UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2021March 31, 2022
or
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from             to             

Commission File Number: 0-26640

pool-20220331_g1.jpg 
POOL CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
  
Delaware36-3943363
(State or other jurisdiction of(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)Identification No.)
  
109 Northpark Boulevard,
Covington,Louisiana 70433-5001
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)
(985) 892-5521
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per sharePOOLNasdaq Global Select Market
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.          Yes x    No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulations S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).                        Yes x    No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filerxAccelerated filer
  
Non-accelerated filer  oSmaller reporting company
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).     Yes     No x

As of OctoberApril 25, 2021,2022, there were 40,087,97140,073,690 shares of common stock outstanding.




POOL CORPORATION
Form 10-Q
For the Quarter Ended September 30, 2021March 31, 2022

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
 
   
  
    
  
  
  
  
  
   
 
   
 
   
 
  
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
  





PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.  Financial Statements
POOL CORPORATION
Consolidated Statements of Income
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share data) 
Three Months EndedNine Months EndedThree Months Ended
September 30,September 30,March 31,
2021202020212020 20222021
Net salesNet sales$1,411,448 $1,139,229 $4,260,027 $3,097,362 Net sales$1,412,650 $1,060,745 
Cost of salesCost of sales969,549 810,531 2,965,311 2,205,555 Cost of sales965,461 759,614 
Gross profitGross profit441,899 328,698 1,294,716 891,807 Gross profit447,189 301,131 
Selling and administrative expensesSelling and administrative expenses206,023 180,465 591,223 495,186 Selling and administrative expenses211,466 172,100 
(Recovery) impairment of goodwill and other assets(1,400)— (1,400)6,944 
Operating incomeOperating income237,276 148,233 704,893 389,677 Operating income235,723 129,031 
Interest and other non-operating expenses, netInterest and other non-operating expenses, net2,317 1,861 6,862 9,292 Interest and other non-operating expenses, net5,198 2,582 
Income before income taxes and equity earnings234,959 146,372 698,031 380,385 
Income before income taxes and equity in earningsIncome before income taxes and equity in earnings230,525 126,449 
Provision for income taxesProvision for income taxes50,386 27,360 155,240 73,068 Provision for income taxes51,322 27,869 
Equity earnings in unconsolidated investments, net92 86 224 248 
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated investments, netEquity in earnings of unconsolidated investments, net58 75 
Net incomeNet income$184,665 $119,098 $543,015 $307,565 Net income$179,261 $98,655 
Earnings per share:  
Earnings per share attributable to common stockholders:Earnings per share attributable to common stockholders:  
BasicBasic$4.60 $2.97 $13.53 $7.68 Basic$4.46 $2.45 
DilutedDiluted$4.54 $2.92 $13.32 $7.53 Diluted$4.41 $2.42 
Weighted average shares outstanding:  
Weighted average common shares outstanding:Weighted average common shares outstanding:  
BasicBasic40,101 40,123 40,146 40,073 Basic39,932 40,215 
DilutedDiluted40,691 40,839 40,766 40,849 Diluted40,392 40,846 
Cash dividends declared per common shareCash dividends declared per common share$0.80 $0.58 $2.18 $1.71 Cash dividends declared per common share$0.80 $0.58 

The accompanying Notes are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements.
1


POOL CORPORATION
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
Three Months EndedNine Months EndedThree Months Ended
September 30,September 30,March 31,
2021202020212020 20222021
Net incomeNet income$184,665 $119,098 $543,015 $307,565 Net income$179,261 $98,655 
Other comprehensive (loss) income:Other comprehensive (loss) income:  Other comprehensive (loss) income:  
Foreign currency translation (losses) gains(3,555)2,976 (3,522)(320)
Change in unrealized gains (losses) on interest rate swaps, net of change in taxes of $(491), $(51), $(2,818), and $3,6411,473 154 8,453 (10,923)
Total other comprehensive (loss) income(2,082)3,130 4,931 (11,243)
Foreign currency translation lossesForeign currency translation losses(214)(1,268)
Change in unrealized gains on interest rate swaps, net of change in taxes of $(3,866) and $(3,046)Change in unrealized gains on interest rate swaps, net of change in taxes of $(3,866) and $(3,046)11,598 9,137 
Total other comprehensive incomeTotal other comprehensive income11,384 7,869 
Comprehensive incomeComprehensive income$182,583 $122,228 $547,946 $296,322 Comprehensive income$190,645 $106,524 

The accompanying Notes are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements.









