Leslie's, Inc. (NASDAQ:LESL) Given Consensus Rating of "Reduce" by Analysts

Shares of Leslie's, Inc. (NASDAQ:LESL - Get Free Report) have received an average recommendation of "Reduce" from the eleven brokerages that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation and nine have given a hold recommendation to the company. The average 12-month target price among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $2.83.

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Robert W. Baird decreased their target price on shares of Leslie's from $4.00 to $3.50 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, November 26th. William Blair reiterated a "market perform" rating on shares of Leslie's in a report on Tuesday, November 26th. Bank of America cut Leslie's from a "buy" rating to an "underperform" rating and reduced their price objective for the company from $2.65 to $1.40 in a research report on Tuesday. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price objective on Leslie's from $1.90 to $1.55 and set a "sell" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, February 7th. Finally, Telsey Advisory Group lowered their price target on shares of Leslie's from $3.75 to $3.00 and set a "market perform" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, February 7th.

Leslie's Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:LESL traded down $0.06 on Friday, reaching $1.42. 8,659,961 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 6,358,678. The company's 50 day moving average is $2.07 and its 200-day moving average is $2.57. The stock has a market capitalization of $263.02 million, a PE ratio of -9.47 and a beta of 1.10. Leslie's has a fifty-two week low of $1.40 and a fifty-two week high of $8.05.

Leslie's (NASDAQ:LESL - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported ($0.23) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of ($0.21) by ($0.02). Leslie's had a negative net margin of 2.13% and a negative return on equity of 6.11%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Leslie's

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in LESL. Ariel Investments LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Leslie's by 8.5% in the 4th quarter. Ariel Investments LLC now owns 50,527,789 shares of the company's stock valued at $112,677,000 after buying an additional 3,975,268 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp lifted its stake in Leslie's by 7.7% during the third quarter. State Street Corp now owns 8,406,377 shares of the company's stock worth $26,564,000 after purchasing an additional 601,177 shares during the last quarter. Private Management Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Leslie's by 121.3% in the 3rd quarter. Private Management Group Inc. now owns 5,569,278 shares of the company's stock valued at $17,599,000 after purchasing an additional 3,052,539 shares in the last quarter. Lind Value II ApS bought a new stake in Leslie's during the 4th quarter worth $10,258,000. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC increased its position in Leslie's by 2.2% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 4,226,600 shares of the company's stock valued at $9,428,000 after acquiring an additional 91,898 shares during the period.

Leslie's Company Profile

Leslie's, Inc operates as a direct-to-consumer pool and spa care brand in the United States. The company markets and sells pool and spa supplies and related products and services. It also offers various pool and spa maintenance items, such as chemicals, equipment and parts, cleaning and maintenance equipment, safety, recreational, and fitness related products.