Pool Corp. Q3 Profit Up, Meets Estimates; Narrows FY14 EPS View

(RTTNews) - Pool Corp. (POOL), a wholesale distributor of swimming pool supplies, Thursday reported an 8 percent increase in its third-quarter earnings, as total sales rose 6 percent year-over-year. For the full year, the group narrowed the range of its full-year earnings forecast. Net income attributable to Pool Corp. rose to $34.8 million from $32.3 million in the third quarter of 2013. Earnings per share were up 15 percent to $0.78 per share from $0.68 per share in the year-ago period. On average, nine analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected earnings of $0.78 per share. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items. Quarterly sales improved to $615.5 million from $578.2 million a year ago, with base business sales up 5 percent for the period. Analysts expected revenue of $621.38 million. Looking ahead, the company said it is tightening its annual earnings per share guidance, to a range of $2.38 - $2.43 from the previous range of $2.35 - $2.45 per share. Analysts are looking for earnings of $2.40 per share for the fiscal.