tiprankstipranks
Trending News
More News >
Leslie's (LESL)
NASDAQ:LESL
Advertisement

Leslie's (LESL) AI Stock Analysis

Compare
187 Followers

Top Page

LESL

Leslie's

(NASDAQ:LESL)

Select Model
Select Model
Select Model
Underperform 39 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:39Underperform
Price Target:
$3.50
▲(33.08% Upside)
Leslie's faces substantial financial challenges, with declining revenues, high leverage, and negative equity. Technical indicators suggest bearish momentum, and the valuation is unattractive due to ongoing losses. While strategic initiatives were noted in the earnings call, they are insufficient to offset the broader negative outlook.
Positive Factors
Enhanced Loyalty Program
The enhanced Pool Perks loyalty program aims to increase customer retention and attract new pool owners, potentially boosting long-term sales.
Inventory Management
Effective inventory management with a 9.6% reduction year-over-year enhances operational efficiency and reduces costs, supporting long-term profitability.
New CFO Appointment
Appointing Jeff White as CFO may bring fresh strategic insights and financial management, potentially improving financial stability and performance.
Negative Factors
Revenue Decline
A 12% decline in quarterly sales due to weather and competition indicates challenges in maintaining market share and revenue growth.
High Leverage
High leverage with negative equity poses significant financial risks, limiting the company's ability to invest in growth and weather downturns.
Cash Flow Challenges
Significant decline in free cash flow growth raises liquidity concerns, affecting the company's ability to fund operations and strategic initiatives.

Leslie's (LESL) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Leslie's Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionLeslie'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 offers pool chemicals consisting of chlorine, sanitizers, water balancers, specialty chemicals, and algae control; pool covers, including winter, solar and safety covers, leaf nets, cover reels, and cover alternatives; pool equipment, which comprise pool cleaners, pool pumps, pool filters, pool heating, and lighting; and pools, such as above ground pools, soft side pools, above ground pools liners and equipment, ladders and rails, and diving boards. The company also provides pool maintenance products, including pool closing and opening supplies, filter catridges, chlorine floaters, backwash and vacuum hoses, and cleaning attachments; parts, such as automatic pool cleaner parts, pool filter and pump parts, and pool heater and heat pump parts; and safety, recreational, and fitness-related products. In addition, it provides pool equipment and repair services. The company markets its products through 952 company operated locations in 38 states and e-commerce websites. It serves the residential, professional, and commercial consumers. The company was founded in 1963 and is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona.
How the Company Makes MoneyLeslie's generates revenue primarily through the sale of pool and spa products in its retail locations and online. The company offers a diverse range of products, including chemicals, cleaners, filters, pumps, and various accessories, which contribute significantly to its sales. In addition to product sales, Leslie's also earns money through service offerings, including pool maintenance and repair services for residential and commercial clients, which provide a recurring revenue stream. The company leverages its extensive store network and online presence to capture a wide customer base, and strategic partnerships with manufacturers and suppliers enhance its product offerings and pricing strategies. Seasonal demand fluctuations, particularly in warmer months, also play a crucial role in revenue generation, as more consumers invest in pool maintenance and upgrading their outdoor spaces.

Leslie's Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Dec 02, 2025
(Q4-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Jan 29, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Negative
The call highlighted significant operational improvements such as improved gross margin and successful inventory optimization. However, these were overshadowed by challenges including substantial customer loss, impairment charges, and store closures. The strategic initiatives aim to stabilize and improve business performance, but the immediate outlook reflects significant hurdles.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Successful CFO Transition
Jeff White joined Leslie's as the new Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, bringing financial and operational retail expertise.
Improved Gross Margin
Gross margin for the fourth quarter increased to 38.6% from 36% in the prior year, driven by favorable vendor rebates and freight costs.
Inventory Optimization
Inventory was reduced by $26 million year-over-year, exceeding the Q3 commitment of $20 million, while improving in-stock levels by over 400 basis points.
Conversion Rate Improvement
Conversion rates after water tests increased by 500 basis points year-over-year, reinforcing customer trust in technical expertise.
Expansion of Same-Day Delivery
Leslie's accelerated its omnichannel transformation by expanding same-day delivery through its Uber partnership, with plans to scale across the United States.
Negative Updates
Customer Loss
Net loss of over 160,000 residential customers this year and an 8.6% decline in residential traffic in 2025 due to price value challenges.
Impairment Charges
Recorded a $184 million impairment charge related to goodwill and partial charges due to store closures, with further charges expected in Q1 and Q2 2026.
Store Closures
Plan to close 80 to 90 underperforming stores, impacting annual sales by $25 million to $35 million.
Negative Net Income
Net loss of $162.8 million or $17.54 per diluted share in Q4, compared to a net loss of $9.9 million in the prior year.
Pricing Challenges
Price optimization needed on core items due to being out of step with competitors, impacting customer retention.
Company Guidance
During the fiscal fourth quarter and full year 2025 earnings call for Leslie's, the company outlined several key metrics and strategic actions aimed at transforming its business and returning to profitable growth. The company reported net sales for the fourth quarter at $389.2 million, a 2.2% decrease from the prior year, and a full year net sales of approximately $1.24 billion. The company experienced a net loss of 160,000 residential customers and an 8.6% decline in residential traffic, driven largely by pricing challenges on key value items. To address these issues, Leslie's announced a plan to close 80 to 90 underperforming stores, projected to improve annualized net EBITDA by $4 million to $10 million. Furthermore, the company aims to achieve an adjusted EBITDA of $55 million to $75 million for fiscal 2026, focusing on price optimization, cost structure improvement, and strategic asset utilization. The company's inventory was reduced by $26 million in 2025, with a goal of further rationalizing inventory by another $20 million to $40 million in 2026. Leslie's also emphasized its commitment to enhancing customer engagement through targeted marketing and leveraging its Pool Perks loyalty program, which captures data on over 85% of transactions.

