extraordinary year with record fourth quarter net sales of $1 billion as well as record annual net sales of $5.3 billion, compared to $3.9 million in 2020, an increase of 35 percent. Further, the company announced record adjusted earnings per share of $15.97, compared to $8.42 in 2020, up 78 percent.
Sales were driven by a strong customer demand for outdoor living products throughout the year, warmer weather trends across most of the U.S., a COVID-accelerated movement to the suburbs as well as overall southern migration, and the company benefited from inflation.
In terms of product sales performance, the company witnessed a solid demand for heaters, automation products, and variable-speed pumps leading this category’s growth. Also, strong growth in terms of maintenance, repair, and construction activities added to the upside.
The company stated that the year presented many obstacles, including consistently elevated consumer demand alongside historic supplychain disruptions. However, moving forward, Arvan said that supply chains are improving and that this year, their inventory is significantly better than it was last year.
In its fourth quarter investor letter, Carillon Tower Advisers, a global asset-management company, said the following about Pool Corporation: “Pool (Corporation) is the world’s largest wholesale distributor of swimming pool supplies, equipment, and related leisure products. The stock continues to be an impressive performer, as the company reported yet another quarterly update that exceeded investor expectations.
The current strong housing market and positive migration trends toward the Sunbelt have resulted in healthy underlying fundamentals for the pool industry.
Additionally, consumers have shown a clear desire to invest in their outdoor living and entertainment spaces, resulting in robust demand for the firm’s products.”
At press time, Zacks Rank, a stock picking tool that classifies stocks into five groups, ranging from “Strong Buy” to “Strong Sell” ranks POOL as Number 2 to – “Buy.”
