Pool Corp. is expected to beat Q3 2026 earnings estimates with an Earnings ESP of +1.36% and a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). The company is projected to report EPS of $3.36 (down 0.9% YoY) and revenues of $1.47 billion (up 1.5% YoY) when results are released on October 22. The stock has beaten consensus estimates in 3 of the last 4 quarters, with the most recent quarter delivering a +1.51% surprise.

Three dividend-paying stocks—Pool Corp., IBM, and McDonald's—are down 23-30% this year but present buying opportunities for long-term investors. Pool Corp. faces headwinds from high mortgage rates affecting pool installations but benefits from maintenance services and digital growth. IBM was hurt by delayed deals and memory/storage industry challenges but maintains a strong 3% dividend yield. McDonald's struggles with sluggish comparable-store sales but is investing $8.5 billion in AI-powered restaurant upgrades and digital initiatives.

Pool Corporation announced the appointment of Jean-Marc Germain to its Board of Directors, effective September 30, 2026. Germain is the former CEO of Constellium SE and brings extensive leadership and operational experience from global industrial businesses. The appointment increases the Board to nine directors.

Campbell's Company and Pool Corporation were removed from the S&P 500 on June 22, triggering mechanical selling pressure. Campbell's offers a rare 7%+ dividend yield backed by 51 years of payments and the growing Rao's brand, though dividend growth has been slow. Pool Corp. features a more modest 2.4% yield but has raised dividends for 22 consecutive years at ~17% annually, supported by recurring maintenance revenue and digital platform growth.

Pool Corporation announced an increase in its share repurchase program to $600 million (adding $329 million to the existing program) and raised its quarterly dividend by 4% to $1.30 per share. The company also held its 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, electing nine directors and ratifying Ernst & Young LLP as the independent auditor.

Moody's and Pool Corp have experienced significant stock price declines (16% and 11% respectively year-to-date) despite strong fundamentals. Moody's reported 13% revenue growth and 39% earnings growth in Q4 2025, while Pool Corp faces cyclical headwinds but maintains a secure dividend with a 2.4% yield. Both companies have consistent dividend growth track records and are considered buying opportunities for long-term investors.

Wedgewood Partners exited its entire $10 million stake in Pool Corporation (POOL) during Q4 2025. Pool's stock has declined 35% over the past year as the company navigates a normalization phase following pandemic-era demand. Despite solid fundamentals with $5.3B in 2025 revenue and steady 29.7% gross margins, the fund's exit reflects a preference for secular tech compounders over cyclical distributors.

Pool Corporation announced a quarterly cash dividend of $1.25 per share, payable on March 26, 2026 to shareholders of record on March 12, 2026. The world's largest wholesale distributor of swimming pool and related backyard products operates approximately 455 sales centers across North America, Europe, and Australia.

Following Warren Buffett's transition from CEO to chairman at Berkshire Hathaway, the article recommends three stocks from his portfolio as solid long-term investments: Chevron for its strong dividend yield and energy sector exposure, Coca-Cola for its Dividend King status and solid growth despite sector headwinds, and Pool Corp. for its annuity-like maintenance business model and attractive valuation after pandemic-driven pullback.

Pool Corporation (POOL) is recommended as a top dividend stock to buy in January due to its attractive 2.1% dividend yield, low 45% payout ratio allowing room for growth, and improving business trends after a prolonged downturn. The stock has fallen 29% over the past year, offering a compelling valuation at a 22 P/E ratio on cyclically depressed earnings. With 15 consecutive years of dividend increases and strong cash flow, the company is well-positioned for growth as housing market conditions improve.

Warren Buffett's investment approach focuses on buying well-run businesses at attractive valuations and holding long-term. Pool Corp, currently trading at a discount, represents a potential growth opportunity despite recent market challenges in the pool supply industry.

As Warren Buffett prepares to retire as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, he continues to strategically invest in five key stocks with strong competitive advantages and robust capital-return programs, including technology, healthcare, and consumer service companies.