Creative Planning Acquires Shares of 24,341 Leslie’s, Inc. (NASDAQ:LESL)

Creative Planning bought a new stake in Leslie’s, Inc. (NASDAQ:LESL) during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm bought 24,341 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $77,000.

A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of LESL. Ariel Investments LLC increased its stake in Leslie’s by 46.5% in the 2nd quarter. Ariel Investments LLC now owns 36,601,368 shares of the company’s stock valued at $153,360,000 after buying an additional 11,618,490 shares during the period. Private Management Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Leslie’s by 93.8% during the second quarter. Private Management Group Inc. now owns 2,516,739 shares of the company’s stock worth $10,545,000 after acquiring an additional 1,218,047 shares during the period. Squarepoint Ops LLC raised its holdings in Leslie’s by 1,300.5% during the second quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC now owns 1,187,916 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,977,000 after purchasing an additional 1,103,096 shares in the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP lifted its position in Leslie’s by 477.4% in the second quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 1,110,404 shares of the company’s stock valued at $4,653,000 after purchasing an additional 918,084 shares during the period. Finally, Perpetual Ltd purchased a new stake in Leslie’s in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $1,787,000.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have recently commented on LESL. Telsey Advisory Group reissued a “market perform” rating and issued a $4.00 price target on shares of Leslie’s in a report on Tuesday, August 27th. Bank of America decreased their target price on shares of Leslie’s from $6.40 to $5.15 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, July 18th. Stifel Nicolaus downgraded shares of Leslie’s from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating and cut their price target for the company from $5.25 to $2.50 in a report on Thursday, July 18th. Piper Sandler decreased their price objective on shares of Leslie’s from $6.00 to $3.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, July 18th. Finally, Loop Capital reduced their price target on shares of Leslie’s from $6.00 to $3.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, July 19th. One research 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’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $3.96.

Leslie’s Stock Performance

Leslie’s stock opened at $2.91 on Wednesday. Leslie’s, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $2.42 and a fifty-two week high of $8.21. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $2.86 and a two-hundred day moving average of $3.60. The company has a market capitalization of $538.10 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 153.00, a PEG ratio of 2.08 and a beta of 1.19.

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.