Leslie's Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Leslie's financial performance is under significant pressure, with declining revenues and profitability. The balance sheet reveals high leverage and negative equity, while cash flow challenges are evident with negative free cash flow growth and weak cash generation. These factors indicate substantial financial instability.
Income Statement
45
Neutral
Leslie's has experienced a decline in revenue over the TTM, with a negative revenue growth rate of -5.25%. The gross profit margin has decreased to 34.61% from previous years, indicating pressure on profitability. The net profit margin is negative at -6.72%, reflecting a challenging period for the company. EBIT and EBITDA margins have also significantly decreased, suggesting operational inefficiencies.
Balance Sheet
30
Negative
The balance sheet reveals a concerning debt-to-equity ratio of -4.20, indicating high leverage and negative equity, which poses financial stability risks. Return on equity is positive at 36.84%, but this is due to negative equity, which distorts the metric. The equity ratio is negative, highlighting the company's reliance on debt financing.
Cash Flow
40
Negative
Cash flow analysis shows a significant decline in free cash flow growth at -171.99%, raising concerns about liquidity. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is low at 0.03, indicating weak cash generation relative to net income. The free cash flow to net income ratio is negative, reflecting cash flow challenges.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue1.25B1.33B1.45B1.56B1.34B1.11B
Gross Profit432.77M476.79M548.22M673.74M595.16M460.71M
EBITDA6.66M90.19M136.32M269.13M224.09M176.81M
Net Income-84.08M-23.38M27.24M159.03M126.63M58.56M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets989.49M1.05B1.03B1.11B1.04B746.44M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments42.68M108.50M55.42M112.29M345.06M157.07M
Total Debt1.03B1.05B1.04B1.03B1.02B1.37B
Total Liabilities1.24B1.23B1.20B1.31B1.26B1.57B
Stockholders Equity-246.17M-177.15M-161.36M-197.95M-217.56M-827.00M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow-24.33M60.22M-32.11M34.92M140.63M82.78M
Operating Cash Flow7.66M107.47M6.47M66.64M169.56M103.41M
Investing Cash Flow-31.86M-47.16M-52.54M-138.98M-35.35M-26.81M
Financing Cash Flow-7.55M-7.22M-10.80M-158.87M53.78M-10.43M

Leslie's Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price2.63
Price Trends
50DMA
3.81
Negative
100DMA
5.47
Negative
200DMA
9.87
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.27
Negative
RSI
37.12
Neutral
STOCH
5.56
Positive
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For LESL, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 2.63 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 2.99, below the 50-day MA of 3.81, and below the 200-day MA of 9.87, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -0.27 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 37.12 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 5.56 is Positive, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for LESL.

Leslie's Risk Analysis

Leslie's disclosed 46 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Leslie's reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Leslie's Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
71
Outperform
$1.49B20.2420.38%7.36%-6.85%
66
Neutral
$349.59B24.40162.91%2.59%7.50%-0.38%
63
Neutral
$139.38B20.601.89%0.64%0.58%
61
Neutral
$18.38B12.79-2.54%3.03%1.52%-15.83%
50
Neutral
$285.73M-1.37%-3.77%-146.47%
48
Neutral
$50.43M144.55-0.38%28.88%-5.07%-115.50%
39
Underperform
$27.87M-6.63%-904.47%
* Consumer Cyclical Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
LESL
Leslie's
2.63
-50.37
-95.04%
HD
Home Depot
354.61
-64.13
-15.31%
LOW
Lowe's
248.47
-20.30
-7.55%
TTSH
Tile Shop
6.52
-0.32
-4.68%
NHTC
Natural Health Trends
2.77
-1.33
-32.44%
ARHS
Arhaus
10.54
-0.48
-4.36%

