PoolCorp beats profit estimates on resilient demand for maintenance products

April 23 (Reuters) - Swimming pool equipment distributor PoolCorp POOL.O beat analysts' estimate for first-quarter profit on Thursday, helped by resilient demand for its repair and maintenance products.

The company raised its overall product prices after vendors passed on cost increases tied to stringent U.S. tariffs. That prompted customers to repair and maintain their existing equipment, boosting demand for PoolCorp's cleaning tools and replacement parts, among others. Some continued improvement in discretionary categories, including building materials, also helped the company.

• The company said its inventory balance increased 14% to $1.7 billion at March 31, reflecting higher purchases to support service levels and other products to serve customers ahead of the swimming pool season.

• Adjusted profit was $1.43 per share for the quarter ended March 31, compared with analysts' average estimate of $1.35, according to data compiled by LSEG.

• Gross margin contracted 20 basis points, reflecting the first-quarter seasonal mix, with strong equipment and customer early buy sales partially offset by its pricing and supply-chain initiatives.

• The Covington, Louisiana-based company expects 2026 per-share profit to be between $10.87 and $11.17, compared with $10.85 to $11.15 forecast earlier.

• Quarterly revenue rose to $1.14 billion, from $1.07 billion a year earlier.

• Its shares rose 3% in premarket trading.