POOL vs. ULS: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at POOL and ULS, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | POOL | ULS |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Pool Corporation | UL Solutions Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Distributors | Professional Services |
| Market Capitalization | 11.75 billion USD | 13.44 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | October 13, 1995 | April 12, 2024 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of POOL and ULS by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | POOL | ULS |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -3.42% | 0.09% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -2.33% | -8.09% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -7.45% | 16.65% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -8.87% | 24.93% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 2.21% | -8.51% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -7.62% | 34.12% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 0.46M | 1.15M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 0.59M | 0.90M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 30.35% | 34.31% |
| Beta | 1.12 | 0.54 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
POOL
31.34%
Distributors Industry
- Max
- 18.85%
- Q3
- 17.85%
- Median
- 13.11%
- Q1
- 11.23%
- Min
- 11.19%
POOL’s Return on Equity of 31.34% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Distributors industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
ULS
34.07%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 52.17%
- Q3
- 30.06%
- Median
- 22.21%
- Q1
- 11.67%
- Min
- -13.44%
In the upper quartile for the Professional Services industry, ULS’s Return on Equity of 34.07% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
POOL
7.79%
Distributors Industry
- Max
- 5.04%
- Q3
- 4.92%
- Median
- 4.56%
- Q1
- 4.55%
- Min
- 4.54%
POOL’s Net Profit Margin of 7.79% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Distributors industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.
ULS
11.08%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 26.06%
- Q3
- 13.34%
- Median
- 7.88%
- Q1
- 3.50%
- Min
- -2.93%
ULS’s Net Profit Margin of 11.08% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Professional Services industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
POOL
11.13%
Distributors Industry
- Max
- 11.14%
- Q3
- 7.80%
- Median
- 5.53%
- Q1
- 3.65%
- Min
- 3.17%
An Operating Profit Margin of 11.13% places POOL in the upper quartile for the Distributors industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
ULS
16.71%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 35.84%
- Q3
- 19.38%
- Median
- 12.54%
- Q1
- 7.36%
- Min
- -5.21%
ULS’s Operating Profit Margin of 16.71% is around the midpoint for the Professional Services industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | POOL | ULS |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 31.34% | 34.07% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 11.64% | 11.40% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 7.79% | 11.08% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 11.13% | 16.71% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 29.46% | 48.53% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
POOL
2.52
Distributors Industry
- Max
- 1.81
- Q3
- 1.72
- Median
- 1.48
- Q1
- 1.24
- Min
- 1.15
POOL’s Current Ratio of 2.52 is exceptionally high, placing it well outside the typical range for the Distributors industry. This indicates a very strong liquidity position, though such a high ratio may also suggest that the company is not using its assets efficiently to generate profits.
ULS
1.32
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 2.45
- Q3
- 1.65
- Median
- 1.26
- Q1
- 1.10
- Min
- 0.47
ULS’s Current Ratio of 1.32 aligns with the median group of the Professional Services industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
POOL
0.95
Distributors Industry
- Max
- 1.09
- Q3
- 0.98
- Median
- 0.75
- Q1
- 0.52
- Min
- 0.46
POOL’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.95 is typical for the Distributors industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
ULS
0.56
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 2.63
- Q3
- 1.44
- Median
- 0.91
- Q1
- 0.49
- Min
- 0.00
ULS’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.56 is typical for the Professional Services industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
POOL
12.28
Distributors Industry
- Max
- 13.15
- Q3
- 10.84
- Median
- 5.59
- Q1
- 4.01
- Min
- 3.80
POOL’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 12.28 is in the upper quartile for the Distributors industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
ULS
11.92
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 39.67
- Q3
- 20.05
- Median
- 11.07
- Q1
- 5.36
- Min
- -2.22
ULS’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 11.92 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Professional Services industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | POOL | ULS |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.52 | 1.32 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.82 | 1.32 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.95 | 0.56 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 12.28 | 11.92 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
POOL
1.52%
Distributors Industry
- Max
- 44.83%
- Q3
- 35.02%
- Median
- 4.81%
- Q1
- 3.26%
- Min
- 1.54%
POOL’s Dividend Yield of 1.52% is below the typical range for the Distributors industry. This indicates that shareholder returns are likely driven more by potential capital appreciation than by dividend income.
ULS
0.76%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 5.28%
- Q3
- 2.51%
- Median
- 1.63%
- Q1
- 0.62%
- Min
- 0.00%
ULS’s Dividend Yield of 0.76% is consistent with its peers in the Professional Services industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
POOL
44.67%
Distributors Industry
- Max
- 1,122.47%
- Q3
- 858.23%
- Median
- 55.08%
- Q1
- 44.32%
- Min
- 34.92%
POOL’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 44.67% is within the typical range for the Distributors industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
ULS
31.19%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 109.23%
- Q3
- 64.39%
- Median
- 47.00%
- Q1
- 20.35%
- Min
- 0.00%
ULS’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 31.19% is within the typical range for the Professional Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | POOL | ULS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.52% | 0.76% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 44.67% | 31.19% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
POOL
29.38
Distributors Industry
- Max
- 28.99
- Q3
- 25.04
- Median
- 23.42
- Q1
- 13.71
- Min
- 6.24
At 29.38, POOL’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Distributors industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
ULS
41.10
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 49.59
- Q3
- 36.59
- Median
- 28.13
- Q1
- 18.55
- Min
- 10.07
A P/E Ratio of 41.10 places ULS in the upper quartile for the Professional Services industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
POOL
2.29
Distributors Industry
- Max
- 1.14
- Q3
- 1.14
- Median
- 0.96
- Q1
- 0.61
- Min
- 0.28
With a P/S Ratio of 2.29, POOL trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Distributors industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
ULS
4.55
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 9.54
- Q3
- 5.11
- Median
- 2.10
- Q1
- 0.75
- Min
- 0.11
ULS’s P/S Ratio of 4.55 aligns with the market consensus for the Professional Services industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
POOL
8.44
Distributors Industry
- Max
- 3.72
- Q3
- 3.57
- Median
- 3.12
- Q1
- 2.41
- Min
- 1.47
At 8.44, POOL’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Distributors industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
ULS
13.37
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 13.75
- Q3
- 8.87
- Median
- 4.35
- Q1
- 2.43
- Min
- 0.54
ULS’s P/B Ratio of 13.37 is in the upper tier for the Professional Services industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | POOL | ULS |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 29.38 | 41.10 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 2.29 | 4.55 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 8.44 | 13.37 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 24.87 | 36.92 |