Leslie's Corporate Events

Delistings and Listing ChangesRegulatory Filings and Compliance
Leslie’s Regains Nasdaq Compliance After Bid Price Recovery
Positive
Oct 16, 2025

Leslie’s, Inc. has successfully regained compliance with Nasdaq’s minimum bid price requirement, as notified by the Listing Qualifications Department. The company had previously faced potential delisting due to its stock price falling below $1.00 per share for 30 consecutive days, but managed to meet the requirement by maintaining a minimum closing bid price of at least $1.00 per share for ten consecutive business days from September 29, 2025, to October 13, 2025.

The most recent analyst rating on (LESL) stock is a Hold with a $5.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Leslie’s stock, see the LESL Stock Forecast page.

Stock Split
Leslie’s Implements 1-for-20 Reverse Stock Split
Neutral
Sep 29, 2025

On September 26, 2025, Leslie’s, Inc. implemented a reverse stock split at a 1-for-20 ratio, reducing the total number of issued and outstanding shares to approximately 9,289,790 and the authorized shares to 50,000,000. The company’s common stock will trade on a split-adjusted basis on Nasdaq starting September 29, 2025, under the ticker symbol ‘LESL’, with a new CUSIP number. No fractional shares were issued, and adjustments were made to the company’s 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan to reflect the reverse stock split.

The most recent analyst rating on (LESL) stock is a Hold with a $12.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Leslie’s stock, see the LESL Stock Forecast page.

Stock Split
Leslie’s Announces Reverse Stock Split Effective September 26
Neutral
Sep 18, 2025

Leslie’s, Inc. announced a reverse stock split of its common stock at a 1-for-20 ratio, with a corresponding decrease in authorized shares. Initially expected to take effect after trading on September 25, 2025, the effective time has been adjusted to after trading on September 26, 2025. Trading on a split-adjusted basis will begin on September 29, 2025, on the Nasdaq Global Select Market.

The most recent analyst rating on (LESL) stock is a Hold with a $0.35 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Leslie’s stock, see the LESL Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board Changes
Leslie’s Appoints Jeff White as New CFO
Neutral
Sep 16, 2025

Leslie’s, Inc. announced the appointment of Jeff White as the new Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, effective October 5, 2025. White, who brings extensive experience from his previous role at Sportsman’s Warehouse Holdings, will replace Tony Iskander, who will serve as an advisor during the transition period. This strategic move aims to strengthen Leslie’s financial leadership and ensure a smooth transition in its executive team.

The most recent analyst rating on (LESL) stock is a Sell with a $0.50 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Leslie’s stock, see the LESL Stock Forecast page.

Shareholder MeetingsStock Split
Leslie’s Announces Reverse Stock Split Approval
Neutral
Sep 15, 2025

On September 10, 2025, Leslie’s Inc. held a special meeting where shareholders approved amendments to the company’s incorporation certificate to execute a reverse stock split and reduce authorized shares. The board finalized a 1-for-20 reverse stock split effective September 25, 2025, reducing outstanding shares to 9,289,790 and authorized shares to 50,000,000. The stock will trade on a split-adjusted basis on Nasdaq starting September 26, 2025.

The most recent analyst rating on (LESL) stock is a Sell with a $0.50 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Leslie’s stock, see the LESL Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board Changes
Leslie’s Announces Interim CFO Tony Iskander’s Departure
Neutral
Aug 21, 2025

Leslie’s, Inc. announced that Tony Iskander will step down from his role as Interim Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, effective October 4, 2025, or earlier if a successor is appointed. His departure is for personal reasons and not due to any disagreements with the company, and he may continue as an advisor.

The most recent analyst rating on (LESL) stock is a Sell with a $0.50 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Leslie’s stock, see the LESL Stock Forecast page.

Leslie’s, Inc. Faces Challenges Amidst Sales Decline
Aug 8, 2025

Leslie’s, Inc. Faces Challenges Amidst Sales Decline and Competitive Pressures

Leslie’s, Inc. Reports Challenging Q3 2025 Results
Aug 7, 2025

Leslie’s, Inc. is the largest direct-to-customer brand in the U.S. pool and spa care industry, offering a wide range of essential products for residential customers and pool professionals across the nation. The company operates over 1,000 physical locations and a comprehensive digital platform, providing a seamless shopping experience for its consumers.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Oct 30, 2025