2


POOL CORPORATION
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except share data)
September 30,September 30,December 31,March 31,March 31,December 31,
20212020
2020 (1)
20222021
2021 (1)
(Unaudited)(Unaudited)  (Unaudited)(Unaudited) 
AssetsAssets   Assets   
Current assets:Current assets:   Current assets:   
Cash and cash equivalentsCash and cash equivalents$83,475 $74,749 $34,128 Cash and cash equivalents$35,365 $27,078 $24,321 
Receivables, netReceivables, net174,987 135,555 122,252 Receivables, net195,951 122,938 155,259 
Receivables pledged under receivables facilityReceivables pledged under receivables facility301,163 230,857 166,948 Receivables pledged under receivables facility483,976 364,664 221,312 
Product inventories, netProduct inventories, net1,043,407 612,824 780,989 Product inventories, net1,641,155 977,228 1,339,100 
Prepaid expenses and other current assetsPrepaid expenses and other current assets23,368 12,696 17,610 Prepaid expenses and other current assets42,310 25,390 29,093 
Total current assetsTotal current assets1,626,400 1,066,681 1,121,927 Total current assets2,398,757 1,517,298 1,769,085 
Property and equipment, netProperty and equipment, net111,339 109,086 108,241 Property and equipment, net180,504 109,830 179,008 
GoodwillGoodwill281,300 199,360 268,167 Goodwill688,350 267,914 688,364 
Other intangible assets, netOther intangible assets, net12,067 10,522 12,181 Other intangible assets, net310,848 11,854 312,814 
Equity interest investmentsEquity interest investments1,242 1,314 1,292 Equity interest investments1,184 1,305 1,231 
Operating lease assetsOperating lease assets221,007 180,230 205,875 Operating lease assets260,285 209,036 241,662 
Other assetsOther assets28,878 20,396 21,987 Other assets42,213 24,456 37,967 
Total assetsTotal assets$2,282,233 $1,587,589 $1,739,670 Total assets$3,882,141 $2,141,693 $3,230,131 
Liabilities and stockholders’ equityLiabilities and stockholders’ equity   Liabilities and stockholders’ equity   
Current liabilities:Current liabilities:   Current liabilities:   
Accounts payableAccounts payable$414,156 $268,412 $266,753 Accounts payable$685,946 $634,998 $398,697 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilitiesAccrued expenses and other current liabilities231,794 145,420 143,694 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities179,552 134,670 264,877 
Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debtShort-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt10,744 11,709 11,869 Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt21,265 12,409 11,772 
Current operating lease liabilitiesCurrent operating lease liabilities65,442 56,977 60,933 Current operating lease liabilities71,685 61,265 69,070 
Total current liabilitiesTotal current liabilities722,136 482,518 483,249 Total current liabilities958,448 843,342 744,416 
Deferred income taxesDeferred income taxes30,275 29,476 27,653 Deferred income taxes40,944 31,134 35,840 
Long-term debt, netLong-term debt, net352,075 328,225 404,149 Long-term debt, net1,483,808 420,762 1,171,578 
Other long-term liabilitiesOther long-term liabilities34,176 32,846 38,261 Other long-term liabilities32,940 38,945 31,545 
Non-current operating lease liabilitiesNon-current operating lease liabilities158,359 125,023 146,888 Non-current operating lease liabilities191,723 149,582 175,359 
Total liabilitiesTotal liabilities1,297,021 998,088 1,100,200 Total liabilities2,707,863 1,483,765 2,158,738 
Stockholders’ equity:Stockholders’ equity:   Stockholders’ equity:   
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized;
40,079,584, 40,153,287 and 40,232,210 shares issued and
outstanding at September 30, 2021, September 30, 2020 and
December 31, 2020, respectively
40 40 40 
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized;
40,110,126, 40,086,256 and 40,192,901 shares issued and
outstanding at March 31, 2022, March 31, 2021 and
December 31, 2021, respectively
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized;
40,110,126, 40,086,256 and 40,192,901 shares issued and
outstanding at March 31, 2022, March 31, 2021 and
December 31, 2021, respectively
40 40 40 
Additional paid-in capitalAdditional paid-in capital542,858 513,030 519,579 Additional paid-in capital558,755 526,328 551,963 
Retained earningsRetained earnings451,401 98,033 133,870 Retained earnings611,583 137,710 526,874 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(9,087)(21,602)(14,019)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)3,900 (6,150)(7,484)
Total stockholders’ equityTotal stockholders’ equity985,212 589,501 639,470 Total stockholders’ equity1,174,278 657,928 1,071,393 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equityTotal liabilities and stockholders’ equity$2,282,233 $1,587,589 $1,739,670 Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$3,882,141 $2,141,693 $3,230,131 
(1)  Derived from audited financial statements.
The accompanying Notes are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements.
3


POOL CORPORATION
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
Nine Months Ended Three Months Ended
September 30,March 31,
20212020 20222021
Operating activitiesOperating activities  Operating activities  
Net incomeNet income$543,015 $307,565 Net income$179,261 $98,655 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:  
DepreciationDepreciation21,027 20,979 Depreciation7,663 6,884 
AmortizationAmortization1,064 975 Amortization2,192 421 
Share-based compensationShare-based compensation11,755 11,095 Share-based compensation3,657 3,837 
Equity earnings in unconsolidated investments, net(224)(248)
Impairment of goodwill and other assets 6,944 
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated investments, netEquity in earnings of unconsolidated investments, net(58)(75)
OtherOther5,256 1,092 Other5,777 2,723 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:  Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:  
ReceivablesReceivables(186,772)(135,129)Receivables(303,400)(199,672)
Product inventoriesProduct inventories(267,341)99,767 Product inventories(306,582)(200,185)
Prepaid expenses and other assetsPrepaid expenses and other assets(22,674)311 Prepaid expenses and other assets(23,330)(5,507)
Accounts payableAccounts payable146,616 3,385 Accounts payable287,449 369,665 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilitiesAccrued expenses and other current liabilities107,343 72,178 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities(60,738)367 
Net cash provided by operating activities359,065 388,914 
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activitiesNet cash (used in) provided by operating activities(208,109)77,113 
Investing activitiesInvesting activities  Investing activities  
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquiredAcquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired(17,887)(24,655)Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired (683)
Purchases of property and equipment, net of sale proceedsPurchases of property and equipment, net of sale proceeds(24,223)(16,897)Purchases of property and equipment, net of sale proceeds(9,159)(8,839)
Net cash used in investing activitiesNet cash used in investing activities(42,110)(41,552)Net cash used in investing activities(9,159)(9,522)
Financing activitiesFinancing activities  Financing activities  
Proceeds from revolving line of creditProceeds from revolving line of credit791,508 749,840 Proceeds from revolving line of credit564,288 342,500 
Payments on revolving line of creditPayments on revolving line of credit(730,277)(909,637)Payments on revolving line of credit(604,960)(308,656)
Proceeds from term loan under credit facilityProceeds from term loan under credit facility250,000 — 
Proceeds from asset-backed financingProceeds from asset-backed financing310,000 261,700 Proceeds from asset-backed financing155,000 110,000 
Payments on asset-backed financingPayments on asset-backed financing(415,000)(266,700)Payments on asset-backed financing(50,000)(125,000)
Payments on term facilityPayments on term facility(6,938)(6,938)Payments on term facility(2,313)(2,313)
Proceeds from short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debtProceeds from short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt7,880 13,255 Proceeds from short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt10,277 4,280 
Payments on short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debtPayments on short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt(9,006)(13,291)Payments on short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt(784)(3,740)
Payments of deferred financing costs(1,610)(12)
Payments of deferred and contingent acquisition considerationPayments of deferred and contingent acquisition consideration(362)(281)Payments of deferred and contingent acquisition consideration(1,374)(362)
Proceeds from stock issued under share-based compensation plansProceeds from stock issued under share-based compensation plans11,524 16,696 Proceeds from stock issued under share-based compensation plans3,135 2,912 
Payments of cash dividendsPayments of cash dividends(87,509)(68,599)Payments of cash dividends(32,132)(23,299)
Purchases of treasury stockPurchases of treasury stock(137,975)(76,194)Purchases of treasury stock(62,420)(71,516)
Net cash used in financing activities(267,765)(300,161)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activitiesNet cash provided by (used in) financing activities228,717 (75,194)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalentsEffect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents157 (1,035)Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents(405)553 
Change in cash and cash equivalentsChange in cash and cash equivalents49,347 46,166 Change in cash and cash equivalents11,044 (7,050)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of periodCash and cash equivalents at beginning of period34,128 28,583 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period24,321 34,128 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of periodCash and cash equivalents at end of period$83,475 $74,749 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$35,365 $27,078 

