POOL Corporation Q4 Earnings Miss Expectations
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 19 2026
0mins
Should l Buy POOL?
Source: seekingalpha
Pool Corporation's stock fell 12.77% as it hit a 52-week low amid disappointing earnings results.
The company reported a Q4 GAAP EPS of $0.85, missing expectations by $0.12, which indicates pressure on profitability that could affect investor confidence. Additionally, revenue declined slightly by 0.5% year-over-year to $982.2 million, falling short of expectations, reflecting weak market demand. Despite a cautious outlook for 2026, with anticipated earnings between $10.85 and $11.15 per diluted share, concerns about short-term performance may impact the stock price further.
This disappointing performance highlights the challenges Pool Corporation faces in a fluctuating market, and investors may need to reassess their expectations for the company's growth trajectory moving forward.
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Analyst Views on POOL
Wall Street analysts forecast POOL stock price to rise
10 Analyst Rating
3 Buy
6 Hold
1 Sell
Hold
Current: 208.880
Low
240.00
Averages
304.29
High
360.00
Current: 208.880
Low
240.00
Averages
304.29
High
360.00
About POOL
Pool Corporation is a wholesale distributor of swimming pool supplies, equipment, and related leisure products. The Company also distributes irrigation and landscape products in the United States. The Company operates approximately 448 sales centers in North America, Europe, and Australia through its five distribution networks: SCP Distributors (SCP), Superior Pool Products (Superior), Horizon Distributors (Horizon), National Pool Tile (NPT), and Sun Wholesale Supply (Sun Wholesale). The Company distributes swimming pool supplies, equipment, and related leisure products domestically through its SCP and Superior sales center networks through SCP network. Its Horizon sales centers offer organic fertilizers, organic pesticides, and irrigation and drainage products that reduce water usage and soil erosion. Sun Wholesale distributes swimming pool supplies, equipment, and related leisure products, primarily servicing independently owned and operated Pinch A Penny, Inc. franchise locations.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Steadfast Sells Entire Stake in Pool Corporation
- Share Sale Details: Steadfast Capital Management LP disclosed in a recent SEC filing that it sold 504,418 shares of Pool Corporation, with an estimated transaction value of $156.40 million, indicating a significant loss of confidence in the stock.
- Asset Management Shift: This sale resulted in a $156.40 million decline in the fund's quarter-end position value, reducing its stake in Pool Corporation from 2.7% to zero, highlighting a major shift in asset allocation strategy.
- Market Performance Analysis: As of March 4, 2026, Pool Corporation shares were priced at $220.31, down 36% year-over-year, underperforming the S&P 500 by 53 percentage points, reflecting a lack of market confidence in the company.
- Investor Strategy Reflection: While Steadfast opted to sell during Pool's cyclical downturn, analysts believe the company still possesses long-term growth potential due to strong demand in maintenance and renovation markets, making it a candidate for long-term holding.
See More
Steadfast Capital Fully Exits Pool Corporation Position
- Complete Exit: On February 17, 2026, Steadfast Capital Management reported to the SEC that it sold its entire holding in Pool Corporation, totaling 504,418 shares, with an estimated transaction value of approximately $156.4 million, resulting in a corresponding decrease in Pool's market value at quarter-end, highlighting its unfavorable market performance.
- Asset Allocation Shift: This transaction reduced Steadfast's Pool stake from 2.7% of its AUM to zero, indicating a loss of confidence in Pool's future performance and reflecting a strategic reallocation towards other investments, potentially to mitigate market risks.
- Poor Market Performance: As of March 4, 2026, Pool's share price stood at $220.31, down 36% year-over-year, significantly underperforming the S&P 500 by 53 percentage points, suggesting challenges to the company's competitiveness in the current economic environment, necessitating cautious evaluation of its future growth potential by investors.
- Investor Sentiment: Despite Steadfast's decision to exit, analysts believe Pool maintains a dominant position in its niche, with 86% of revenue derived from non-discretionary spending, indicating a relatively stable business model, making long-term holding attractive, especially given the current depressed stock price.
