Zacks Research Issues Pessimistic Outlook for Pool Earnings

Pool Corporation (NASDAQ:POOL) – Investment analysts at Zacks Research dropped their Q4 2026 earnings estimates for shares of Pool in a report released on Monday, March 9th. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the specialty retailer will post earnings of $0.89 per share for the quarter, down from their previous forecast of $1.20. The consensus estimate for Pool’s current full-year earnings is $11.32 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Pool’s Q4 2027 earnings at $0.95 EPS.

Pool (NASDAQ:POOL) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 19th. The specialty retailer reported $0.84 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 for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $999.14 million. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.97 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was down .5% compared to the same quarter last year. Pool has set its FY 2026 guidance at 10.850-11.150 EPS.

Several other research firms have also issued reports on POOL. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $246.00 target price on Pool in a report on Friday, February 20th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “sell (d+)” rating on shares of Pool in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Pool from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research note on Saturday, March 7th. Oppenheimer decreased their target price on shares of Pool from $346.00 to $280.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, February 24th. Finally, Cfra upgraded shares of Pool from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $304.00 target price for the company in a research report on Monday, December 22nd. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $281.50.

Pool Price Performance

Pool stock opened at $210.88 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $7.76 billion, a PE ratio of 19.45, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.61 and a beta of 1.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.00, a current ratio of 2.24 and a quick ratio of 0.59. The stock’s fifty day moving average price is $245.75 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $265.61. Pool has a one year low of $204.16 and a one year high of $345.00.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Pool

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Clearstead Trust LLC acquired a new position in Pool in the 2nd quarter worth about $25,000. Root Financial Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Pool during the third quarter worth about $29,000. CYBER HORNET ETFs LLC acquired a new position in shares of Pool in the second quarter valued at approximately $30,000. MUFG Securities EMEA plc acquired a new position in shares of Pool in the second quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Finally, Clearstead Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Pool by 100.0% in the 4th quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC now owns 122 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 61 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 98.99% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CFO Melanie M. Hart sold 2,750 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $220.00, for a total transaction of $605,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer directly 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 document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Romain Kenneth G. St bought 5,560 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Monday, February 23rd. The stock was bought at an average price of $218.67 per share, for a total transaction of $1,215,805.20. Following the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 82,845 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $18,115,716.15. This represents a 7.19% increase in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. Company insiders own 3.00% of the company’s stock.

Pool Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 26th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 12th will be issued a $1.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 12th. This represents a $5.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.4%. Pool’s dividend payout ratio is 46.13%.

Key Pool News

Here are the key news stories impacting Pool this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks raised very small near-term estimates for two quarters (Q2 2026 and Q2 2027), leaving longer‑term consensus largely intact — a modest constructive note amid heavier cuts elsewhere. MarketBeat: Pool research notes
• Neutral Sentiment: Foundry Digital plans a U.S.-based institutional Zcash mining pool in April — significant for crypto/mining markets but unrelated to Pool Corporation’s retail pool business. Investors should treat this as industry color, not company-specific news. Foundry plans Zcash mining pool amid institutional interest in privacy coin
• Neutral Sentiment: Several consumer and trade pieces on pools (humidity control for indoor pools, pool safety product roundups, marketing resources for pool builders) provide industry context but are unlikely to move POOL shares materially. Representative links: DCA humidity release; pool safety guide; pool-builder marketing review. DCA Addresses Humidity Control for Indoor Pool Facilities Must-have pool safety products for families Best Marketing Companies for Pool Builders
• Negative Sentiment: Multiple Zacks Research notes cut POOL’s EPS forecasts across several upcoming quarters and trimmed FY2026 and FY2027 guidance expectations — the most significant driver for today’s investor caution. The collective downgrades lower near-term earnings visibility and weigh on valuation given POOL’s previous premium multiples. MarketBeat: Zacks cuts and estimate revisions for Pool

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.