The accompanying Notes are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements.
4



POOL CORPORATION
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)

Common StockAdditional
Paid-In
RetainedAccumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Common StockAdditional
Paid-In
RetainedAccumulated
Other
Comprehensive
SharesAmountCapitalEarningsLossTotalSharesAmountCapitalEarningsIncomeTotal
Balance at December 31, 202040,232 $40 $519,579 $133,870 $(14,019)$639,470 
Balance at December 31, 2021Balance at December 31, 202140,193 $40 $551,963 $526,874 $(7,484)$1,071,393 
Net incomeNet income— — — 98,655 — 98,655 Net income— — — 179,261 — 179,261 
Foreign currency translationForeign currency translation— — — — (1,268)(1,268)Foreign currency translation— — — — (214)(214)
Interest rate swaps, net of the change in taxes of $(3,046)— — — — 9,137 9,137 
Interest rate swaps, net of the change in taxes of $(3,866)Interest rate swaps, net of the change in taxes of $(3,866)— — — — 11,598 11,598 
Repurchases of common stock, net of retirementsRepurchases of common stock, net of retirements(215)— — (71,516)— (71,516)Repurchases of common stock, net of retirements(138)— — (62,420)— (62,420)
Share-based compensationShare-based compensation— — 3,837 — — 3,837 Share-based compensation— — 3,657 — — 3,657 
Issuance of stock under share-based compensation plansIssuance of stock under share-based compensation plans69 — 2,912 — — 2,912 Issuance of stock under share-based compensation plans55 — 3,135 — — 3,135 
Declaration of cash dividendsDeclaration of cash dividends— — — (23,299)— (23,299)Declaration of cash dividends— —  (32,132)— (32,132)
Balance at March 31, 202140,086 40 526,328 137,710 (6,150)657,928 
Net income— — — 259,695 — 259,695 
Foreign currency translation— — — — 1,302 1,302 
Interest rate swaps, net of the change in taxes of $719— — — — (2,157)(2,157)
Repurchases of common stock, net of retirements(45)— — (18,619)— (18,619)
Share-based compensation— — 3,712 — — 3,712 
Issuance of stock under share-based compensation plans90 — 5,006 — — 5,006 
Declaration of cash dividends— — — (32,119)— (32,119)
Balance at June 30, 202140,131 40 535,046 346,667 (7,005)874,748 
Net income— — — 184,665 — 184,665 
Foreign currency translation— — — — (3,555)(3,555)
Interest rate swaps, net of the change in taxes of $(491)— — — — 1,473 1,473 
Repurchases of common stock, net of retirements(100)— — (47,840)— (47,840)
Share-based compensation— — 4,206 — — 4,206 
Issuance of stock under share-based compensation plans49 — 3,606 — — 3,606 
Declaration of cash dividends— — — (32,091)— (32,091)
Balance at September 30, 202140,080 $40 $542,858 $451,401 $(9,087)$985,212 
Balance at March 31, 2022Balance at March 31, 202240,110$40 $558,755 $611,583 $3,900 $1,174,278 
5



Common StockAdditional
Paid-In
Retained EarningsAccumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Common StockAdditional
Paid-In
RetainedAccumulated
Other
Comprehensive
SharesAmountCapital(Deficit)LossTotal SharesAmountCapitalEarningsLossTotal
Balance at December 31, 201940,074 $40 $485,239 $(64,740)$(10,359)$410,180 
Balance at December 31, 2020Balance at December 31, 202040,232 $40 $519,579 $133,870 $(14,019)$639,470 
Net incomeNet income— — — 30,912 — 30,912 Net income— — — 98,655 — 98,655 
Foreign currency translationForeign currency translation— — — — (5,430)(5,430)Foreign currency translation— — — — (1,268)(1,268)
Interest rate swaps, net of the change in taxes of $2,837— — — — (8,510)(8,510)
Repurchases of common stock, net of retirements(362)— — (66,619)— (66,619)
Share-based compensation— — 3,654 — — 3,654 
Issuance of stock under share-based compensation plans219 — 6,358 — — 6,358 
Declaration of cash dividends— — — (22,147)— (22,147)
Balance at March 31, 202039,93140 495,251 (122,594)(24,299)348,398 
Net income— — — 157,555 — 157,555 
Foreign currency translation— — — — 2,134 2,134 
Interest rate swaps, net of the change in taxes of $855— — — — (2,567)(2,567)
Interest rate swaps, net of the change in taxes of $(3,046)Interest rate swaps, net of the change in taxes of $(3,046)— — — — 9,137 9,137 
Repurchases of common stock, net of retirementsRepurchases of common stock, net of retirements(19)— — (3,584)— (3,584)Repurchases of common stock, net of retirements(215)— — (71,516)— (71,516)
Share-based compensationShare-based compensation— — 3,567 — — 3,567 Share-based compensation— — 3,837 — — 3,837 
Issuance of stock under share-based compensation plansIssuance of stock under share-based compensation plans130 — 4,453 — — 4,453 Issuance of stock under share-based compensation plans69 — 2,912 — — 2,912 
Declaration of cash dividendsDeclaration of cash dividends— — — (23,165)— (23,165)Declaration of cash dividends— — — (23,299)— (23,299)
Balance at June 30, 202040,042 40 503,271 8,212 (24,732)486,791 
Net income— — — 119,098 — 119,098 
Foreign currency translation— — — — 2,976 2,976 
Interest rate swaps, net of the change in taxes of $(51)— — — — 154 154 
Repurchases of common stock, net of retirements(20)— — (5,990)— (5,990)
Share-based compensation— — 3,874 — — 3,874 
Issuance of stock under share-based compensation plans131 — 5,885 — — 5,885 
Declaration of cash dividends— — — (23,287)— (23,287)
Balance at September 30, 202040,153$40 $513,030 $98,033 $(21,602)$589,501 
Balance at March 31, 2021Balance at March 31, 202140,086 $40 $526,328 $137,710 $(6,150)$657,928 


The accompanying Notes are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements.
65


POOL CORPORATION
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Pool Corporation (the Company, which may be referred to as we, us or our) prepared the unaudited interim Consolidated Financial Statements following U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for interim financial information. As permitted under those rules, we have condensed or omitted certain footnotes and other financial information required for complete financial statements. 