See More
Steadfast Capital Exits Pool Corporation Position with $156 Million Sale
- Position Liquidation: On February 17, 2026, Steadfast Capital Management LP reported the complete sale of its Pool Corporation holdings, reducing its stake by 504,418 shares, with an estimated transaction value of approximately $156.40 million, indicating a loss of confidence in the stock.
- AUM Impact: This sale reduced Pool Corporation's representation in Steadfast's assets under management from 2.7% to zero, reflecting investor concerns about the company's future performance, which could negatively impact market sentiment towards the stock.
- Poor Stock Performance: As of March 4, 2026, Pool Corporation shares were priced at $220.31, down 36% year-over-year and underperforming the S&P 500 by 53 percentage points, highlighting a decline in its competitive position in the market.
- Investor Strategy Shift: Despite Steadfast's exit, analysts note that Pool's 2.3% dividend yield and the fact that 86% of its revenue comes from non-discretionary spending suggest that the stock remains attractive for long-term holders, potentially drawing in other investors at this discounted price.
See More
Wedgewood Partners Fully Exits Pool Corporation Position
- Complete Exit: Wedgewood Partners fully divested its position in Pool Corporation during Q4 2026, selling 32,322 shares worth $10.02 million, indicating a cautious outlook on the company's future performance.
- Stock Performance: As of February 17, 2026, Pool's shares were priced at $255.46, down 24.4% over the past year, significantly underperforming the S&P 500 by 36.5 percentage points, reflecting market concerns about its growth prospects.
- Financial Overview: Pool Corporation reported $5.3 billion in sales for 2025 with a steady gross margin of 29.7%, but net income fell by 4% year-over-year, highlighting challenges as the company navigates a normalization phase post-pandemic.
- Investor Focus: While Pool's scale and extensive sales center network provide leverage, future growth hinges on the stability of housing turnover and backyard renovation trends, requiring investors to exercise patience amid uncertainty.
See More
Pool Corporation Declares $1.25 Quarterly Dividend Amidst Low Growth Outlook
- Quarterly Dividend Declaration: Pool Corporation has declared a quarterly dividend of $1.25 per share, consistent with previous distributions, indicating the company's ongoing ability to maintain stable cash flow despite market challenges.
- Dividend Yield: The forward yield of 2.33% reflects investor expectations for stable returns, highlighting the company's attractiveness in the current economic environment while signaling confidence in its financial health.
- Payment Schedule: The dividend is payable on March 26, with a record date of March 12 and an ex-dividend date also on March 12, ensuring shareholders receive timely returns and bolstering shareholder confidence.
- Future Performance Outlook: Although Pool Corporation anticipates low single-digit sales growth for 2026 and sets an EPS target between $10.85 and $11.15, the advancement of its digital and operational initiatives may lay the groundwork for future growth opportunities.
See More
Economists Predict No End to Tariffs Anytime Soon
- Recent Commentary: Money managers, research firms, and market newsletter writers have issued a commentary that has been edited by Barron's.
- Market Insights: The commentary provides insights and perspectives on current market trends and investment strategies.
See More
Steadfast Sells Entire Stake in Pool Corporation
- Share Sale Details: Steadfast Capital Management LP disclosed in a recent SEC filing that it sold 504,418 shares of Pool Corporation, with an estimated transaction value of $156.40 million, indicating a significant loss of confidence in the stock.
- Asset Management Shift: This sale resulted in a $156.40 million decline in the fund's quarter-end position value, reducing its stake in Pool Corporation from 2.7% to zero, highlighting a major shift in asset allocation strategy.
- Market Performance Analysis: As of March 4, 2026, Pool Corporation shares were priced at $220.31, down 36% year-over-year, underperforming the S&P 500 by 53 percentage points, reflecting a lack of market confidence in the company.
- Investor Strategy Reflection: While Steadfast opted to sell during Pool's cyclical downturn, analysts believe the company still possesses long-term growth potential due to strong demand in maintenance and renovation markets, making it a candidate for long-term holding.
