Pool (POOL -0.07%), the world's largest wholesale distributor of swimming pool and related backyard products, reported its earnings for the second quarter of fiscal 2025 on July 24, 2025. The most notable takeaway from the release was a modest beat on both revenue and earnings per share (EPS), with GAAP EPS and revenue exceeding analyst estimates. Revenue totaled $1.79 billion, and adjusted EPS was $5.17. These figures surpassed analyst expectations of $1.78 billion for revenue and $5.09 for EPS. Despite th ...

Core Insights - Berkshire Hathaway has recently filed its 13F report, revealing its stock positions and recent buying and selling activities [1][2] Constellation Brands - Berkshire increased its position in Constellation Brands by 114% in the last quarter, now owning over 12 million shares, though this represents less than 1% of its total portfolio [4][5] - The company has strong consumer brands like Corona and Modelo, providing a competitive advantage, and has shown steady revenue growth with an operating income of $3.4 billion on $10.2 billion in revenue, resulting in a 33% margin [5] - The stock hit a 52-week low in mid-February, prompting Berkshire to increase its holdings as a bargain investment [6] - Constellation Brands pays a dividend of 2.2%, which is higher than the S&P 500 average of 1.3% [8] Pool Corp - Berkshire's position in Pool Corp increased by 145%, totaling around 1.5 million shares, but this only constitutes 0.2% of its overall portfolio [9] - Pool Corp is a leading wholesale distributor of swimming pool equipment and has a strong global presence [10] - The company's sales have declined from $6.2 billion in 2022 to $5.3 billion in the most recent year, with an operating income of $617 million, representing a 12% margin [11] - Similar to Constellation, Pool Corp's stock has also been falling, which may have influenced Berkshire's decision to add to its holdings [12]

Core Viewpoint - Pool Corp. is a leading player in a fragmented market, demonstrating significant long-term shareholder wealth creation, with a stock return exceeding 42,000% over its lifetime [2][3] Company Overview - Pool Corp. serves over 125,000 wholesale customers, primarily in the U.S., but also operates in Canada, Mexico, Europe, and Australia [3] - The company generates revenue from three main aspects of pool ownership: new construction and installation, upgrades and remodels, and supplies and maintenance [9] Revenue Streams - Recurring revenue from supplies and maintenance accounted for 65% of 2024 sales, an increase from 60% in 2014 [3] - New construction and installation contributed 15% of 2024 revenue, while upgrades and remodels made up 20% [9] Market Position - Pool Corp. has a competitive advantage as the leader in the fragmented pool industry, frequently acquiring smaller competitors to enhance market share [4] Financial Performance - The company generates increasing cash flow as it grows, with management allocating most cash flow to stock buybacks and dividends, enhancing earnings per share [5] - Despite a year-over-year decline in sales and profits in Q1 2025, management maintained its full-year earnings guidance, indicating confidence in the upcoming peak swimming pool season [7] Earnings Guidance - Management anticipates 2025 earnings between $11.10 and $11.60 per share, up from $11.07 in 2024, following a peak of $18.43 in 2022 [8] Valuation and Investment Potential - Pool Corp.'s current valuation appears attractive as the company returns to growth, with a proven track record of dividend increases over 14 consecutive years [10] - The stock yields 1.6%, the highest in over a decade, with a payout ratio below half of the 2025 earnings guidance, suggesting value rather than business risk [11]

Group 1: Coca-Cola (KO) - Coca-Cola offers a 2.8% dividend yield and is considered relatively safe in the current market environment, making it a strong investment choice [2][3] - The company is insulated from cross-border tariffs due to its local production and sales strategy, which minimizes exposure to tariff impacts [2][3] - Increased packaging costs from tariffs on aluminum are not significant for Coca-Cola, as aluminum constitutes a small part of its overall cost structure [3] Group 2: Louisiana-Pacific (LPX) - Louisiana-Pacific specializes in engineered wood siding and oriented strand board (OSB), with its pricing heavily influenced by wood fiber and resin costs [4] - The company could benefit from tariffs on Canadian wood fiber, as it has the capacity to increase production in both Canada and the U.S. [5][6] - Long-term prospects for engineered wood siding are positive, with potential market share gains against alternatives like vinyl and fiber cement [7] Group 3: Pool Corp. (POOL) - Pool Corp. is a resilient business, with 65% of its sales coming from maintenance and minor repairs, which supports sales even in a slowing discretionary spending environment [8] - The company does not have significant direct imports and does not anticipate material impacts from current tariffs on sales for 2025 [10] - Long-term growth prospects remain strong due to ongoing pool maintenance spending and a potential recovery in new pool construction [11]

Pool Corporation (NASDAQ:POOL) Q1 2025 Earnings Conference Call April 24, 2024 11:00 AM ET Company Participants Melanie Hart - Senior Vice President and CFO Peter Arvan - President and CEO Conference Call Participants Ryan Merkel - William Blair Quinn Fredrik - Baird Susan Maklari - Goldman Sachs David MacGregor - Longbow Research Stephen Volkmann - Jefferies Scott Schneeberger - Oppenheimer Andrew Carter - Stifel Sam Reid - Wells Fargo Garik Shmois - Loop Capital Collin Verron - Deutsche Bank Operator Good ...