Robert W. Baird Boosts Pool (NASDAQ:POOL) Price Target to $377.00

Pool (NASDAQ:POOL) had its price objective raised by Robert W. Baird from $305.00 to $377.00 in a research note issued to investors on Friday morning, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a neutral rating on the specialty retailer’s stock.

A number of other analysts have also recently commented on the company. Loop Capital dropped their price objective on Pool from $370.00 to $305.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, June 25th. Bank of America cut their price objective on Pool from $338.00 to $290.00 and set an underperform rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, June 25th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on shares of Pool from $360.00 to $290.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, June 25th. Oppenheimer cut their target price on Pool from $416.00 to $356.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, June 25th. Finally, Stephens reduced their price target on shares of Pool from $425.00 to $350.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, June 25th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Pool currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $347.22.

Pool Stock Performance

NASDAQ:POOL opened at $369.13 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $14.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.88, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.72 and a beta of 1.00. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $336.23 and its 200 day moving average price is $368.38. 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 has a 1-year low of $293.51 and a 1-year high of $422.73.

Pool (NASDAQ:POOL) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, July 25th. The specialty retailer reported $4.99 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.90 by $0.09. The company had revenue of $1.77 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.74 billion. Pool had a net margin of 8.58% and a return on equity of 32.85%. The business’s revenue was down 4.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $5.89 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Pool will post 11.04 EPS for the current year.

Pool Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 30th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, May 16th were issued a dividend of $1.20 per share. This represents a $4.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.30%. This is a boost from Pool’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.10. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, May 15th. Pool’s dividend payout ratio is 37.56%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Pool

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Taylor Frigon Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in Pool by 0.8% in the 2nd quarter. Taylor Frigon Capital Management LLC now owns 3,544 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $1,089,000 after buying an additional 28 shares during the last quarter. Wedmont Private Capital grew its stake in shares of Pool by 5.4% in the first quarter. Wedmont Private Capital now owns 590 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $236,000 after acquiring an additional 30 shares during the last quarter. Czech National Bank increased its position in Pool by 0.4% during the first quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 6,805 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $2,746,000 after acquiring an additional 30 shares during the period. TIAA Trust National Association raised its stake in Pool by 4.2% during the 1st quarter. TIAA Trust National Association now owns 747 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $301,000 after purchasing an additional 30 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Great Lakes Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Pool by 1.2% in the 4th quarter. Great Lakes Advisors LLC now owns 2,724 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $1,086,000 after purchasing an additional 31 shares during the period. 98.99% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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.