Leslie’s (NASDAQ:LESL) Cut to “Sell” at Stifel Nicolaus

Stifel Nicolaus lowered shares of Leslie’s (NASDAQ:LESL) from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report report published on Thursday, MarketBeat Ratings reports. They currently have $2.50 price objective on the stock, down from their previous price objective of $5.25.

Several other brokerages have also recently weighed in on LESL. Telsey Advisory Group reaffirmed a market perform rating and set a $6.00 price objective on shares of Leslie’s in a research note on Thursday, May 9th. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their price objective on shares of Leslie’s from $5.00 to $4.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, July 10th. Finally, Mizuho decreased their price objective on shares of Leslie’s from $7.00 to $6.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, May 9th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $4.18.

Leslie’s Stock Down 5.1 %

NASDAQ LESL opened at $2.69 on Thursday. The stock has a market cap of $496.03 million, a P/E ratio of 33.56, a PEG ratio of 0.44 and a beta of 1.16. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $4.55 and its 200 day simple moving average is $5.73. Leslie’s has a twelve month low of $2.42 and a twelve month high of $8.21.

Leslie’s (NASDAQ:LESL) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 8th. The company reported ($0.18) earnings per share for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of ($0.18). The firm had revenue of $188.66 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $202.69 million. Leslie’s had a net margin of 1.06% and a negative return on equity of 12.55%. Research analysts anticipate that Leslie’s will post 0.24 earnings per share for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Leslie’s

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Blueshift Asset Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Leslie’s by 9.0% during the fourth quarter. Blueshift Asset Management LLC now owns 16,787 shares of the company’s stock worth $116,000 after purchasing an additional 1,385 shares in the last quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Leslie’s by 7.4% during the first quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC now owns 35,967 shares of the company’s stock worth $234,000 after purchasing an additional 2,473 shares in the last quarter. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp lifted its holdings in Leslie’s by 1.7% in the first quarter. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp now owns 160,928 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,046,000 after buying an additional 2,710 shares during the period. Wealth Alliance lifted its holdings in Leslie’s by 17.4% in the fourth quarter. Wealth Alliance now owns 20,393 shares of the company’s stock valued at $141,000 after buying an additional 3,023 shares during the period. Finally, Diversified Trust Co lifted its holdings in Leslie’s by 4.1% in the first quarter. Diversified Trust Co now owns 82,092 shares of the company’s stock valued at $534,000 after buying an additional 3,200 shares during the period.

Leslie’s Company Profile

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.