Core Viewpoint - Pool Corp. is facing a challenging economic environment, with its stock down approximately 12% year to date, but this may present a buying opportunity for investors as it is a high-quality industry leader available at a discount [1]. Group 1: Company Overview - Pool Corp. is the world's largest pool supplies distributor, operating 448 sales centers across North America, Europe, and Australia, serving over 125,000 customers [5]. - The company owns the Pinch A Penny retail franchise, which has around 300 locations [5]. - Pool Corp.'s revenue is significantly driven by recurring sales, with 86% coming from consistent upkeep products for installed pools [6]. Group 2: Financial Performance - Over the past five years, Pool Corp. has achieved a 14% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in total revenue, reaching $5.3 billion in 2024 [8]. - Despite a slowdown in new pool construction, management remains optimistic about growth from its expanding private-label business and the Pool360 digital platform [9][10]. - For 2025, Pool Corp. anticipates net sales to be "flat to slightly higher" year over year, with an earnings-per-share (EPS) estimate of $11.08 to $11.58, indicating a 3% increase at the midpoint compared to 2024 [10]. Group 3: Capital Allocation and Shareholder Returns - Pool Corp. has a strong free cash flow generation, allowing for a generous capital allocation strategy, including a recent 4% increase in its quarterly dividend to $1.25 per share, yielding about 1.3% [11]. - The company has also increased its share repurchase authorization to $600 million, demonstrating its commitment to shareholders [11]. Group 4: Valuation and Market Position - Pool Corp.'s current forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is 27, which is a discount compared to its historical average P/E of around 30 over the past decade, suggesting the stock may be undervalued [12]. - A potential recovery in the housing market and pool construction, aided by subdued inflation and lower interest rates, could enhance company performance [14].

Core Viewpoint - The current pessimistic sentiment towards Pool Corp. may not persist, and the stock could present a buying opportunity for long-term investors due to its strong fundamentals and consistent dividend growth [1][12]. Company Performance - Pool Corp. shares have declined approximately 11% in 2025, reflecting a normalization of demand after a pandemic-driven boom rather than a failing business [5]. - Revenue for Q1 2025 fell 4% year-over-year to $1.07 billion, but a 2% decline was noted when comparing the same selling days, indicating an improved sequential trend [6]. - Maintenance-related product sales supported overall sales, with chemical volumes growing 1% and double-digit growth in private-label chemical products, while new pool construction sales negatively impacted results [7][8]. Profitability and Valuation - Pool Corp. maintains a gross margin of 29.2% and has reiterated its full-year earnings per share guidance for 2025 in the range of $11.10 to $11.60, trading at 27 times the midpoint of this guidance [9]. - The company generates approximately 60% to 65% of its sales from recurring maintenance-related products, providing a stable revenue base [8]. Capital Return Strategy - Pool Corp. has demonstrated a commitment to returning capital to shareholders, with a dividend that has grown at a compound annual rate of nearly 20% over the last decade [10]. - The company has increased its share repurchase program to $600 million, reflecting confidence in its long-term prospects and commitment to shareholder value [11]. Long-term Outlook - The long-term growth story for Pool Corp. remains intact, with a steady increase in the number of in-ground pools in the U.S. and a dominant distribution network that provides a competitive edge [13]. - Despite recent stock performance, the underlying business remains strong, and management is executing a disciplined capital return strategy [12].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sales for the second quarter were $177.1 million, down from $188.7 million in the prior year, reflecting a decline of 6% year over year [24] - Gross profit decreased to $43.9 million from $54.3 million, with gross margin dropping to 24.8% from 28.8% [24][25] - Adjusted EBITDA was reported at a loss of $36 million, aligning with guidance despite top-line softness [9][10] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Pro Pool sales were down 2%, while Residential Pool sales declined by 9%. Hot tub sales, however, increased by 4% year over year [8] - The conversion rate improved by 174 basis points year over year, with significant increases observed after water tests using proprietary technology [9][50] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced weaker foot traffic in February due to colder temperatures, impacting overall sales performance [8] - The introduction of Local Fulfillment Centers (LFCs) has begun to positively impact customer service and inventory management [10][11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on a transformation journey centered around customer centricity, convenience, and asset utilization, with a new pillar of cost optimization introduced [7][30] - Strategic initiatives include optimizing inventory, enhancing the Pro customer experience, and improving DIY omnichannel capabilities [10][14][15] - The launch of a new loyalty program, Pool Perks, aims to reward loyal customers and enhance engagement [17][18] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged the challenges posed by weather conditions but expressed confidence in the team's ability to meet guidance for the remainder of the year [28][80] - The company is committed to reducing debt and improving working capital through inventory optimization and cost management strategies [26][30] Other Important Information - The company reduced inventory by 12% year over year, ending the quarter at $335.1 million [26] - A partnership with Uber for same-day delivery services is expected to enhance customer convenience and operational efficiency [22][75] Q&A Session Summary Question: Competitive landscape and comp sales performance - Management noted that weather impacted sales but expressed confidence in gaining market share, particularly in the Pro segment [35][39] Question: Pricing strategy related to tariffs - The company plans to implement pricing adjustments primarily to offset tariff impacts, which are estimated to be less than 1% of total sales [42][43] Question: Comp weakness and underlying fundamentals - Management indicated that weather was a significant factor in comp weakness, but improvements in conversion rates were encouraging [46][50] Question: Inventory purchases and defensive strategies - The company is focused on optimizing inventory while preparing for potential market challenges in the second half of 2025 [51][52] Question: Cost optimization and expense ratio - Management highlighted ongoing efforts to identify cost savings, particularly in indirect spend, while maintaining a focus on growth [56][58] Question: E-commerce and digitally initiated sales - The partnership with Uber was driven by customer demand for faster service, benefiting both Pro and DIY customers [72][74] Question: Top-line guidance and revenue seasonality - Management reiterated confidence in full-year sales outlook, emphasizing that a significant portion of sales is still expected in the upcoming months [79][81]