Pool Co. (NASDAQ:POOL) Shares Acquired by Tower Research Capital LLC TRC

Tower Research Capital LLC TRC lifted its stake in Pool Co. (NASDAQ:POOL - Free Report) by 198.2% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 3,614 shares of the specialty retailer's stock after acquiring an additional 2,402 shares during the quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC's holdings in Pool were worth $1,232,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Rakuten Securities Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Pool by 2,300.0% during the 4th quarter. Rakuten Securities Inc. now owns 72 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 69 shares in the last quarter. Atala Financial Inc bought a new position in shares of Pool in the fourth quarter worth about $29,000. Sierra Ocean LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Pool during the fourth quarter worth about $30,000. Private Trust Co. NA raised its stake in Pool by 76.9% during the 4th quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 138 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $47,000 after purchasing an additional 60 shares during the period. Finally, Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB purchased a new position in Pool in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $60,000. 98.99% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Pool news, Director De La Mesa Manuel J. Perez sold 10,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Monday, February 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $346.00, for a total transaction of $3,460,000.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 62,577 shares in the company, valued at $21,651,642. This represents a 13.78 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, SVP Jennifer M. Neil sold 1,223 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $315.00, for a total value of $385,245.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 9,667 shares of the company's stock, valued at $3,045,105. This trade represents a 11.23 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 3.00% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have commented on POOL shares. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Pool from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a report on Friday, February 28th. Stephens reduced their price objective on Pool from $400.00 to $350.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday. Robert W. Baird cut their target price on shares of Pool from $325.00 to $310.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Friday. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft initiated coverage on shares of Pool in a research note on Tuesday, April 1st. They set a "hold" rating and a $344.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on shares of Pool from $360.00 to $315.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, April 14th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Pool presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $341.22.

Pool Price Performance

Shares of POOL stock traded down $0.26 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $291.33. 515,576 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 383,018. The company has a quick ratio of 0.77, a current ratio of 2.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. Pool Co. has a 52-week low of $284.28 and a 52-week high of $395.60. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $322.55 and a 200 day moving average of $343.91. The company has a market cap of $10.99 billion, a PE ratio of 25.83, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.03 and a beta of 1.13.

Pool (NASDAQ:POOL - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, April 24th. The specialty retailer reported $1.32 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.42 by ($0.10). Pool had a return on equity of 31.11% and a net margin of 8.18%. The company had revenue of $1.07 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $1.10 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.85 EPS. The firm's revenue for the quarter was down 4.4% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts anticipate that Pool Co. will post 11.32 earnings per share for the current year.

Pool Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 26th. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 12th were given a dividend of $1.20 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, March 12th. This represents a $4.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.65%. Pool's payout ratio is 45.03%.

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.