Buffett’s firm liquidated its 8.3% holding in the pool supplies distributor amid a 70% stock decline from peak levels.
Berkshire Hathaway sold its entire $650 million stake in Pool Corp (POOL) during Q1 2026, unwinding an 8.3% position that had drawn Wall Street attention. The exit follows a near-70% drop in POOL shares from all-time highs, despite the company’s recurring revenue model in pool maintenance and supplies.
Pool Corp, the largest wholesale distributor of pool equipment and chemicals, had appealed to Berkshire for its predictable demand and pricing power. The stock’s 2.8% dividend yield had also aligned with Buffett’s preference for income-generating investments. The COVID-era surge in home pool construction drove prior growth, but the sector has since cooled.
The sale marks a rare full exit by Berkshire from a position of this size, signaling a shift in outlook for the company’s prospects.