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Pool (POOL)
NASDAQ:POOL
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Pool (POOL) AI Stock Analysis

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Pool

(NASDAQ:POOL)

Rating:67Neutral
Price Target:
$326.00
▲(11.59%Upside)
Pool Corporation's overall stock score reflects challenges in financial performance and valuation, offset by positive corporate events and a mixed technical and earnings outlook. The stable balance sheet and strategic initiatives provide some optimism, but profitability pressures and market uncertainties weigh on the outlook.
Positive Factors
Growth Prospects
Pool sounded confident that initiatives like POOL360 and new branches would drive share gains.
Operational Execution
The market continues to present several challenges, but analysts believe POOL is executing well on what it can control.
Strategic Initiatives
Supply chain savings and improving private-label chemical sales should support gross margins.
Negative Factors
Competitive Pressure
Gross margin guidance was cut due to lower discretionary sales and increased pricing competition.
Earnings Performance
The company reported lower than expected earnings per share driven by weaker revenue.
Growth Outlook
2025 revenue growth guidance of flat to up slightly year-over-year is below the consensus expectation of +3%, signaling slower anticipated growth.

Pool (POOL) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Pool Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionPool Corporation (POOL) is a leading wholesale distributor of swimming pool supplies, equipment, and related leisure products. Operating primarily in North America, Europe, and Australia, the company caters to a diverse customer base that includes pool builders, retail stores, and service companies. Pool Corporation offers an extensive range of products, including chemicals, equipment, cleaning devices, and pool accessories, while also providing value-added services such as technical support and training.
How the Company Makes MoneyPool Corporation generates revenue through the distribution and sale of swimming pool supplies and related products. The company operates a vast network of distribution centers and leverages a robust supply chain to efficiently deliver products to its customers. Key revenue streams include sales to professional pool builders and retailers, who rely on Pool Corporation for a consistent supply of high-quality products. Additionally, the company benefits from strong relationships with manufacturers, allowing it to offer a wide variety of products and exclusive brands. Seasonal demand, particularly in warmer months, and the ongoing maintenance needs of swimming pools contribute to consistent revenue generation. Partnerships with industry leaders and a focus on expanding its geographical reach further enhance Pool Corporation's ability to drive sales and profitability.

Pool Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Apr 24, 2025
(Q1-2025)
|
% Change Since: -5.17%|
Next Earnings Date:Jul 24, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call presents a mixed outlook. While there are positive signs such as improvements in maintenance product sales, growth in the Pool 360 platform, and network expansion, the company faces significant challenges with declines in overall sales, gross margins, and new pool construction activities. The Texas market and European sales also underperformed during the quarter. Despite these challenges, there is some optimism for recovery in the latter part of the year.
Q1-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Maintenance Product Sales Performance
Maintenance product sales performed well during the quarter with chemicals showing volume and revenue growth, including double-digit growth in private label chemical products.
Commercial Business Sales Increase
Commercial business sales increased 7% in the first quarter, showing progress leveraging knowledge gained from recent acquisitions.
Pool 360 Growth
Orders processed through Pool 360 expanded to 13% of total sales for the first quarter of 2025, growing from 11% in the first quarter of last year.
Network Expansion
The wholesale distribution network expanded with two new locations in the first quarter, bringing the total to just shy of 450 locations.
Improved March Sales
Exiting the quarter with improved momentum, March sales finished up 2% over the prior year on a same-day basis.
Negative Updates
Sales and Revenue Decline
First quarter sales were down 4% versus last year, with a 2% decrease on the same selling day basis.
Gross Margin Decrease
Gross margins came in at 29.2% versus 30.2% in the first quarter of 2024, reflecting a year-over-year decrease.
New Pool Construction Challenges
New pool construction sales faced challenges with softer permit data and a wait-and-see pattern due to economic uncertainty and high interest rates.
Texas Market Underperformance
Sales declined 11% in Texas due to challenging weather conditions and macroeconomic factors.
European Sales Decline
Net sales in Europe declined 4% in local currency and 6% in US dollars, affected by macro uncertainties and market conditions.
Company Guidance
During the Pool Corporation First Quarter 2025 Conference Call, guidance for the year was affirmed, with expectations for full-year earnings per share (EPS) ranging from $11.10 to $11.60, including a $0.10 ASU tax benefit. The guidance reflects anticipated price increases of about 2% for the year, driven by tariffs and vendor price hikes, with a significant impact expected in the second half. Gross margins are projected to remain flat, with operating expenses expected to rise by 3% year-over-year. The company anticipates low single-digit top-line growth, supported by a strong maintenance product segment, which comprises over 60% of sales, while new pool construction faces headwinds due to macroeconomic uncertainties and high interest rates. Overall, Pool Corporation remains confident in outperforming the market, leveraging strategic initiatives like private label growth, technology enhancements through Pool 360, and an expanded distribution network.

