Pool Corporation (POOL) reported a mixed second-quarter performance for 2024, with net sales declining by 5% to $1.8 billion, but maintaining a solid gross margin.

Pool Corporation reported its second-quarter financial results for 2024, revealing a mixed performance amidst a challenging market environment.

The company achieved net sales of $1.8 billion, a 5% decline compared to $1.9 billion in the same quarter of 2023. Despite the drop in sales, the company maintained a solid gross margin of 30.0%, reflecting the strength of its recurring revenue from maintenance products. Operating income for the quarter was $271.5 million, down 17% from $327.0 million in the previous year, translating to an operating margin of 15.3%.

Earnings per diluted share (EPS) for the quarter stood at $4.99, or $4.98, excluding tax benefits, representing a 16% decrease from $5.91 in the second quarter of 2023. The company’s net income also declined, falling 17% to $192.4 million from $232.3 million in the same period last year.

Despite these decreases, Pool Corporation’s performance was buoyed by strong maintenance revenues and a slight improvement in sales in the last week of June.

POOL Delivers Better Than Excepted Q2 Results

The company delivered slightly better-than-expected results when comparing Pool Corporation’s current performance against market expectations. Analysts had projected an EPS of $4.91 and revenue of $1.75 billion for the quarter. The actual EPS of $4.98 exceeded expectations by $0.07, while the reported revenue of $1.8 billion surpassed the forecast by $50 million. This positive variance was largely attributed to the robust demand for maintenance products, which helped offset the decline in sales of discretionary items.

Despite the revenue and EPS beating expectations, the overall financial performance still reflected underlying market challenges.

The gross profit decreased by 7% to $530.1 million from $567.8 million in the second quarter of 2023. This decline was influenced by lower sales of higher-margin building materials and the impact of commodity pricing headwinds. Operating expenses also rose by 7% to $258.7 million, driven by the expansion of the company’s network and technology initiatives.

POOL Expects Annual EPS in the Range of $11.05 to $11.45

Pool Corporation has confirmed its annual earnings guidance range of $11.05 to $11.45 per diluted share. This guidance includes the additional $0.01 tax benefit recognized in the second quarter.

CEO Peter D. Arvan expressed confidence in the company’s strategic growth investments and capacity creation efforts, emphasizing the long-term growth opportunities within the outdoor living industry. Arvan highlighted the company’s strong balance sheet and commitment to providing exceptional customer experiences as critical factors driving future performance.

As the company moves into the second half of 2024, it remains focused on maintaining its operating efficiency and leveraging its extensive sales center network to deliver value to shareholders. Despite the challenging market conditions, Pool Corporation’s management team is optimistic about the future, supported by their experience and disciplined execution.

More By This Author: