Pool Corp. Appoints John Watwood as New CEO
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 6 days ago
0mins
Should l Buy POOL?
Pool Corp. (POOL) announced that its board of directors has appointed John Watwood as president and CEO, effective May 4. Peter Arvan will step down as president and CEO and as a member of the company's board of directors on the same date. John Stokely, chair of the board, has also been appointed as executive chair. Watwood joined the company as executive VP in January. Prior to his transition to Pool Corp., Watwood most recently served as senior VP of sales and operations at Motion Industries, a subsidiary of Genuine Parts Company (GPC).
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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: 190.440
Low
240.00
Averages
304.29
High
360.00
Current: 190.440
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.
Pool Corp Appoints New CEO and Chairman
- Leadership Change: Pool Corp appointed John B. Watwood as CEO effective May 4, 2026, succeeding Peter D. Arvan, which signifies a major shift in the executive team aimed at driving future strategic initiatives.
- Board Restructuring: John E. Stokely has been named executive chair of the board, enhancing corporate governance while providing stronger support for the new CEO to tackle upcoming market challenges.
- Financial Guidance Reaffirmed: The company reaffirmed its 2026 financial guidance, projecting diluted EPS in the range of $10.87 to $11.17, reflecting confidence in future performance and emphasizing a productivity-first expansion strategy.
- Performance Exceeds Expectations: In Q1 2026, Pool Corp reported a non-GAAP EPS of $1.43, beating estimates by $0.08, with revenue of $1.14 billion exceeding expectations by $40 million, indicating strong performance in the current market environment.
See More
POOLCORP Appoints New President and CEO Amid Leadership Transition
- Leadership Transition: POOLCORP has appointed John B. Watwood as the new President and CEO, succeeding Peter D. Arvan, who has served for nine years and will remain on the Board, indicating a significant leadership shift in the company's strategic execution.
- Experienced Leader: Watwood brings over 20 years of industry experience, having served as Senior Vice President at Motion Industries where he led sales and operations, and is expected to leverage his extensive operational and sales expertise to drive future growth for the company.
- Strategic Priorities: Board Chair John E. Stokely stated that Watwood's appointment is based on the respect and trust he has earned within the company, aiming to ensure success in ongoing strategic priorities and enhance shareholder returns.
- Investor Day Postponed: POOLCORP has postponed its Investor Day originally scheduled for May 12, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona, with a new date to be confirmed and communicated to registered attendees, reflecting the company's flexibility in strategic communications.
See More
POOL CORPORATION REVEALS CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP
Leadership Transition: Pool Corporation has announced a leadership transition within its organization.
New Leadership: The company is set to appoint new leaders to guide its future direction and strategy.
See More
Berkshire Hathaway Faces Changes After Buffett's Departure
- Leadership Change: Warren Buffett's resignation as CEO marks a significant shift for Berkshire Hathaway, with new CEO Greg Abel taking the helm for the first time in sixty years, potentially impacting the company's investment strategy and market confidence.
- Portfolio Adjustment: Abel has reportedly sold all stocks managed by former investment lieutenant Todd Combs, amounting to approximately $15 billion, indicating a decisive move by the new CEO that may lead to a shift in the company's investment style.
- Core Holdings Strategy: In his letter to shareholders, Abel identified nine 'core holdings' that he implied would see limited activity unless there are fundamental changes in their long-term economic prospects, suggesting a potential reduction in Berkshire's investment activity.
- Market Reaction Anticipation: Investors will gain insights into Berkshire's stock transactions for Q1 in the upcoming 10-Q filing due by May 2, which will provide crucial clues about Abel's future investment direction, although it may take several quarters to fully divest Combs' investments.
See More
Berkshire's New CEO Signals Portfolio Changes After Combs Departure
- Executive Shift Impact: Todd Combs, one of Buffett's top investment managers, has left for JPMorgan Chase, resulting in new CEO Greg Abel taking control of most of the portfolio, potentially affecting around $15 billion in asset allocation, reflecting significant changes in the company's governance structure.
- Portfolio Scale: Berkshire's total investment portfolio is approximately $322 billion, with Combs managing over 5% of it, equating to at least $16 billion, highlighting his importance in the company's investment strategy.
- Investment Strategy Shift: In his letter to shareholders, Abel indicated a commitment to maintaining core holdings, suggesting a potential shift towards a more passive investment strategy with fewer quarterly changes, which may alter investor expectations regarding the company's activity level.
- Market Reaction Expectations: While Abel stated that Ted Weschler would continue managing 6% of the portfolio, market uncertainty remains regarding Berkshire's future investment direction, prompting investors to closely monitor the upcoming first-quarter 10-Q report for more insights.
See More
POOL Corporation Q1 2026 Earnings Call Insights
- Solid Sales Growth: Pool Corporation reported a 6% increase in sales and a 7% rise in operating income for Q1 2026, exceeding expectations, indicating strong maintenance activity amidst measured consumer discretionary demand, which reflects the company's stability in the market.
- Earnings Per Share Confirmation: Management confirmed the full-year diluted earnings per share guidance of $10.87 to $11.17, including a $0.02 ASU benefit realized in Q1, showcasing the company's confidence in its future performance.
