Pool Corp
NASDAQ:POOL
Pool Corp
On the sun-soaked landscape of the swimming pool industry, Pool Corporation (often referred to as PoolCorp) stands as a colossus, dominating the distribution of swimming pool supplies, equipment, and related leisure products. Established in 1993 and headquartered in Covington, Louisiana, PoolCorp operates a vast network that stretches over 400 sales centers across North America, Europe, and Australia. At the heart of its operations is a sophisticated distribution model, which efficiently connects suppliers with a diverse range of customers, including pool builders, retailers, and service companies. By leveraging its extensive infrastructure and deep-rooted industry relationships, PoolCorp effectively eliminates the complexity from the supply chain, ensuring that products ranging from chemicals and construction materials to luxury outdoor living accessories reach their destinations promptly.
The company generates revenue through the sale and distribution of an impressive array of products catering to the swimming pool and outdoor living sector. Its business model revolves around a virtuous cycle: as more pools are built or renovated, PoolCorp benefits from not only the initial supply of construction materials but also the recurring need for maintenance and repair supplies. Furthermore, it extends its reach by offering value-added services such as inventory management solutions and technical support, enhancing client loyalty and fostering long-term partnerships. As the global appetite for upscale home recreation grows, so does PoolCorp's footprint, meticulously expanding its offerings to align with evolving consumer preferences and emerging market trends. This steadfast dedication to fostering relationships across its value chain underpins the company’s sustained profitability and robust market position.
On the sun-soaked landscape of the swimming pool industry, Pool Corporation (often referred to as PoolCorp) stands as a colossus, dominating the distribution of swimming pool supplies, equipment, and related leisure products. Established in 1993 and headquartered in Covington, Louisiana, PoolCorp operates a vast network that stretches over 400 sales centers across North America, Europe, and Australia. At the heart of its operations is a sophisticated distribution model, which efficiently connects suppliers with a diverse range of customers, including pool builders, retailers, and service companies. By leveraging its extensive infrastructure and deep-rooted industry relationships, PoolCorp effectively eliminates the complexity from the supply chain, ensuring that products ranging from chemicals and construction materials to luxury outdoor living accessories reach their destinations promptly.
The company generates revenue through the sale and distribution of an impressive array of products catering to the swimming pool and outdoor living sector. Its business model revolves around a virtuous cycle: as more pools are built or renovated, PoolCorp benefits from not only the initial supply of construction materials but also the recurring need for maintenance and repair supplies. Furthermore, it extends its reach by offering value-added services such as inventory management solutions and technical support, enhancing client loyalty and fostering long-term partnerships. As the global appetite for upscale home recreation grows, so does PoolCorp's footprint, meticulously expanding its offerings to align with evolving consumer preferences and emerging market trends. This steadfast dedication to fostering relationships across its value chain underpins the company’s sustained profitability and robust market position.
Revenue Stability: Annual revenue for 2025 was $5.3 billion, holding steady year-over-year despite a decline in new pool construction.
Gross Margin Gains: Gross margin improved to 29.7% for 2025 (up 20 bps YoY), and reached 30.1% in Q4 (up 70 bps YoY), driven by pricing and supply chain benefits.
2026 Outlook: Management expects low single-digit sales growth and flat gross margin in 2026, with maintenance revenues remaining strong and new pool construction staying near 60,000 units.
EPS Guidance: 2026 diluted EPS guidance is $10.85 to $11.15, up 2% to 3% at the midpoint, with no ASU tax benefit expected.
Shareholder Returns: Pool Corp returned $530 million to shareholders in 2025 (up 10% YoY), including $341 million in buybacks and a 4% dividend increase.
Digital Expansion: Digital sales hit 15% of revenue in 2025, a record high, and the POOL360 platform continues to expand with AI features.
Disciplined Investment: The company slowed facility expansion in 2025 and focused on extracting value from recent network and technology investments.
Market Trends: Maintenance spending stayed resilient despite lower new builds, and early signs show improvement in some discretionary categories and key regions.
