Short Interest in Leslie’s, Inc. (NASDAQ:LESL) Increases By 65.2%

Posted by Brian Himes on Aug 1st, 2026

Leslie’s, Inc. (NASDAQ:LESL – Get Free Report) saw a large growth in short interest in July. As of July 15th, there was short interest totaling 1,581,147 shares, a growth of 65.2% from the June 30th total of 957,205 shares. Approximately 17.0% of the company’s shares are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 1,721,793 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.9 days.

Leslie’s Stock Performance

Shares of Leslie’s stock opened at $0.95 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.90 million, a PE ratio of -0.03 and a beta of 1.65. Leslie’s has a 52 week low of $0.80 and a 52 week high of $12.53. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $5.59 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $2.92.

Leslie’s (NASDAQ:LESL – Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, May 13th. The company reported ($5.36) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of ($4.41) by ($0.95). The firm had revenue of $184.74 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $162.48 million. Research analysts forecast that Leslie’s will post -2.77 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Jane Street Group LLC grew its holdings in shares of Leslie’s by 61.3% during the second quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 3,570,476 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,499,000 after buying an additional 1,356,700 shares during the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its position in Leslie’s by 923.6% in the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 1,254,176 shares of the company’s stock valued at $922,000 after acquiring an additional 1,131,647 shares in the last quarter. Man Group plc lifted its position in Leslie’s by 87.1% in the 2nd quarter. Man Group plc now owns 1,016,078 shares of the company’s stock valued at $427,000 after acquiring an additional 473,148 shares in the last quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership acquired a new position in Leslie’s during the 2nd quarter valued at about $229,000. Finally, Marshall Wace LLP boosted its stake in Leslie’s by 732.6% during the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 421,280 shares of the company’s stock valued at $177,000 after purchasing an additional 370,680 shares during the last quarter.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

LESL has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Leslie’s from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Sunday, June 14th. Mizuho decreased their price target on shares of Leslie’s from $4.00 to $3.50 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, May 8th. Wolfe Research reiterated an “outperform” rating and set a $3.00 price objective (up from $2.00) on shares of Leslie’s in a report on Thursday, May 14th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a “sell (e+)” rating on shares of Leslie’s in a report on Thursday, June 18th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Reduce” and a consensus price target of $2.85.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Leslie’s

About Leslie’s

(Get Free Report)

Leslie’s, Inc (NASDAQ: LESL) is the largest direct-to-consumer retailer of swimming pool supplies and related equipment in the United States. Through a network of more than 900 company-operated stores and a robust e-commerce platform, the company offers a comprehensive range of pool chemicals, cleaning tools, pumps, filters, heaters and pool accessories. In addition to product retailing, Leslie’s provides in-store and in-home water testing services, equipment installation, repair and ongoing maintenance programs designed to support both residential and commercial pool owners.

Founded in 1963 in North Miami Beach, Florida, Leslie’s has grown from a single neighborhood pool-supply shop into a national specialty retailer.