Leslie’s (NASDAQ:LESL) Shares Down 6.2%

Shares of Leslie’s, Inc. (NASDAQ:LESL) fell 6.2% during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as low as $3.93 and last traded at $3.93. 1,206,523 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 67% from the average session volume of 3,645,403 shares. The stock had previously closed at $4.19.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts recently commented on LESL shares. Mizuho decreased their target price on Leslie’s from $7.00 to $6.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, May 9th. Loop Capital increased their target price on Leslie’s from $6.00 to $8.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, March 5th. Finally, Telsey Advisory Group restated a “market perform” rating and set a $6.00 price target on shares of Leslie’s in a research note on Thursday, May 9th. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $6.26.

Leslie’s Price Performance

The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $4.81 and a 200-day moving average price of $6.06. The company has a market capitalization of $738.96 million, a P/E ratio of 49.13, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.62 and a beta of 1.16.

Leslie’s (NASDAQ:LESL) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, May 8th. The company reported ($0.18) EPS for the quarter, hitting analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.18). The company had revenue of $188.66 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $202.69 million. Leslie’s had a negative return on equity of 12.55% and a net margin of 1.06%. On average, research analysts forecast that Leslie’s, Inc. will post 0.25 EPS for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Leslie’s

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Comerica Bank raised its position in shares of Leslie’s by 3.3% in the first quarter. Comerica Bank now owns 287,063 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,866,000 after purchasing an additional 9,172 shares during the period. Janus Henderson Group PLC raised its holdings in Leslie’s by 2.2% during the 1st quarter. Janus Henderson Group PLC now owns 7,320,338 shares of the company’s stock valued at $47,581,000 after acquiring an additional 156,938 shares during the period. Bayesian Capital Management LP bought a new stake in Leslie’s during the 1st quarter valued at $787,000. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its position in shares of Leslie’s by 7.5% during the first quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 86,970 shares of the company’s stock worth $566,000 after acquiring an additional 6,101 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Covestor Ltd boosted its holdings in shares of Leslie’s by 32,510.0% in the first quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 6,522 shares of the company’s stock worth $42,000 after acquiring an additional 6,502 shares during the period.

About Leslie’s

Leslie's, Inc operates as a direct-to-consumer pool and spa care brand in the United States. The company markets and sells pool and spa supplies and related products and services. It also offers various pool and spa maintenance items, such as chemicals, equipment and parts, cleaning and maintenance equipment, safety, recreational, and fitness related products.