Pool Co. (NASDAQ:POOL) Stake Raised by Fisher Asset Management LLC

Fisher Asset Management LLC grew its position in shares of Pool Co. (NASDAQ:POOL - Free Report) by 15.9% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 193,034 shares of the specialty retailer's stock after purchasing an additional 26,521 shares during the period. Fisher Asset Management LLC owned approximately 0.51% of Pool worth $65,813,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Brooklyn Investment Group acquired a new stake in shares of Pool during the third quarter worth approximately $31,000. Sierra Ocean LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Pool during the fourth quarter worth approximately $30,000. Private Trust Co. NA grew its position in shares of Pool by 76.9% during the fourth quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 138 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $47,000 after buying an additional 60 shares in the last quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB acquired a new stake in shares of Pool during the third quarter worth approximately $60,000. Finally, YANKCOM Partnership acquired a new stake in shares of Pool during the fourth quarter worth approximately $61,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 98.99% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity at Pool

In related news, Director De La Mesa Manuel J. Perez sold 10,000 shares of Pool stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $346.00, for a total transaction of $3,460,000.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 62,577 shares in the company, valued at $21,651,642. The trade was a 13.78 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Company insiders own 3.00% of the company's stock.

Pool Stock Performance

POOL stock traded up $2.63 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $343.92. The company had a trading volume of 340,358 shares, compared to its average volume of 394,635. The company has a quick ratio of 0.77, a current ratio of 2.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. The stock has a market capitalization of $13.09 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.49, a P/E/G ratio of 2.03 and a beta of 1.03. Pool Co. has a one year low of $293.51 and a one year high of $422.73. The stock's 50-day simple moving average is $342.71 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $355.59.

Pool (NASDAQ:POOL - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, February 20th. The specialty retailer reported $0.97 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.89 by $0.08. The company had revenue of $987.48 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $961.04 million. Pool had a return on equity of 31.11% and a net margin of 8.18%. Research analysts anticipate that Pool Co. will post 11.32 EPS for the current year.

Pool Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 26th. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 12th will be paid a dividend of $1.20 per share. This represents a $4.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.40%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 12th. Pool's dividend payout ratio is currently 42.55%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Pool from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research report on Friday, February 28th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on shares of Pool from $370.00 to $360.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $368.00.

About Pool

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.