With a market cap of $7.3 billion, Pool Corporation (POOL) is a leading distributor of swimming pool supplies, equipment, and related outdoor living products, serving customers across the United States and international markets. The company offers a comprehensive range of products, including pool maintenance chemicals, repair and replacement parts, construction materials, irrigation equipment, fiberglass pools, hot tubs, and outdoor kitchen components.
Companies valued less than $10 billion are generally considered “mid-cap” stocks, and Pool Corporation fits this criterion perfectly. Pool Corporation serves pool builders, remodelers, retailers, service providers, landscape contractors, and commercial pool operators.
Shares of the Covington, Louisiana-based company have pulled back 42.3% from its 52-week high of $345. The stock has fallen 3.3% over the past three months, underperforming the broader Nasdaq Composite’s ($NASX) 20% increase in the same period.
Shares of Pool Corporation have declined 13% on a YTD basis, lagging behind NASX’s 14.1% return. In the longer term, the stock has dropped 30.2% over the past 52 weeks, compared to NASX's 35.7% surge.
Despite a few fluctuations, POOL stock had been trading below its 50-day and 200-day moving averages since last year.
Pool Corporation shares fell 2.4% on Apr. 23 despite reporting solid Q1 2026 results, with net sales increasing 6% to $1.1 billion and operating income rising 7% to $82.6 million. Investors were concerned that gross margin declined 20 basis points to 29% due to a higher mix of lower-margin equipment sales and customer early-buy purchases. Additionally, net income edged down to $53.2 million from $53.5 million a year earlier as higher interest expense offset much of the company's operating profit growth.
In comparison, rival W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) has outpaced POOL stock. GWW stock has soared 35.3% on a YTD basis and nearly 31% over the past 52 weeks.
Despite the stock’s underperformance, analysts are moderately optimistic about its prospects. POOL stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” from the 15 analysts covering it, and the mean price target of $259.55 is a premium of 30.4% to current levels.