The interim Consolidated Financial Statements include all normal and recurring adjustments that are necessary for a fair presentation of our financial position and operating results. All significant intercompany accounts and intercompany transactions have been eliminated.

A description of our significant accounting policies is included in our 20202021 Annual Report on Form 10-K. You should read the interim Consolidated Financial Statements in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes in our 20202021 Annual Report on Form 10-K.  The results for our three and nine month periodsthree-month period ended September 30, 2021March 31, 2022, are not necessarily indicative of the expected results for our fiscal year ending December 31, 2021.2022.

Newly Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

On January 1, 2021, we adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740),Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. This new standard simplified the accounting for income taxes by eliminating certain exceptions related to the approach for intraperiod tax allocation, the methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period and the recognition of deferred tax liabilities for outside basis differences. Most amendments were required to be applied on a prospective basis, while certain amendments were required to be applied on a retrospective or modified retrospective basis. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements or related disclosures, and we do not expect a material impact in future periods.

Income0Income Taxes

We reduce federal and state income taxes payable by the tax benefits associated with the exercise of nonqualified stock options and the lapse of restrictions on restricted stock awards. To the extent realized tax deductions exceed the amount of previously recognized deferred tax benefits related to share-based compensation, we record an excess tax benefit. We record all excess tax benefits as a component of income tax benefit or expense on the Consolidated Statements of Income in the period in which stock options are exercised or restrictions on restricted stock awards lapse. We recorded excess tax benefits of $4.2$7.3 million in the thirdfirst quarter of 20212022 compared to $8.5$4.0 million in the thirdfirst quarter of 2020 and $15.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to $22.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2020.2021.

Retained Earnings

We account for the retirement of treasury shares as a reduction of Retained earnings. As of September 30, 2021,March 31, 2022, the Retained earnings on our Consolidated Balance Sheets reflects cumulative net income, the cumulative impact of adjustments for changes in accounting pronouncements, treasury share retirements since the inception of our share repurchase programs of $1.7 billion and cumulative dividends of $758.3$822.5 million.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive LossIncome (Loss)

The table below presents the components of our Accumulated other comprehensive lossincome (loss) balance (in thousands):
September 30,December 31,
202120202020
Foreign currency translation adjustments$(8,437)$(10,447)$(4,917)
Unrealized losses on interest rate swaps, net of tax(650)(11,155)(9,102)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss$(9,087)$(21,602)$(14,019)
March 31,December 31,
202220212021
Foreign currency translation adjustments$(9,794)$(6,185)$(9,580)
Unrealized gains on interest rate swaps, net of tax13,694 35 2,096 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)$3,900 $(6,150)$(7,484)


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Recent Accounting Pronouncements Pending Adoption
The following table summarizes the recent accounting pronouncements that we plan to adopt in future periods:
StandardDescriptionEffective DateEffect on Financial Statements and Other Significant Matters
ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting and ASU 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Scope
Provides temporary optional guidance to ease the potential burden in accounting for reference rate reform. The new guidance provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying generally accepted accounting principles to transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. These transactions include: contract modifications, hedging relationships, and sale or transfer of debt securities classified as held-to-maturity. Entities may apply the provisions of the new standard as of the beginning of the reporting period when the election is made. In January 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Scope. The amendments in this ASU refine the scope of ASC 848 and clarify some of its guidance as it relates to recent rate reform activities.
The provisions of these updates are only available until December 31, 2022, when the reference rate replacement activity is expected to be completed.We are currently evaluatingdo not expect that there will be a material impact to the effectfinancial statements as a result of adopting these standards will have on our financial position, results of operations and related disclosures.ASUs.

Note 2 – Earnings Per Share

We calculate basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS) by dividing Netusing the two-class method. Earnings per share under the two-class method is calculated using net income attributable to common stockholders, which is net income reduced by the earnings allocated to participating securities. Our participating securities include share-based payment awards that contain a non-forfeitable right to receive dividends and are considered to participate in undistributed earnings with common shareholders. Participating securities excluded from weighted average number of common shares outstanding.  Diluted EPS reflectsoutstanding were 239,000 for the dilutive effects of potentially dilutive securities, which include in-the-money outstanding stock options and shares to be purchased under our employee stock purchase plan. Using the treasury stock method, the effect of dilutive securities includes these additional shares of common stock that would have been outstanding based on the assumption that these potentially dilutive securities had been issued.three months ended March 31, 2022.

StockThe table below presents the computation of earnings per share, including the reconciliation of basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in thousands, except per share data):
 Three Months Ended
March 31,
 20222021
Net income$179,261 $98,655 
Amounts allocated to participating securities(1,051)— 
Net income attributable to common stockholders$178,210 $98,655 
Weighted average common shares outstanding:  
Basic39,932 40,215 
Effect of dilutive securities:  
Stock options and employee stock purchase plan460 631 
Diluted40,392 40,846 
Earnings per share attributable to common stockholders:  
Basic$4.46 $2.45 
Diluted$4.41 $2.42 
Anti-dilutive stock options excluded from diluted earnings per share computations (1)
1 — 
(1)Since these options withhave exercise prices that are higher than the average market prices of our common stock, forincluding them in the periods presented are excluded from the diluted EPS calculation because thewould have an anti-dilutive effect is anti-dilutive.

The table below presents the computation of EPS, including the reconciliation of basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in thousands, except EPS):
 Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
September 30,September 30,
 2021202020212020
Net income$184,665 $119,098 $543,015 $307,565 
Weighted average shares outstanding:  
Basic40,101 40,123 40,146 40,073 
Effect of dilutive securities:  
Stock options and employee stock purchase plan590 716 620 776 
Diluted40,691 40,839 40,766 40,849 
Earnings per share:  
Basic$4.60 $2.97 $13.53 $7.68 
Diluted$4.54 $2.92 $13.32 $7.53 
Anti-dilutive stock options excluded from diluted earnings per share computations —  — 

on earnings per share.
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Note 3 – Acquisitions

On December 16, 2021, we acquired Porpoise Pool & Patio, Inc. (“Porpoise”) for $788.7 million, net of cash acquired, subject to certain customary closing adjustments. The acquisition was funded with borrowings on our amended and restated revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”). Porpoise’s primary operations, Sun Wholesale Supply, Inc., a wholesale distributor of swimming pool and outdoor-living products, added 1 distribution location in Florida. It also services Pinch A Penny, Inc., a franchisor of independently owned and operated pool and outdoor living-related specialty retail stores.