Pool Financial Statement Overview

Summary
The company faces challenges in maintaining revenue growth and profitability, as evidenced by declining margins and net income. The balance sheet is stable with moderate leverage, and cash flow management shows efficiency despite a reduction in free cash flow growth.
Income Statement
65
Positive
The income statement reflects declining revenue and profit margins over recent periods. TTM data shows a decrease in total revenue, gross profit, EBIT, and net income compared to previous years. Gross Profit Margin and Net Profit Margin have also decreased in TTM, indicating pressure on profitability. Revenue growth has been negative, highlighting a challenging market environment for Pool.
Balance Sheet
70
Positive
The balance sheet shows a stable equity position, with a consistent Debt-to-Equity ratio, which indicates moderate leverage. The Equity Ratio remains healthy, although there has been a slight increase in total debt. Return on Equity has decreased in recent periods, reflecting the impact of declining net income on shareholder returns.
Cash Flow
75
Positive
The company has maintained positive operating cash flows, although there has been a decrease in free cash flow growth rate in the TTM period. The Operating Cash Flow to Net Income Ratio remains strong, indicating efficient cash generation relative to net income. However, the Free Cash Flow to Net Income Ratio has declined, suggesting tighter cash flow management.
BreakdownDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue5.31B5.54B6.18B5.30B3.94B
Gross Profit1.58B1.66B1.93B1.62B1.13B
EBITDA662.68M786.71M1.06B862.81M493.43M
Net Income434.32M523.23M748.46M650.62M366.74M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets3.37B3.43B3.57B3.23B1.74B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments77.86M66.54M45.59M24.32M34.13M
Total Debt1.27B1.36B1.66B1.43B623.84M
Total Liabilities2.09B2.12B2.33B2.16B1.10B
Stockholders Equity1.27B1.31B1.24B1.07B639.47M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow599.71M828.13M441.24M275.83M375.88M
Operating Cash Flow659.19M888.23M484.85M313.49M397.58M
Investing Cash Flow-66.17M-71.60M-50.87M-849.61M-146.29M
Financing Cash Flow-576.55M-798.13M-411.66M526.13M-244.37M

Pool Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price292.13
Price Trends
50DMA
301.55
Negative
100DMA
310.95
Negative
200DMA
332.68
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
0.56
Negative
RSI
43.62
Neutral
STOCH
37.17
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For POOL, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 292.13 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 297.40, below the 50-day MA of 301.55, and below the 200-day MA of 332.68, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of 0.56 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 43.62 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 37.17 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for POOL.

Pool Risk Analysis

Pool disclosed 23 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Pool reported the most risks in the "Macro & Political" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Pool Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (65)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
WSWSO
77
Outperform
$19.15B36.2918.91%2.54%3.92%1.09%
76
Outperform
£43.50B27.5429.28%1.51%2.32%-12.51%
CNCNM
75
Outperform
$12.06B27.8625.11%10.80%0.98%
AIAIT
73
Outperform
$9.79B25.7722.23%0.72%0.50%4.48%
67
Neutral
$5.69B48.367.64%4.73%-27.46%
67
Neutral
$11.32B28.2431.49%1.66%-3.56%-16.75%
65
Neutral
$10.90B15.415.26%1.89%3.11%-26.85%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
POOL
Pool
292.13
-39.48
-11.91%
AIT
Applied Industrial Technologies
254.41
47.13
22.74%
WSO
Watsco
472.98
-21.09
-4.27%
SITE
SiteOne Landscape Supply
121.97
-18.26
-13.02%
CNM
Core & Main
60.10
8.99
17.59%
FERG
Ferguson PLC
217.50
10.38
5.01%

Pool Corporate Events

Private Placements and FinancingBusiness Operations and Strategy
Pool Corporation Amends Credit Agreement for Flexibility
Positive
Jul 14, 2025

On July 10, 2025, Pool Corporation entered into a Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, which involved refinancing a $500 million term loan, extending its maturity to September 30, 2029, and removing a Term SOFR adjustment. The agreement maintains an $800 million unsecured revolving credit facility and includes features like an accordion feature for additional loans and the option to extend the maturity date. Additionally, Pool Corporation executed a Fourth Amendment to a separate Credit Agreement, aligning its maturity with the new agreement. These financial adjustments aim to enhance the company’s liquidity and financial flexibility, potentially impacting its operations and market positioning.

The most recent analyst rating on (POOL) stock is a Hold with a $360.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Pool stock, see the POOL Stock Forecast page.

Shareholder MeetingsStock BuybackDividends
Pool Corporation Increases Share Repurchase and Dividend
Positive
Apr 30, 2025

On April 30, 2025, Pool Corporation held its Annual Meeting of Stockholders where nine directors were elected for a one-year term, and Ernst & Young LLP was ratified as the independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year 2025. The company also announced an increase in its share repurchase program to $600 million and a 4% rise in its quarterly cash dividend to $1.25 per share, reflecting the Board’s commitment to returning capital to shareholders. These strategic moves are expected to enhance Pool Corporation’s market position and shareholder value.

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Pool Corporation Reports Q1 2025 Financial Results
Neutral
Apr 24, 2025

On April 24, 2025, Pool Corporation reported its first-quarter results, showing net sales of $1.1 billion, a 4% decrease from the previous year. Despite challenges such as weather impacts and inflationary pressures, the company confirmed its annual earnings guidance range, highlighting strategic initiatives like expanding its sales center network and enhancing its digital platform. These efforts aim to strengthen its market position and customer experience, although net income and earnings per share saw a decline compared to the previous year.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Jul 15, 2025