Zacks Research Analysts Lower Earnings Estimates for Pool

Pool Corporation (NASDAQ:POOL) – Stock analysts at Zacks Research lowered their Q1 2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for Pool in a report released on Monday, March 9th. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the specialty retailer will earn $1.32 per share for the quarter, down from their previous estimate of $1.48. The consensus estimate for Pool’s current full-year earnings is $11.32 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Pool’s Q2 2026 earnings at $5.28 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $3.46 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $10.95 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $1.61 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $5.89 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $3.70 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $12.15 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $13.06 EPS.

Other analysts have also recently issued reports about the company. The Goldman Sachs Group cut their price objective on Pool from $360.00 to $310.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, January 13th. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their target price on shares of Pool from $240.00 to $232.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, February 23rd. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Pool from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Saturday. Oppenheimer reduced their price objective on Pool from $346.00 to $280.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, February 24th. Finally, Robert W. Baird cut their target price on shares of Pool from $320.00 to $300.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, February 20th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $281.50.

Pool Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ POOL opened at $208.88 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.68 billion, a PE ratio of 19.27, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.68 and a beta of 1.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.00, a quick ratio of 0.59 and a current ratio of 2.24. Pool has a 52 week low of $204.16 and a 52 week high of $364.71. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $246.11 and a 200 day moving average price of $266.00.

Pool (NASDAQ:POOL) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 19th. The specialty retailer reported $0.84 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.99 by ($0.15). Pool had a return on equity of 31.49% and a net margin of 7.67%.The business had revenue of $982.21 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $999.14 million. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.97 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue was down .5% compared to the same quarter last year. Pool has set its FY 2026 guidance at 10.850-11.150 EPS.

Pool Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 26th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 12th will be issued a dividend of $1.25 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 12th. This represents a $5.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.4%. Pool’s dividend payout ratio is presently 46.13%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CFO Melanie M. Hart sold 2,750 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $220.00, for a total value of $605,000.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer owned 18,039 shares in the company, valued at $3,968,580. This represents a 13.23% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, SVP Romain Kenneth G. St purchased 5,560 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 23rd. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $218.67 per share, for a total transaction of $1,215,805.20. Following the transaction, the senior vice president owned 82,845 shares in the company, valued at $18,115,716.15. This represents a 7.19% increase in their position. Additional details regarding this purchase are available in the official SEC disclosure. 3.00% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Pool

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Berkshire Hathaway Inc boosted its position in shares of Pool by 136.3% in the second quarter. Berkshire Hathaway Inc now owns 3,458,885 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $1,008,196,000 after acquiring an additional 1,994,885 shares during the period. Caledonia Investments PLC raised its position in Pool by 5.2% during the third quarter. Caledonia Investments PLC now owns 160,887 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $49,886,000 after purchasing an additional 8,000 shares in the last quarter. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH lifted its position in Pool by 224.7% in the 2nd quarter. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH now owns 61,696 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $17,983,000 after buying an additional 42,696 shares during the last quarter. Deprince Race & Zollo Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Pool by 43.9% in the 3rd quarter. Deprince Race & Zollo Inc. now owns 40,719 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $12,626,000 after acquiring an additional 12,424 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Natixis lifted its stake in Pool by 1,852.6% in the second quarter. Natixis now owns 66,799 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $19,471,000 after purchasing an additional 63,378 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 98.99% of the company’s stock.

Key Stories Impacting Pool

Here are the key news stories impacting Pool this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Consumer and product interest: Articles highlighting must-have pool safety products and new pool tech (AI-powered swim jets and robotic cleaners) point to ongoing consumer demand and product-led upgrades that could support retail and replacement spending for pool supplies. Must-have pool safety products for families iGarden Swim Jet X Series Aiper Experts Duo
• Neutral Sentiment: Industry services/content: A roundup of top marketing/SEO vendors for pool builders highlights increased professionalization of pool-construction and remodeling channels — indirectly relevant to POOL through potential B2B activity and channel growth. Best Marketing Companies for Pool Builders
• Neutral Sentiment: Unrelated corporate updates (no direct impact on POOL): Announcements from Corazon Mining (drill contract) and Renoworks (option grant) are industry/company-specific and do not materially affect Pool Corporation. Corazon Mining Signs Drill Contract Renoworks Grants Stock Options
• Negative Sentiment: Analyst downgrades and estimate cuts: Zacks Research issued a series of downward revisions to Pool’s quarterly and full-year EPS (notably cuts to FY2026 and FY2027 and lower Q1/Q3 estimates), with only small raises to a couple of quarters; the net effect lowers near-term earnings expectations and is the primary negative catalyst for the stock today. (Zacks report published 3/9–3/10.)

Pool Company Profile

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.