HAYW vs POOL

For growth investors, Hayward Holdings, Inc.

(HAYW) is the stronger pick with 6. 7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -0. 4% for Pool Corporation (POOL). Pool Corporation (POOL) offers the better valuation at 17. 2x trailing P/E (16. 9x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Pool Corporation (POOL) a "Buy" — based on 21 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.

On trailing P/E, Pool Corporation (POOL) is the cheapest at 17.

2x versus Hayward Holdings, Inc. at 21. 4x. On forward P/E, Pool Corporation is actually cheaper at 16. 9x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Hayward Holdings, Inc. wins at 0. 12x versus Pool Corporation's 4. 36x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, Hayward Holdings, Inc.

(HAYW) delivered a total return of -39. 7%, compared to -52. 8% for Pool Corporation (POOL). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: POOL returned +149. 0% versus HAYW's -14. 5%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Pool Corporation (POOL) is the lower-risk stock at 1.

00β versus Hayward Holdings, Inc. 's 1. 14β — meaning HAYW is approximately 13% more volatile than POOL relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Hayward Holdings, Inc. (HAYW) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 1% versus 29% for Pool Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Hayward Holdings, Inc.

(HAYW) is pulling ahead at 6. 7% versus -0. 4% for Pool Corporation (POOL). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Hayward Holdings, Inc. grew EPS 25. 9% year-over-year, compared to -4. 0% for Pool Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, POOL leads at -5. 1% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.

Hayward Holdings, Inc.

(HAYW) is the more profitable company, earning 13. 5% net margin versus 7. 7% for Pool Corporation — meaning it keeps 13. 5% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: HAYW leads at 21. 1% versus 11. 0% for POOL. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — HAYW leads at 45. 6%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.

The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.

By this metric, Hayward Holdings, Inc. (HAYW) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 12x versus Pool Corporation's 4. 36x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, Pool Corporation (POOL) trades at 16. 9x forward P/E versus 16. 9x for Hayward Holdings, Inc. — 0. 0x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for POOL: 49. 3% to $279. 29.

In this comparison, POOL (2.

7% yield) pays a dividend. HAYW does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Pool Corporation (POOL) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1.

00), 2. 7% yield, +149. 0% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (POOL: +149. 0%, HAYW: -14. 5%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.

Both stocks operate in the Industrials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

In terms of investment character: HAYW is a small-cap quality compounder stock; POOL is a small-cap deep-value stock. POOL pays a dividend while HAYW does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.