Leslie’s (NASDAQ:LESL) Given New $1.50 Price Target at Morgan Stanley

Leslie’s (NASDAQ:LESL) had its price target decreased by Morgan Stanley from $3.00 to $1.50 in a research report released on Monday,Benzinga reports. Morgan Stanley currently has an equal weight rating on the stock.

Several other analysts have also commented on the company. Robert W. Baird set a $3.00 price objective on Leslie’s in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. 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 note on Friday, February 7th. The Goldman Sachs Group dropped their target price on Leslie’s from $4.00 to $3.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, February 11th. Guggenheim reissued a “neutral” rating on shares of Leslie’s in a research report on Friday, February 7th. Finally, Telsey Advisory Group cut their price target on Leslie’s from $3.75 to $3.00 and set a “market perform” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, February 7th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and ten have assigned a hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $2.65.

Leslie’s Stock Down 6.0 %

Shares of NASDAQ:LESL opened at $0.98 on Monday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $1.92 and a 200 day moving average of $2.48. The company has a market capitalization of $181.00 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -6.51 and a beta of 1.10. Leslie’s has a 52 week low of $0.95 and a 52 week high of $8.02.

Leslie’s (NASDAQ:LESL) last posted its earnings results 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%.

Institutional Trading of Leslie’s

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. RBF Capital LLC purchased a new position in Leslie’s in the third quarter worth approximately $1,587,000. Lind Value II ApS acquired a new position in Leslie’s during the fourth quarter worth $10,258,000. Point72 Asset Management L.P. acquired a new stake in shares of Leslie’s in the third quarter valued at $1,702,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its holdings in shares of Leslie’s by 142.5% in the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 586,926 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,855,000 after buying an additional 344,873 shares during the period. Finally, State Street Corp grew its position in Leslie’s by 7.7% in the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 8,406,377 shares of the company’s stock valued at $26,564,000 after acquiring an additional 601,177 shares in the last quarter.

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.