Pool CorporationNasdaq: POOL
Consumer Discretionary · Distributors
$198.98
+2.39%
Vol: 981K
Research Digest
Friday, June 19, 2026
Pool Corp to be removed from S&P 500 effective June 22 as Marvell and Flex replace it; stock down 20.8% over past six months despite Q1 beat.
S&P Dow Jones Indices announced on June 5, 2026 that Pool Corporation (POOL) will be removed from the S&P 500 index before the open on June 22, 2026, replaced by Marvell Technology. The stock has fallen 20.8% over six months to around $190, despite Q1 2026 results that beat estimates with net sales of $1.14 billion (up 6.2% YoY), maintenance demand remaining resilient, and EPS guidance confirmed. The board expanded its share repurchase program to $600 million and raised the quarterly dividend 4% to $1.30 per share. Pool Corp participated in five investor conferences in June 2026 including events by Stifel, Baird, and Wells Fargo. The index removal will force passive fund selling and may create further near-term price pressure.
Previous Market Intelligence
13 daysJun 18No significant overnight updatesNeutral▶
No material news in the last 48 hours.
Jun 17No significant overnight updatesNeutral▶
No material news in the last 48 hours.
Jun 16No significant overnight updatesNeutral▶
No material news in the last 48 hours.
Jun 15Pool Corp shares are rebounding from 52-week lows even as the company prepares to be removed from the S&P 500 effective June 22, with insider buying and a larger buyback aiding sentiment.Mixed▶
Pool Corporation (POOL) shares are rebounding after hitting 52-week lows on news that it will be removed from the S&P 500 index effective June 22, 2026, being replaced (alongside Conagra) by Marvell Technology and Flex. The stock has risen about 5.1% over the past week and 11.2% over the past month, though it remains down roughly 15% year to date and 31% over the past year. The rebound is supported by improving sector sentiment, significant insider buying by Director Manuel J. Perez, and the Board's increase of the share repurchase program to $600.0 million. The Board also declared a quarterly dividend of $1.30 per share, a 4% increase. Q1 results were resilient, with sales up 6% and full-year EPS guidance maintained at $10.9–$11.2. The bear case is that index removal can trigger forced selling by passive funds, while analysts cite weak growth and profitability metrics as ongoing headwinds.
Jun 14No significant overnight updatesNeutral▶
No material news in the last 48 hours.
May 21No significant overnight updatesNeutral▶
No material news in the last 48 hours.
May 20Pool Corp named John Watwood CEO effective May 4 and postponed Investor Day as shares hit 52-week low following Stifel downgrade.Mixed▶
Pool Corporation appointed John B. Watwood as President and CEO effective May 4, 2026, succeeding Peter Arvan, with John Stokely named Executive Chair. Watwood had joined as EVP in January 2026 with 20+ years in industrial and specialty distribution. The company postponed its May 12 Investor Day in Phoenix to a date TBD. Shares hit a 52-week low of $182.44 on May 12 after Stifel Nicolaus cut its price target to $210 from $240 (Hold rating). The board declared a $1.30 quarterly dividend (4% increase) payable May 28. Director James Hope purchased 464 shares at $194.42 on May 7, and another insider bought ~$1.76M in shares on May 14 at ~$175. Full-year 2026 guidance was reaffirmed from the April 23 earnings release.
May 19Pool Corp named John B. Watwood CEO effective May 4 as Peter Arvan stepped down, with shares hitting a 52-week low of $182.44 after Stifel cut PT to $210.Mixed▶
Pool Corporation appointed John B. Watwood, who joined as EVP in January 2026, as President and CEO effective May 4, 2026, succeeding Peter D. Arvan who stepped down from all executive and board roles. John E. Stokely was named Executive Chair, and the board declared a quarterly cash dividend of $1.30 per share (up 4%) payable May 28. The Investor Day previously scheduled for May 12 in Phoenix was postponed; the company reaffirmed full-year 2026 guidance. Shares hit a new 52-week low of $182.44 on May 12 after Stifel Nicolaus cut its PT to $210 from $240 (Hold). Mean consensus PT sits near $260.5 vs. recent prices near $175. Insider buying was active: an insider bought ~$1.76M of stock on May 14 near $175.24, James D. Hope acquired $90,208 at $194.42 on May 7, and Manuel Perez de la Mesa bought ~10K shares near $190 — the largest insider purchase in three months.
May 18No significant overnight updatesNeutral▶
No material news in the last 48 hours.