We preliminarily recognized goodwill of $403.5 million, other intangible assets of $301.0 million and tangible assets of $84.2 million, which included $57.4 million of acquired land and buildings. For additional discussion of goodwill and other intangible assets, see Note 3 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements,” included in Part II, Item 8 of our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The final allocation of the fair value of the Porpoise acquisition, including the allocation of goodwill and intangible assets, is not complete but will be finalized within the allowable measurement period. We do not expect the future results of this acquisition to have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.

In December 2021, we acquired the distribution assets of Wingate Supply, Inc., a wholesale distributor of irrigation and landscape maintenance products, adding 1 location in Florida.

In June 2021, we acquired the distribution assets of Vak Pak Builders Supply, Inc., a wholesale distributor of swimming pool equipment, chemicals and supplies, adding 1 location in Florida.

In April 2021, we acquired Pool Source, LLC, a wholesale distributor of swimming pool equipment, chemicals and supplies, adding 1 location in Tennessee.

In December 2020,Other than the Porpoise acquisition, we acquired the distribution assets of TWC Distributors, Inc., a wholesale distributor of irrigation and landscape maintenance products, adding 9 locations in Florida and 1 in Georgia.

In October 2020, we acquired Jet Line Products, Inc., a wholesale distributor of swimming pool equipment, chemicals and supplies, adding 3 locations in New Jersey, 3 locations in New York, 2 locations in Texas and 1 location in Florida.

In September 2020, we acquired the distribution assets of Northeastern Swimming Pool Distributors, Inc., a wholesale distributor of swimming pool equipment, chemicals and supplies, adding 2 locations in Ontario, Canada.

In February 2020, we acquired the distribution assets of Master Tile Network LLC, a wholesale distributor of swimming pool tile and hardscape products, adding 2 locations in Texas, 1 location in Nevada and 1 location in Oklahoma.

We have completed our acquisition accounting for these acquisitions, subject to adjustments for standard holdback provisions per the terms of the purchase agreements, which are not material.

These acquisitions did not have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations, either individually or in the aggregate.


Note 4 – Fair Value Measurements and Interest Rate Swaps

Our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis include the unrealized gains or losses on our interest rate swap contracts and contingent consideration related to recent acquisitions. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under the accounting guidance are described below:

Level 1    Inputs to the valuation methodology are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
Level 2     Inputs to the valuation methodology include:
quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;
quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets;
inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or
inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.
Level 3    Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.
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Recurring Fair Value Measurements

The table below presents the estimated fair values of our interest rate swap contracts, our forward-starting interest rate swap contracts and our contingent consideration liabilities (in thousands):
 Fair Value at September 30,
20212020
Level 2
Unrealized gains on interest rate swaps$5,488 $— 
Unrealized losses on interest rate swaps6,308 14,828 
Level 3
Contingent consideration liabilities$983 $869 

 Fair Value at March 31,
20222021
Level 2
Unrealized gains on interest rate swaps$18,817 $8,180 
Unrealized losses on interest rate swaps514 8,088 
Level 3
Contingent consideration liabilities$600 $993 
Interest Rate Swaps

We utilize interest rate swap contracts and forward-starting interest rate swap contracts to reduce our exposure to fluctuations in variable interest rates for future interest payments on our variable rate borrowings. 

For determining the fair value of our interest rate swap contracts and forward-starting interest rate swap contracts, we use significant other observable market data or assumptions (Level 2 inputs) that we believe market participants would use in pricing similar assets or liabilities, including assumptions about counterparty risk.  Our fair value estimates reflect an income approach based on the terms of the interest rate swap contracts and inputs corroborated by observable market data including interest rate curves. We include unrealized gains in Prepaid expenses and other current assets and unrealized losses in Accrued expenses and other current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

We recognize any differences between the variable interest rate in effect and the fixed interest rates per our swap contracts as an adjustment to interest expense over the life of the swaps. To the extent our derivatives are effective in offsetting the variability of the hedged cash flows, we record the changes in the estimated fair value of our interest rate swap contracts to Accumulated other comprehensive lossincome (loss) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

We currently have three interest rate swap contracts in place, two of which became effective on November 20, 2020, and terminate on September 29, 2022, and a third that became effective on February 26, 2021, and terminates on February 28, 2025. These swap contracts were previously forward-starting and convert the variable interest rate to a fixed interest rate on our variable rate borrowings. Interest expense related to the notional amounts under these swap contracts is based on the fixed rates plus the applicable margin on our variable rate borrowings. Changes in the estimated fair value of these interest rate swap contracts are recorded to Accumulated other comprehensive lossincome (loss) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The following table provides additional details related to these swap contracts:
DerivativeInception DateEffective DateTermination DateNotional Amount
(in millions)
Fixed Interest Rate
Interest rate swap 1May 7, 2019November 20, 2020September 29, 2022$75.02.0925%
Interest rate swap 2July 25, 2019November 20, 2020September 29, 2022$75.01.5500%
Interest rate swap 3February 5, 2020February 26, 2021February 28, 2025$150.01.3800%

For the interest rate swap contracts in effect at September 30, 2021,March 31, 2022, a portion of the change in the estimated fair value between periods relates to future interest expense. Recognition of the change in fair value between periods attributable to accrued interest is reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive lossincome (loss) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets to Interest and other non-operating expenses, net on the Consolidated Statements of Income. This amount was not material in the nine-monththree-month period ended September 30, 2021.March 31, 2022.

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We have entered into forward-starting interest rate swap contracts to extend the hedged period for future interest payments on our variable rate borrowings. These swap contracts will convert the variable interest rate to a fixed interest rate on our variable rate borrowings. Changes in the estimated fair value of these forward-starting interest rate swap contracts are recorded to Accumulated other comprehensive lossincome (loss) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The following table provides details related to each of our forward-starting interest rate swap contracts:
DerivativeInception DateEffective DateTermination DateNotional
Amount
(in millions)
Fixed
Interest
Rate
Forward-starting interest rate swap 1March 9, 2020September 29, 2022February 26, 2027$150.00.7400%
Forward-starting interest rate swap 2March 9, 2020February 28, 2025February 26, 2027$150.00.8130%

Failure of our swap counterparties would result in the loss of any potential benefit to us under our swap agreements. In this case, we would still be obligated to pay the variable interest payments underlying our debt agreements.  Additionally, failure of our swap counterparties would not eliminate our obligation to continue to make payments under our existing swap agreements if we continue to be in a net pay position.

