Hayward Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:HAYW) Given Average Recommendation of “Hold” by Analysts

Hayward Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:HAYW) has earned an average recommendation of “Hold” from the eight ratings firms that are covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and two have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12 month price target among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $17.50.

HAYW has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Weiss Ratings downgraded Hayward from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 15th. Cantor Fitzgerald restated a “neutral” rating on shares of Hayward in a report on Monday, July 6th. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a “neutral” rating on shares of Hayward in a research note on Wednesday. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Hayward from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, April 27th. Finally, KeyCorp reaffirmed a “sector weight” rating on shares of Hayward in a research note on Monday, July 20th.

Trending Headlines about Hayward

Here are the key news stories impacting Hayward this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Quarterly earnings and revenue topped expectations. Hayward reported adjusted earnings of $0.26 per share, above the $0.24 consensus estimate, while revenue reached $318.38 million versus expectations of $303.35 million. Revenue increased 6.3% year over year, and EPS rose from $0.24 in the prior-year quarter. Hayward Holdings Surpasses Q2 Earnings and Revenue Estimates
• Positive Sentiment: Management characterized the business as resilient. Earnings-call coverage highlighted continued growth and resilience, which may reassure investors concerned about demand for pool equipment and broader consumer spending. Hayward Holdings Earnings Call Highlights Growth, Resilience
• Neutral Sentiment: Full-year 2026 guidance was confirmed. Hayward expects EPS of $0.84-$0.87 and revenue of approximately $1.2 billion. The EPS range broadly brackets the $0.86 analyst consensus, while revenue guidance is generally in line with expectations—providing stability but limited evidence of a major forecast upgrade. Hayward Holdings Reports Second Quarter Fiscal Year 2026 Results
• Neutral Sentiment: Investor reaction remains measured. The earnings beat supports the stock, but unchanged guidance and a share price near its 50-day and 200-day moving averages suggest investors may be waiting for stronger forward-growth signals before assigning a higher valuation.

Hayward Stock Performance

Hayward stock opened at $15.38 on Friday. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $15.04 and its 200-day moving average price is $15.10. The company has a quick ratio of 2.47, a current ratio of 3.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.59. The company has a market cap of $3.34 billion, a PE ratio of 20.79, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 1.07. Hayward has a twelve month low of $12.93 and a twelve month high of $17.73.

Hayward (NYSE:HAYW) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 29th. The company reported $0.26 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.24 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $318.38 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $303.35 million. Hayward had a return on equity of 11.61% and a net margin of 13.83%.The firm’s revenue was up 6.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.24 earnings per share. Hayward has set its FY 2026 guidance at 0.840-0.870 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Hayward will post 0.86 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Hayward

In other news, CEO Kevin Holleran sold 120,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $17.28, for a total transaction of $2,073,600.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 701,234 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $12,117,323.52. The trade was a 14.61% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders sold 222,389 shares of company stock worth $3,649,544 in the last ninety days. 4.73% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Hayward

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Hayward during the second quarter valued at approximately $295,000. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its position in Hayward by 33.6% during the 2nd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 4,760 shares of the company’s stock valued at $82,000 after purchasing an additional 1,198 shares in the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Hayward in the 1st quarter worth $286,000. Bull Harbor Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of Hayward during the 1st quarter worth $260,000. Finally, California State Teachers Retirement System raised its holdings in shares of Hayward by 23.4% in the first quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System now owns 247,777 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,315,000 after acquiring an additional 47,028 shares in the last quarter.

About Hayward

Hayward Holdings, Inc is a leading manufacturer and marketer of residential and commercial swimming pool equipment and related outdoor living products. The company designs, engineers and produces a comprehensive range of products that address water circulation, filtration, heating, sanitation, automation, lighting and cleaning needs for pools and spas. Hayward’s offerings include pumps, filters, heaters, salt and chemical sanitization systems, automation controls, lights, robotic cleaners and various accessories that serve both new pool construction and aftermarket renovation markets.

Hayward’s product portfolio is organized into several core categories.