May 15Pool Corp hit 52-week low of $181 despite Q1 beat, new CEO appointment, and 4% dividend hikeMixed▶
Pool Corp shares hit a 52-week low of $181.05 and traded at $176.44 on May 14 despite a Q1 beat - EPS of $1.43 vs $1.35 forecast and revenue of $1.14B vs $1.10B estimate. The board declared a $1.30 quarterly dividend (up 4% from $1.25) payable May 28 and appointed John B. Watwood as new President and CEO, succeeding Peter D. Arvan, with John E. Stokely named Executive Chair. Director James D. Hope bought 464 shares for $90,208 on May 7 at $194.42 average. The company hosted Investor Day on May 12 in Phoenix. Recent analyst downgrades pushed shares to 12-month lows even as fundamentals improved.
May 14Pool Corp shares hit 12-month low on May 12 after Stifel downgrade and analyst PT cuts amid CEO transition.Negative▶
POOL shares hit a fresh 12-month low on May 12, 2026 following an analyst downgrade and Stifel's PT cut to $210 from $240, citing concerns over the recent leadership transition. On May 4, John B. Watwood was appointed President and CEO, succeeding Peter D. Arvan, with John E. Stokely named Executive Chair; the board also raised the quarterly dividend to $1.30/share. Pool Corp's Investor Day, originally slated for May 12 in Phoenix, was postponed (new date TBD). Notable insider buying offset some pessimism: Director James D. Hope bought 464 shares at ~$194.41 (~$90,208) on May 7, Stokely bought 1,000 shares the same day, and Director David Whalen purchased 525 shares for ~$99,981. Q1 2026 revenue was $1.14B (+6.2% YoY) with EPS $1.43 beating $1.34 consensus; full-year guidance reaffirmed.
May 13Pool Corp shares hit a 12-month low May 12 after Stifel cut its price target to $210 from $240 and the company postponed its Investor Day amid a fresh CEO transition naming John Watwood effective May 4.Negative▶
On May 4, 2026, Pool Corporation appointed John B. Watwood as President and CEO, with Peter D. Arvan stepping down from executive and director roles, and named John E. Stokely Executive Chair. The company postponed its May 12 Investor Day but reaffirmed FY26 financial guidance. Shares hit a 12-month low on May 12 after Stifel lowered its price target to $210 from $240 on May 10. The Board declared a quarterly dividend of $1.30 per share, a 4% increase from $1.25, payable May 28. Q1 2026 revenue was $1.14B, up 6.2% YoY, with EPS of $1.43 beating $1.34 consensus. Insiders showed conviction: director Manuel Perez de la Mesa bought 10,000 shares at $190 via trust on May 7, and director James Hope bought 464 shares at $194.42. Risk: weak pool/spa discretionary demand plus management turnover during peak season creates execution risk against an already lowered analyst bar.
May 12Pool Corp postponed its May 12 Investor Day in Phoenix just days after naming John Watwood CEO (effective May 4) and announcing Peter Arvan's departure.Mixed▶
POOLCORP postponed its 2026 Investor Day originally set for today, May 12, in Phoenix, with no new date announced. The cancellation comes only a week after the abrupt May 4 leadership transition that elevated EVP John B. Watwood to President and CEO, exited Peter D. Arvan as CEO and director, and made John E. Stokely Executive Chair. The delay matters because the buy-side was looking to the event for the new CEO's strategy and a refreshed 2026 framing after a -36.6% one-year shareholder return; the company reiterated full-year 2026 guidance from the April 23 print. Bear case: a sudden CEO change followed immediately by a pulled investor day raises questions about strategic direction and whether near-term operating trends are softer than guidance implies.
Sector Peers
| Company | Price | Day | 1M | Fwd P/E | Beta | Mkt Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GPCGENUINE | $109.23 | +2.93% | +14.5% | 12.9x | 0.68 | $15.1B |
| POOLPOOL | $198.98 | +2.39% | +9.4% | 16.5x | 1.09 | $7.3B |
| AMZNAMAZON.COM | $244.58 | +2.98% | -7.8% | 24.8x | 1.44 | $2.63T |
| TSLATESLA | $401.07 | +1.18% | -4.0% | 160.2x | 1.80 | $1.50T |
| HDHOME | $334.97 | +2.29% | +7.6% | 20.8x | 0.97 | $333.3B |
| MCDMCDONALD | $278.85 | -1.75% | -0.6% | 19.6x | 0.41 | $198.0B |
Key Fundamentals
RSI (14-Day)
52-Week Range
Moving Averages
Price below 200d MA — bearish structure.