Sapient Capital LLC Buys New Stake in Pool Co. (NASDAQ:POOL)

Sapient Capital LLC bought a new stake in shares of Pool Co. (NASDAQ:POOL) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor bought 2,140 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock, valued at approximately $853,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. New York Life Investment Management LLC increased its stake in Pool by 0.5% during the 3rd quarter. New York Life Investment Management LLC now owns 5,687 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $2,025,000 after purchasing an additional 30 shares in the last quarter. Assetmark Inc. increased its stake in Pool by 12.2% during the 3rd quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 321 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $114,000 after purchasing an additional 35 shares in the last quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV increased its stake in Pool by 39.6% during the 4th quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 127 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $51,000 after purchasing an additional 36 shares in the last quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC increased its stake in Pool by 4.5% during the 3rd quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 882 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $314,000 after purchasing an additional 38 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Avior Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in Pool by 4.6% during the 4th quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC now owns 889 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $354,000 after purchasing an additional 39 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 98.99% of the company’s stock.

Pool Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:POOL traded up $4.54 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $364.65. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 430,034 shares, compared to its average volume of 402,506. The firm has a market capitalization of $13.98 billion, a PE ratio of 28.53, a P/E/G ratio of 3.80 and a beta of 1.01. The company has a quick ratio of 0.56, a current ratio of 1.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $390.55 and a 200 day moving average of $374.43. Pool Co. has a twelve month low of $307.77 and a twelve month high of $422.73.

Pool (NASDAQ:POOL) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 25th. The specialty retailer reported $1.85 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.87 by ($0.02). The firm had revenue of $1.12 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.13 billion. Pool had a net margin of 9.17% and a return on equity of 35.49%. The firm’s quarterly revenue was down 7.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $2.46 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that Pool Co. will post 13.02 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Pool Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, May 30th. Investors of record on Thursday, May 16th will be given a dividend of $1.20 per share. This represents a $4.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.32%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, May 15th. This is a positive change from Pool’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.10. Pool’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 34.43%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have issued reports on POOL. TheStreet lowered shares of Pool from a “b” rating to a “c+” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 22nd. Stifel Nicolaus cut their price objective on shares of Pool from $370.00 to $360.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 29th. Loop Capital lowered shares of Pool from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $380.00 to $415.00 in a research note on Monday, January 8th. Finally, Oppenheimer cut their price objective on shares of Pool from $436.00 to $416.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 29th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $391.80.

Insider Activity at Pool

In related news, General Counsel Jennifer M. Neil sold 1,100 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Friday, March 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $401.00, for a total transaction of $441,100.00. Following the sale, the general counsel now owns 8,622 shares in the company, valued at $3,457,422. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. 3.00% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Pool Company Profile

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.