- Optimized Inventory Management: As of the end of Q1, inventory stood at $1.7 billion, a 14% increase year-over-year, indicating proactive inventory strategies to support the upcoming sales surge during peak seasons.
- Slight Margin Decline: The gross margin for Q1 was 29%, down approximately 20 basis points from the prior year, with management emphasizing a continued focus on cost control and efficiency improvements to navigate market challenges.
See More
Pool Corp Appoints New CEO and Chairman
- Leadership Change: Pool Corp appointed John B. Watwood as CEO effective May 4, 2026, succeeding Peter D. Arvan, which signifies a major shift in the executive team aimed at driving future strategic initiatives.
- Board Restructuring: John E. Stokely has been named executive chair of the board, enhancing corporate governance while providing stronger support for the new CEO to tackle upcoming market challenges.
- Financial Guidance Reaffirmed: The company reaffirmed its 2026 financial guidance, projecting diluted EPS in the range of $10.87 to $11.17, reflecting confidence in future performance and emphasizing a productivity-first expansion strategy.
- Performance Exceeds Expectations: In Q1 2026, Pool Corp reported a non-GAAP EPS of $1.43, beating estimates by $0.08, with revenue of $1.14 billion exceeding expectations by $40 million, indicating strong performance in the current market environment.
See More
POOLCORP Appoints New President and CEO Amid Leadership Transition
- Leadership Transition: POOLCORP has appointed John B. Watwood as the new President and CEO, succeeding Peter D. Arvan, who has served for nine years and will remain on the Board, indicating a significant leadership shift in the company's strategic execution.
- Experienced Leader: Watwood brings over 20 years of industry experience, having served as Senior Vice President at Motion Industries where he led sales and operations, and is expected to leverage his extensive operational and sales expertise to drive future growth for the company.
- Strategic Priorities: Board Chair John E. Stokely stated that Watwood's appointment is based on the respect and trust he has earned within the company, aiming to ensure success in ongoing strategic priorities and enhance shareholder returns.
- Investor Day Postponed: POOLCORP has postponed its Investor Day originally scheduled for May 12, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona, with a new date to be confirmed and communicated to registered attendees, reflecting the company's flexibility in strategic communications.
See More
POOL CORPORATION REVEALS CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP
Leadership Transition: Pool Corporation has announced a leadership transition within its organization.
New Leadership: The company is set to appoint new leaders to guide its future direction and strategy.
See More
Berkshire Hathaway Faces Changes After Buffett's Departure
- Leadership Change: Warren Buffett's resignation as CEO marks a significant shift for Berkshire Hathaway, with new CEO Greg Abel taking the helm for the first time in sixty years, potentially impacting the company's investment strategy and market confidence.
- Portfolio Adjustment: Abel has reportedly sold all stocks managed by former investment lieutenant Todd Combs, amounting to approximately $15 billion, indicating a decisive move by the new CEO that may lead to a shift in the company's investment style.
- Core Holdings Strategy: In his letter to shareholders, Abel identified nine 'core holdings' that he implied would see limited activity unless there are fundamental changes in their long-term economic prospects, suggesting a potential reduction in Berkshire's investment activity.
- Market Reaction Anticipation: Investors will gain insights into Berkshire's stock transactions for Q1 in the upcoming 10-Q filing due by May 2, which will provide crucial clues about Abel's future investment direction, although it may take several quarters to fully divest Combs' investments.
See More
Berkshire's New CEO Signals Portfolio Changes After Combs Departure
- Executive Shift Impact: Todd Combs, one of Buffett's top investment managers, has left for JPMorgan Chase, resulting in new CEO Greg Abel taking control of most of the portfolio, potentially affecting around $15 billion in asset allocation, reflecting significant changes in the company's governance structure.
- Portfolio Scale: Berkshire's total investment portfolio is approximately $322 billion, with Combs managing over 5% of it, equating to at least $16 billion, highlighting his importance in the company's investment strategy.
- Investment Strategy Shift: In his letter to shareholders, Abel indicated a commitment to maintaining core holdings, suggesting a potential shift towards a more passive investment strategy with fewer quarterly changes, which may alter investor expectations regarding the company's activity level.
- Market Reaction Expectations: While Abel stated that Ted Weschler would continue managing 6% of the portfolio, market uncertainty remains regarding Berkshire's future investment direction, prompting investors to closely monitor the upcoming first-quarter 10-Q report for more insights.
See More
POOL Corporation Q1 2026 Earnings Call Insights
- Solid Sales Growth: Pool Corporation reported a 6% increase in sales and a 7% rise in operating income for Q1 2026, exceeding expectations, indicating strong maintenance activity amidst measured consumer discretionary demand, which reflects the company's stability in the market.
- Earnings Per Share Confirmation: Management confirmed the full-year diluted earnings per share guidance of $10.87 to $11.17, including a $0.02 ASU benefit realized in Q1, showcasing the company's confidence in its future performance.
- Optimized Inventory Management: As of the end of Q1, inventory stood at $1.7 billion, a 14% increase year-over-year, indicating proactive inventory strategies to support the upcoming sales surge during peak seasons.
- Slight Margin Decline: The gross margin for Q1 was 29%, down approximately 20 basis points from the prior year, with management emphasizing a continued focus on cost control and efficiency improvements to navigate market challenges.
See More
