Leslie’s, Inc. (NASDAQ:LESL) Given Consensus Rating of “Reduce” by Brokerages

Shares of Leslie’s, Inc. (NASDAQ:LESL) have been assigned a consensus rating of “Reduce” from the eleven research firms that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation and nine have given a hold recommendation to the company. The average 1 year price objective among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $2.83.

A number of research firms have weighed in on LESL. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their price target on shares of Leslie’s from $4.00 to $3.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, February 11th. Robert W. Baird decreased their price target on shares of Leslie’s from $4.00 to $3.50 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, November 26th. Guggenheim reiterated a “neutral” rating on shares of Leslie’s in a research note on Friday, February 7th. William Blair restated a “market perform” rating on shares of Leslie’s in a research note on Tuesday, November 26th. Finally, Bank of America downgraded shares of Leslie’s from a “buy” rating to an “underperform” rating and reduced their target price for the company from $2.65 to $1.40 in a research note on Tuesday.

Leslie’s Price Performance

LESL opened at $1.48 on Friday. Leslie’s has a fifty-two week low of $1.40 and a fifty-two week high of $8.05. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $2.07 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $2.57. The company has a market capitalization of $274.14 million, a P/E ratio of -9.87 and a beta of 1.10.

Leslie’s (NASDAQ:LESL) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported ($0.23) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.21) by ($0.02). Leslie’s had a negative return on equity of 6.11% and a negative net margin of 2.13%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in LESL. Lind Value II ApS acquired a new position in Leslie’s during the 4th quarter worth about $10,258,000. Ariel Investments LLC lifted its position in Leslie’s by 8.5% during the 4th quarter. Ariel Investments LLC now owns 50,527,789 shares of the company’s stock worth $112,677,000 after buying an additional 3,975,268 shares in the last quarter. Private Management Group Inc. lifted its position in Leslie’s by 121.3% during the 3rd quarter. Private Management Group Inc. now owns 5,569,278 shares of the company’s stock worth $17,599,000 after buying an additional 3,052,539 shares in the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC lifted its position in Leslie’s by 340.4% during the 4th quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 3,436,095 shares of the company’s stock worth $7,662,000 after buying an additional 2,655,795 shares in the last quarter. Finally, CenterBook Partners LP acquired a new position in Leslie’s during the 4th quarter worth about $5,838,000.

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.