Our interest rate swap contracts and forward-starting interest rate swap contracts are subject to master netting arrangements. According to our accounting policy, we do not offset the fair values of assets with the fair values of liabilities related to these contracts.

Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements

In addition to our assets and liabilities that we measure at fair value on a recurring basis, our assets and liabilities are also subject to nonrecurring fair value measurements. Generally, our assets, including long-lived assets, goodwill and intangible assets, are recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as a result of impairment charges or business combinations. In the ninethree months ended September 30, 2021,March 31, 2022, we did not record any significant nonrecurring fair value measurements for assets or liabilities in periods subsequent to their initial recognition.

Other

The carrying values of cash, receivables, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate fair value due to the short maturity of those instruments. The carrying value of long-term debt approximates fair value (Level 3 inputs).  Our determination of the estimated fair value reflects a discounted cash flow model using our estimates, including assumptions related to borrowing rates (Level 3 inputs).
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Note 5 – Debt

The table below presents the components of our debt (in thousands):

 September 30,
 20212020
Variable rate debt
Short-term borrowings$ $— 
Current portion of long-term debt:
Australian credit facility10,744 11,709 
Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt10,744 11,709 
Long-term portion:  
Revolving credit facility170,255 40,876 
Term facility168,812 178,062 
Receivables securitization facility15,000 110,000 
Less: financing costs, net1,992 713 
Long-term debt, net352,075 328,225 
Total debt $362,819 $339,934 

Revolving Credit Facility
 March 31,
 20222021
Variable rate debt
Short-term borrowings$10,854 $2,216 
Current portion of long-term debt:
Australian credit facility10,411 10,193 
Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt21,265 12,409 
Long-term portion:  
Revolving credit facility532,253 142,868 
Term loan under credit facility500,000 — 
Term facility164,188 173,438 
Receivables securitization facility290,000 105,000 
Less: financing costs, net2,633 544 
Long-term debt, net1,483,808 420,762 
Total debt $1,505,073 $433,171 

On September 27,January 4, 2022, we drew the $250.0 million incremental term loan available under our December 30, 2021 we entered into theamendment to our Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) among us, as U.S. Borrower, SCP Distributors Canada Inc., as Canadian Borrower, SCP International, Inc., as Euro Borrower, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent (the “Agent”), and certain other lenders party thereto. The Credit Agreement amended and restated the predecessor senior credit facility (as amended, the “Credit Facility”) principally by increasingand used the total borrowing capacity from $750.0 millionnet proceeds to $1.0 billion through the addition of a delayed-draw term loan facility of $250.0 million. Under this term loan facility, we may draw term loans at any time prior to March 25, 2022. Any such term loans would require quarterly amortization payments aggregating to 20% of the original principal amount of the loan during the third, fourth and fifth years of the loan, with all remaining principal due on September 25, 2026. All other terms of any such term loans would be substantially similar to those governingreduce our revolving credit loans under the Credit Agreement.

In addition, the Credit Agreement further amended and restated the Credit Facility in the following ways:
extending the maturity of the Credit Facility from September 29, 2022 to September 25, 2026;
making available lower interest rates;
increasing the amount of incremental facility commitments that we can request from $75.0 million to $250.0 million; and
providing additional capacity under certain negative covenants related to indebtedness, liens, investments, acquisitions, share repurchases and dividends.

All obligations under the Credit Agreement continue to be guaranteed on an unsecured basis by substantially all of our existing and future domestic subsidiaries. The Credit Agreement also continues to contain various customary affirmative and negative covenants and events of default. The occurrence of any of these events of default would permit the lenders to, among other things, require immediate payment of all amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement.

Revolving borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest, at our option, at eitherFacility. At March 31, 2022, $500.0 million of the following and, in each case, plus an applicable margin:

a.a base rate, which is the highest of (i) the Agent's prime rate, (ii) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.500% and (iii) (a) prior to the USD LIBOR Transition Date, the Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate for Dollars for a one-month term in effect on such day plus 1.00% and (b) on and after the USD LIBOR Transition Date, Daily Simple RFR for Dollars in effect on such day plus 1.00%; or
b.(i) prior to the USD LIBOR Transition Date, the Eurocurrency Rate and (ii) on or after the USD LIBOR Transition Date or a Benchmark Transition Event, the applicable Benchmark Replacement.

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Borrowings by the Canadian Borrower bear interest, at the Canadian Borrower’s option, at either of the following and, in each case, plus an applicable margin:

a.a base rate, which is the greatest of (i) the Canadian Reference Bank prime rate and (ii) the Canadian Dealer Offered Rate (“CDOR”) plus 1.00%; or
b.CDOR.

Borrowings by the Euro Borrower bear interest at the Eurocurrency rate plus an applicable margin.

Borrowings under any swingline loans available under the Credit Facility bear interest, at our option, at either of the following and, in each case, plus an applicable margin:
a.the LIBOR Market Index Rate; or
b.a base rate, which is the highest of (i) the Agent's prime rate, (ii) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.500% and (iii) (a) prior to the USD LIBOR Transition Date, the Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate for Dollars for a one-month term in effect on such day plus 1.00% and (b) on and after the USD LIBOR Transition Date, Daily Simple RFR for Dollars in effect on such day plus 1.00%.

The interest rate margins on borrowings and letters of credit issued under the Credit Agreement are based on our leverage ratio and will range from 0.000% to 0.425% on Base Rate and Canadian Base Rate loans and from 0.910% to 1.425% on CDOR, LIBOR and swingline loans (with all such rates being calculated in accordance with the terms and by reference to the definitions specified in the Credit Agreement). We are also required to pay an annual facility fee with respect to the lenders' aggregate revolving credit commitment, the amount of which is based on our leverage ratio.

Term Facility

On October 12, 2021, we entered into the First Amendment to the Credit Agreement (as amended, the “Term Facility Agreement”) among us, as Borrower and Bank of America, N.A., as the Lender. Among other items, the amendment provides additional capacity under certain negative covenants related to indebtedness, liens, investments, acquisitions, share repurchases and dividends.

All obligations under the Term Facility Agreement, which matures on December 30, 2026, continue to be guaranteed on an unsecured basis by substantially all of our existing and future domestic subsidiaries. The Term Facility Agreement also continues to contain various customary affirmative and negative covenants and events of default. The occurrence of any of these events of default would permit the lenders to, among other things, require immediate payment of all amounts outstanding under the Term Facility Agreement.

