Hayward (NYSE:HAYW) Posts Quarterly Earnings Results, Beats Expectations By $0.03 EPS

Hayward (NYSE:HAYW) released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday. The company reported $0.18 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.15 by $0.03, FiscalAI reports. Hayward had a net margin of 13.83% and a return on equity of 11.61%. The business had revenue of $260.13 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $251.80 million. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.14 earnings per share. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 6.5% on a year-over-year basis.

Here are the key takeaways from Hayward’s conference call:

• Third-quarter results exceeded the prior-year period, with net sales up 6% to $260 million, adjusted EBITDA up 9%, and adjusted diluted EPS up 29% to $0.18. North American sales rose 9%, including 2% volume growth.
• Hayward cited resilient aftermarket demand, which represents more than 85% of sales, along with continued share gains in automation, sanitization, controls, and lighting. North American Early Buy orders for the 2027 pool season are currently ahead of last year, with channel inventories described as balanced.
• Management raised its full-year 2026 outlook to approximately 5%-6% sales growth and adjusted diluted EPS of $0.86-$0.88, or 12%-14% growth. The company continues to target roughly $200 million in free cash flow and expects full-year gross margin near 48% despite inflation and tariffs.
• The new-construction market remains weak, with management not yet seeing a meaningful macro improvement, while Europe and rest-of-world operations face geopolitical and demand pressures. Inflation is expected to be mid- to slightly above mid-single digits in 2026, and fourth-quarter sales guidance of flat to up 3% reflects cautious assumptions about lower-margin Early Buy mix and potentially tighter distributor inventories.

Hayward Stock Up 12.9%

Shares of NYSE HAYW traded up $1.69 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $14.71. 3,370,834 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,607,029. Hayward has a 12 month low of $11.24 and a 12 month high of $17.73. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $12.95 and a 200-day moving average price of $14.59. The company has a quick ratio of 2.49, a current ratio of 3.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.59. The company has a market cap of $3.12 billion, a PE ratio of 19.78, a PEG ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 1.18.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Weiss Ratings cut shares of Hayward from a “hold (c)” rating to a “hold (c-)” rating in a research note on Friday. KeyCorp reaffirmed a “sector weight” rating on shares of Hayward in a research report on Monday, July 20th. Zacks Research cut shares of Hayward from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a report on Monday, October 19th. Wolfe Research initiated coverage on shares of Hayward in a research report on Tuesday, September 15th. They set a “peer perform” rating on the stock. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group cut their target price on shares of Hayward from $17.00 to $14.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 9th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $16.62.

Insider Activity at Hayward

In other news, CEO Kevin Holleran sold 50,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Monday, October 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $12.40, for a total value of $620,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 401,234 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $4,975,301.60. This trade represents a 11.08% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, SVP Susan M. Canning sold 3,500 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, October 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $11.70, for a total value of $40,950.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president owned 164,411 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,923,608.70. This trade represents a 2.08% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 157,000 shares of company stock valued at $2,163,890. 4.73% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Hayward News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Hayward this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Quarterly results exceeded expectations: Hayward reported adjusted earnings of $0.18 per share, above the $0.15 consensus estimate and up from $0.14 a year earlier. Revenue reached $260.13 million, surpassing estimates of $251.80 million and increasing 6.5% year over year. Hayward Holdings Q3 earnings and revenues beat estimates
• Positive Sentiment: Management increased 2026 guidance: The raised outlook signals greater confidence in demand, operating performance and the company’s ability to deliver stronger full-year results. Hayward Holdings reports third-quarter results and increases 2026 guidance
• Positive Sentiment: Investor reaction was favorable: Coverage described the results as strong and highlighted the earnings beat, while the conference call provided additional context on the company’s outlook and business trends. Hayward Holdings Q3 2026 earnings call transcript
• Neutral Sentiment: Reports about a Tesla semi-truck fire and traffic disruption in Hayward, California, concern the city rather than Hayward Holdings and are unrelated to HAYW’s business. Tesla semi-truck fire in Hayward
• Neutral Sentiment: Local reports about ICE detentions in Hayward, California, likewise have no apparent connection to Hayward Holdings’ operations or financial results. Hayward mayor confirms ICE detentions
• Negative Sentiment: An earlier analyst article characterized a prior decline in HAYW as a possible opportunity to buy on weakness, reflecting continued valuation and pullback concerns; however, that sentiment was overtaken by the latest earnings beat and guidance increase. Hayward Holdings plunge and upgrade

About Hayward

Hayward Holdings, Inc designs, manufactures and markets equipment and technologies used in residential and commercial swimming pools. Its product portfolio includes pumps, filters, heaters, heat pumps, automatic pool cleaners, lighting, sanitization systems, water features and pool-control and automation solutions.

The company sells products under the Hayward brand and serves pool owners, builders, retailers, distributors and service professionals. Its equipment is used in both new pool construction and the replacement and renovation market, with an emphasis on energy efficiency, water quality and connected pool-management technologies.

Hayward traces its roots to 1925 and has developed into a global pool-equipment supplier.