Pool posts 4Q loss, annual profit gain

COVINGTON — Swimming pool supplier Pool Corp. posted a typical seasonal loss for the fourth quarter, but pulled in more revenue than Wall Street expected.

For the October-through-December period, Pool lost $10.1 million, or 21 cents per share, on revenue of $270.4 million. In the year-ago fourth quarter, the company lost $11.8 million, or 24 cents per share, on revenue of $241.4 million.

Analysts polled by FactSet had expected the 21-cent loss on revenue of $260.7 million.

For 2011, Pool earned $72 million or $1.47 per share, on revenue of $1.79 billion. A year ago, annual profit totaled $57.6 million, or $11.5 per share, on revenue of $1.6 billion.

Pool said it expected 2012 earnings to range from $1.69 to $1.79 per share.