Borrowings under the term loan facility (the “Term Facility”) available under the Term Facility Agreement bear interest, at our option, at either of the following and, in each case, plus an applicable margin:
a.a base rate, which is the greatest of (i) the rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the business day next succeeding such day plus 0.50%, (ii) Bank of America's prime rate, or (iii) the Eurodollar Rate (defined below) plus 1.00%; or
b.the Eurodollar Rate, which is the greater of (i) the rate per annum equal to the USD LIBOR as administered by the ICE Benchmark Administration, or a comparable or successor administrator approved by the Lender or (ii) a floor rate specified in the Term Facility Agreement.

The interest rate margins on the borrowings under the Term Facility Agreement are based on our leverage ratio and will range from 0.000% to 0.625% on Base Rate borrowings and 1.000% to 1.625% on Eurodollar Rate borrowings (with all such rates being calculated in accordance with the terms and by reference to the definitions specified in the Term Facility Agreement).

13


Receivables Securitization Facilitywere fully drawn.

Our accounts receivable securitization facility (the “Receivables Facility”) provides for the sale of certain of our receivables to a wholly owned subsidiary (the “Securitization Subsidiary”). The Securitization Subsidiary transfers variable undivided percentage interests in the receivables and related rights to certain third-party financial institutions in exchange for cash proceeds, limited to the applicable funding capacities.

We account for the sale of the receivable interests as a secured borrowing on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The receivables subject to the agreement collateralize the cash proceeds received from the third-party financial institutions. We classify the entire outstanding balance as Long-term debt, net on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as we intend and have the ability to refinance the obligations on a long-term basis. We present the receivables that collateralize the cash proceeds separately as Receivables pledged under receivables facility on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Financial Covenants

Following their recent amendments, the Credit Facility and Term Facility continue to require us to maintain a maximum average total leverage ratio and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio consistent with the terms in effect prior to the amendment.

As amended, the Credit Facility and Term Facility limit the declaration and payment of dividends on our common stock to a manner consistent with past practice, provided no default or event of default has occurred and is continuing, or would result from the payment of dividends.  We may declare and pay quarterly dividends so long as (i) the amount per share of such dividends is not greater than the most recently publicly announced amount dividends per share and (ii) our Average Total Leverage Ratio is less than 3.25 to 1.00 both immediately before and after giving pro forma effect to such dividends. Under the Credit Facility and Term Facility, we may repurchase shares of our common stock provided no default or event of default has occurred and is continuing, or would result from the repurchase of shares, and our maximum average total leverage ratio (determined on a pro forma basis) is less than 3.25 to 1.00.  

Other covenants include restrictions on our ability to grant liens, incur indebtedness, make investments, merge or consolidate, and sell or transfer assets.  Failure to comply with any of our financial covenants or any other terms of any of our debt facilities could result in higher interest rates on our borrowings or the acceleration of the maturities of our outstanding debt.

As of September 30, 2021, we were in compliance with all material covenants and financial ratio requirements under our Credit Facility, our Term Facility and our Receivables Facility.

1411


Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

You should read the following discussion in conjunction with the accompanying interim Consolidated Financial Statements and notes, the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes in our 20202021 Annual Report on Form 10-K and with Management’s Discussion and Analysis in our 20202021 Annual Report on Form 10-K.  

For a discussion of our base business calculations, see the Results of Operations section below.

Forward-Looking Statements

This report contains forward-looking information that involves risks and uncertainties.  Our forward-looking statements express our current expectations or forecasts of possible future results or events, including projections of earnings and other financial performance measures, statements of management’s expectations regarding our plans and objectives and industry, general economic and other forecasts of trends, future dividend payments and share repurchases, and other matters. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this filing, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise such statements to reflect new circumstances or unanticipated events as they occur.  You can identify these statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historic or current facts and often use words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “believe,” “will likely result,” “outlook,” “project,” “may,” “can,” “plan,” “target,” “potential,” “should” and other words and expressions of similar meaning.

No assurance can be given that the expected results in any forward-looking statement will be achieved, and actual results may differ materially due to one or more factors, including impacts on our business from the COVID-19 pandemic and the extent to which strong demand driven by home-centric trends will continue, accelerate or reverse; the sensitivity of our business to weather conditions; changes in the economy andeconomy; consumer discretionary spending; the housing market;market or inflation rates; our ability to maintain favorable relationships with suppliers and manufacturers; competition from other leisure product alternatives andor mass merchants; our ability to continue to execute our growth strategies; excess tax benefits or deficiencies recognized under ASU 2016-09 and other risks detailed in our 20202021 Annual Report on Form 10-K.  For these statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

OVERVIEW

Impact of the COVID-19 PandemicFinancial Results

We continue to monitor the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which began impacting our business and the global economyNet sales increased 33% in the first quarter of 2020.

We are designated as an essential business in almost all of our markets. Our products are used to maintain and protect outdoor commercial, residential and municipal environments through chemically-balanced, virus and bacteria-free swimming pool water. We also supply products used in the prevention of runoff, flood, fire and other natural disasters. These products are essential to the health and safety of the general public. In limited instances, we have had to close facilities as a result of government regulations, as well as COVID-19 cases. The direct impact of any closures to date have not had a material impact on our operations.

Beginning in the middle of March 2020, when stay-at-home orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic were initially issued, we experienced sales declines across most markets. As stay-at-home restrictions eased in late April through early May, our business not only rebounded, but accelerated. Throughout the remainder of 2020, we experienced unprecedented demand as families spent more time at home and sought out opportunities to create or expand existing home-based outdoor living and entertainment spaces, and these trends have continued in 2021 to date. While this trend has had a positive impact on our financial performance over the past year and a half, it is unclear what the long-term impact will be. In addition, governmental restrictions in 2020 had a material impact on some of our customers, limiting their ability to operate in certain geographies for a short period of time.

15


Our balance sheet is strong with low leverage and sufficient access to additional capital. Supply disruptions have largely been limited to categories with the greatest demand (including heat-related equipment, chemicals, in-ground swimming pools and above-ground swimming pools) and have not had a material impact on our net sales. Beginning in the second quarter of 2021 and continuing through the third quarter, we have made significant investments in inventory to support increased demand and help manage potential supply chain disruptions that could negatively impact customer service. Continued impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with heightened demand, could adversely impact our supply chain, making it difficult to source and receive products needed to keep our customers adequately supplied.