See More
Steadfast Capital Fully Exits Pool Corporation Position
- Complete Exit: On February 17, 2026, Steadfast Capital Management reported to the SEC that it sold its entire holding in Pool Corporation, totaling 504,418 shares, with an estimated transaction value of approximately $156.4 million, resulting in a corresponding decrease in Pool's market value at quarter-end, highlighting its unfavorable market performance.
- Asset Allocation Shift: This transaction reduced Steadfast's Pool stake from 2.7% of its AUM to zero, indicating a loss of confidence in Pool's future performance and reflecting a strategic reallocation towards other investments, potentially to mitigate market risks.
- Poor Market Performance: As of March 4, 2026, Pool's share price stood at $220.31, down 36% year-over-year, significantly underperforming the S&P 500 by 53 percentage points, suggesting challenges to the company's competitiveness in the current economic environment, necessitating cautious evaluation of its future growth potential by investors.
- Investor Sentiment: Despite Steadfast's decision to exit, analysts believe Pool maintains a dominant position in its niche, with 86% of revenue derived from non-discretionary spending, indicating a relatively stable business model, making long-term holding attractive, especially given the current depressed stock price.
See More
Steadfast Capital Exits Pool Corporation Position with $156 Million Sale
- Position Liquidation: On February 17, 2026, Steadfast Capital Management LP reported the complete sale of its Pool Corporation holdings, reducing its stake by 504,418 shares, with an estimated transaction value of approximately $156.40 million, indicating a loss of confidence in the stock.
- AUM Impact: This sale reduced Pool Corporation's representation in Steadfast's assets under management from 2.7% to zero, reflecting investor concerns about the company's future performance, which could negatively impact market sentiment towards the stock.
- Poor Stock Performance: As of March 4, 2026, Pool Corporation shares were priced at $220.31, down 36% year-over-year and underperforming the S&P 500 by 53 percentage points, highlighting a decline in its competitive position in the market.
- Investor Strategy Shift: Despite Steadfast's exit, analysts note that Pool's 2.3% dividend yield and the fact that 86% of its revenue comes from non-discretionary spending suggest that the stock remains attractive for long-term holders, potentially drawing in other investors at this discounted price.
See More
Wedgewood Partners Fully Exits Pool Corporation Position
- Complete Exit: Wedgewood Partners fully divested its position in Pool Corporation during Q4 2026, selling 32,322 shares worth $10.02 million, indicating a cautious outlook on the company's future performance.
- Stock Performance: As of February 17, 2026, Pool's shares were priced at $255.46, down 24.4% over the past year, significantly underperforming the S&P 500 by 36.5 percentage points, reflecting market concerns about its growth prospects.
- Financial Overview: Pool Corporation reported $5.3 billion in sales for 2025 with a steady gross margin of 29.7%, but net income fell by 4% year-over-year, highlighting challenges as the company navigates a normalization phase post-pandemic.
- Investor Focus: While Pool's scale and extensive sales center network provide leverage, future growth hinges on the stability of housing turnover and backyard renovation trends, requiring investors to exercise patience amid uncertainty.
See More
Pool Corporation Declares $1.25 Quarterly Dividend Amidst Low Growth Outlook
- Quarterly Dividend Declaration: Pool Corporation has declared a quarterly dividend of $1.25 per share, consistent with previous distributions, indicating the company's ongoing ability to maintain stable cash flow despite market challenges.
- Dividend Yield: The forward yield of 2.33% reflects investor expectations for stable returns, highlighting the company's attractiveness in the current economic environment while signaling confidence in its financial health.
- Payment Schedule: The dividend is payable on March 26, with a record date of March 12 and an ex-dividend date also on March 12, ensuring shareholders receive timely returns and bolstering shareholder confidence.
- Future Performance Outlook: Although Pool Corporation anticipates low single-digit sales growth for 2026 and sets an EPS target between $10.85 and $11.15, the advancement of its digital and operational initiatives may lay the groundwork for future growth opportunities.
See More
Economists Predict No End to Tariffs Anytime Soon
- Recent Commentary: Money managers, research firms, and market newsletter writers have issued a commentary that has been edited by Barron's.
- Market Insights: The commentary provides insights and perspectives on current market trends and investment strategies.
See More
