Hayward Holdings, Inc. (HAYW)

Hayward Holdings' stock performance has been influenced by financial results and market conditions. The company reported strong third-quarter fiscal year 2025 results, beating estimates and raising full-year guidance, leading to a stock surge. Fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 earnings also outperformed expectations, with net sales increasing 7% to $1.122 billion and adjusted diluted EPS growing 15% to $0.77. The company introduced 2026 guidance, projecting approximately 4% net sales growth and adjusted diluted EPS of $0.82 to $0.86. As of March 31, 2026, the stock has experienced a decline of 14.1%. Analyst ratings are generally positive, with a consensus of "Moderate Buy" and an average 12-month price objective of $17.83. There has been notable insider selling by executives in the last six months.

Demand for Hayward Holdings' products is seasonal, influenced by weather and new pool construction. The company's business model is resilient due to its significant aftermarket segment, with approximately 85% of revenue from aftermarket service and replacement parts. The company experiences "early buy demand" for the upcoming pool season. New pool construction has faced challenges, and economic uncertainties and weather conditions can influence consumer spending. Hayward's guidance for 2026 assumes typical seasonal patterns, but adverse weather can disrupt sales cycles.

Hayward Holdings, Inc. is a global leader specializing in the design, manufacturing, and marketing of swimming pool equipment and automation systems, with a focus on energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable solutions. Their product portfolio includes pumps, filters, heaters, LED lights, sanitization systems, robotics, cleaners, water features, landscape lighting, safety equipment, and automated cleaning systems. They also offer IoT-enabled controls and automation platforms like the Hayward Omni mobile app, and manufacture industrial thermoplastic valves and process control products through its Hayward Flow Control division.

Hayward Holdings, Inc. is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, and has a significant global presence. The company's operations and sales extend across North America, Europe, Central and South America, the Middle East, Australia, and other Asia Pacific countries.

Hayward Holdings maintains a strong brand reputation within the pool industry, recognized as a "highly-recognized brand" and the "#1 products brand amongst U.S. pool professionals." The company's commitment to energy efficiency and sustainability has been acknowledged with the ENERGY STAR 2024 Partner of the Year award. However, a class-action lawsuit alleging a "channel stuffing" scheme was filed against Hayward Holdings, Inc. and its executives in August 2023, which has overcome a motion to dismiss and is moving forward.

Hayward Holdings, Inc. has a diverse ownership structure, with a significant portion held by institutional investors. Major institutional shareholders include BlackRock, Inc., Vanguard Group Inc, and JPMorgan Chase & Co. Key individual and insider owners include MSD Partners LP, MSD Capital L P, Michael S. Dell, Alberta Investment Management Corp, and CCMP Capital LP. In September 2024, MSD Aqua Partners, LLC distributed its entire stake in Hayward Holdings to its partners, though MSD-affiliated entities retained about 3% of the outstanding common stock.