 3,678 shares in the company, valued at $715,039.98. The trade was a 14.44% increase in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. Over the last quarter, insiders have bought 21,989 shares of company stock worth $4,042,747. 3.00% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the company. Zacks Research raised Pool from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, April 27th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on Pool from $230.00 to $215.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 8th. Robert W. Baird reduced their price target on Pool from $320.00 to $300.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, February 20th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $246.00 price target on Pool in a research report on Friday, February 20th. Finally, Oppenheimer dropped their price objective on Pool from $346.00 to $280.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, February 24th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Pool has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $261.38.

Pool Trading Up 3.7%

NASDAQ:POOL opened at $198.08 on Wednesday. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $198.15 and its 200 day moving average price is $222.38. The company has a market capitalization of $7.22 billion, a PE ratio of 18.22, a P/E/G ratio of 2.42 and a beta of 1.10. The company has a quick ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 1.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.09. Pool Corporation has a 52-week low of $172.68 and a 52-week high of $345.00.

Pool (NASDAQ:POOL) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 23rd. The specialty retailer reported $1.43 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.34 by $0.09. The firm had revenue of $1.14 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.82 billion. Pool had a return on equity of 32.37% and a net margin of 7.57%.The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 6.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.32 EPS. Pool has set its FY 2026 guidance at 10.870-11.170 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that Pool Corporation will post 11.08 EPS for the current year.

Pool declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock repurchase plan on Wednesday, April 29th that authorizes the company to repurchase $600.00 million in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the specialty retailer to purchase 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 stock is undervalued.

Pool Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 28th. Investors of record on Thursday, May 14th were paid a dividend of $1.30 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 14th. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.6%. This is a boost from Pool’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.25. Pool’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 47.84%.

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.