Leslie’s (NASDAQ:LESL) Downgraded to Underperform Rating by Bank of America

Leslie’s (NASDAQ:LESL) was downgraded by stock analysts at Bank of America from a “buy” rating to an “underperform” rating in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday,Briefing.com Automated Import reports. They currently have a $1.40 price target on the stock, down from their prior price target of $2.65. Bank of America‘s target price would suggest a potential downside of 10.26% from the company’s current price.

A number of other brokerages have also weighed in on LESL. William Blair reissued a “market perform” rating on shares of Leslie’s in a research report on Tuesday, November 26th. The Goldman Sachs Group dropped their target price on shares of Leslie’s from $4.00 to $3.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, February 11th. Mizuho cut their target price on shares of Leslie’s from $4.00 to $3.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, January 6th. Robert W. Baird dropped their price target on Leslie’s from $4.00 to $3.50 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, November 26th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price objective on Leslie’s from $1.90 to $1.55 and set a “sell” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, February 7th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and nine have assigned a hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $2.83.

Leslie’s Stock Down 1.9 %

LESL stock opened at $1.56 on Tuesday. The business has a 50 day moving average of $2.13 and a 200 day moving average of $2.60. The firm has a market cap of $288.93 million, a PE ratio of -10.40 and a beta of 1.10. Leslie’s has a twelve month low of $1.56 and a twelve month high of $8.05.

Leslie’s (NASDAQ:LESL) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported ($0.23) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.21) by ($0.02). Leslie’s had a negative net margin of 2.13% and a negative return on equity of 6.11%. On average, research analysts expect that Leslie’s will post 0.08 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Leslie’s

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Mariner LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Leslie’s during the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC bought a new position in Leslie’s in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $32,000. Ground Swell Capital LLC purchased a new stake in Leslie’s during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Blue Trust Inc. raised its position in shares of Leslie’s by 1,089.6% during the third quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 11,075 shares of the company’s stock valued at $35,000 after buying an additional 10,144 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cibc World Markets Corp purchased a new position in shares of Leslie’s in the fourth quarter worth $38,000.

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.