Given the uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, we reduced capital expenditures and operating costs for labor, fuel, utilities, advertising, meetings, travel and entertainment. Capital expenditures in 2020 were $21.7 million or approximately 65% of 2019 capital expenditures. Although we have increased our capital spending in 2021, we expect our capital expenditures for the year to be lower than our historical average of 1.0% of net sales due to our significant sales growth. Our expense growth through the third quarter of 2021 was partially offset by lower discretionary spending for advertising, meetings, travel and entertainment, which we expect to continue through the end of the year as business travel activity lagged in the third quarter of 2021 with the onset of the Delta variant.

The health, safety and security of our employees has been, and remains, our highest priority. We have adapted our operations and implemented a number of measures to facilitate a safer sales center environment for both our customers and employees, which includes following best practices and guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We implemented enhanced hygiene and sanitation practices at our sales centers and at our corporate offices in 2020, and we continue to evaluate and maintain them.

We expect the impact of the pandemic on our business and financial results in 2021 will continue to vary by location and depend on numerous evolving factors that we are not able to accurately predict. These factors include the duration and scope of the pandemic, global economic conditions during and after the pandemic, the re-institution of governmental actions that could restrict the activities of our customers, vendors or employees, the possibility of additional subsequent outbreaks, the sustainability of current home-centric trends and other changes in customer and supplier behavior in response to the pandemic.

Financial Results

In the third quarter of 2021, net sales increased 24%2022 to $1.4 billion compared to $1.1 billion in the thirdfirst quarter of 2020, while base2021. Base business sales grew 19%26%. This growth is on top of 27% growthThe increase in the third quarter of last year, bringing our year-to-date net sales growth to $1.2 billion. Our salesreflects continued to benefit from elevatedstrong demand for outdoor living products along with favorable weather conditions. Our rigorous commitmentin addition to operating efficiencyelevated price inflation of approximately 10% to 12%. Sales also benefited approximately 5% from both accelerated customer early buys and capacity creation, along with our strategic focus on inventory purchasesan extra selling day in the first quarter of 2022 compared to serve demand has allowed us to fulfill our customers' high volumes.the first quarter of 2021.
Gross profit increased 34%49% to $441.9$447.2 million in the thirdfirst quarter of 20212022 from $328.7$301.1 million in the same period of 2020.2021. Base business gross profit improved 29%38% over the thirdfirst quarter of 2020.2021. Gross margin increased 240330 basis points to 31.3%31.7% in the thirdfirst quarter of 20212022 compared to 28.9%28.4% in the thirdfirst quarter of 2020,2021, while base business gross margin increased 250270 basis points, primarily reflecting benefits frompoints. Our prior year strategic initiative to build inventory benefited our supply chain management initiatives.

gross margin in the first quarter of 2022.
Selling and administrative expenses (operating expenses), including the recovery of goodwill and other assets, increased 13%23% to $204.6$211.5 million in the third quarter of 2021 compared to $180.5 million in the third quarter of 2020, while base business operating expenses grew 7%, primarily due to growth-driven labor, facility and freight costs, along with increased investments in technology. In the third quarter of 2021, we recovered $1.4 million of a $2.5 million note impairment recorded in the first quarter of 2020.2022 compared to $172.1 million in the first quarter of 2021. Our operating expenses have increased as we expand our workforce and reward our employees through performance-based compensation. Other incremental operating expense increases relate to recent acquisitions, growth-driven facility and freight costs and increased investments in our digital transformation initiatives. As a percentage of net sales, operating expenses decreased to 14.5%15.0% in the thirdfirst quarter of 20212022 compared to 15.8%16.2% in the same period of 2020, reflecting continued strong expense control.2021.
Operating income in the thirdfirst quarter of 20212022 increased 60%83% to $237.3$235.7 million compared to $148.2$129.0 million in the same period in 2020.2021. Operating margin was 16.8%16.7% in the thirdfirst quarter of 20212022 compared to 13.0%12.2% in the thirdfirst quarter of 2020 while base2021. Base business operating margin was 17.1%16.5%, up 410430 basis points from the prior year period.
We recorded a $4.2$7.3 million, or $0.10$0.18 per diluted share, tax benefit from Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, in the quarter ended September 30, 2021,March 31, 2022, compared to a tax benefit of $8.5$4.0 million, or $0.21$0.10 per diluted share, realized in the same period of 2020.2021.
12


Net income increased 55%82% to $184.7$179.3 million in the thirdfirst quarter of 20212022 compared to $119.1$98.7 million in the thirdfirst quarter of 2020.2021. Earnings per diluted share increased 55%82% to $4.54$4.41 in the thirdfirst quarter of 20212022 compared to $2.92$2.42 in the same period of 2020.2021. Without the impact from ASU 2016-09 in both periods, earnings per diluted share increased 64% to $4.44was $4.23 in the thirdfirst quarter of 20212022 compared to $2.71$2.32 in the thirdfirst quarter of 2020.2021.
16


References to product line and product category data throughout this report generally reflect data related to the North American swimming pool market, as it is more readily available for analysis and represents the largest component of our operations.
COVID-19 Pandemic

We continue to monitor the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the effects of recent notable variants of the virus. The health, safety and security of our employees and the communities in which we operate remains our highest priority. We implemented enhanced hygiene and sanitation practices at our sales centers and at our corporate offices in 2020, and we continue to evaluate and maintain them where necessary.

Beginning in the second quarter of 2020 and through the first quarter of 2022, we experienced unprecedented demand as families spent more time at home and sought out opportunities to create or expand home-based outdoor living and entertainment spaces. While this trend has had a positive impact on our financial performance over the past couple of years, it is unclear what the long-term impact will be.

Our industry experienced constrained supply chain dynamics in 2021, which has continued in the first quarter of 2022. In response, we have been proactive in making significant investments in inventory to enable us to continue to meet strong customer demand and position ourselves to provide exceptional customer service into the 2022 swimming pool season. These trends, caused in large part from global disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, may persist in the near-term.

We expect the impact of the pandemic on our business and financial results in 2022 will continue to vary by location and depend on numerous evolving factors that we are unable to accurately predict. These factors include the duration and scope of the pandemic, global economic conditions during and after the pandemic, the possible re-institution of governmental restrictions on the activities of our customers, vendors or employees, the possibility of additional subsequent outbreaks, the sustainability of current home-centric trends and other changes in customer and supplier behavior in response to the pandemic.

Financial Position and Liquidity

As of September 30, 2021,March 31, 2022, total net receivables, including pledged receivables, increased 30%39% compared to September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, primarily driven by our sales growth and recent acquisitions. Our days sales outstanding (DSO), as calculated on a trailing four quarters basis, was 25.726.4 days at September 30, 2021March 31, 2022 and 27.626.6 days at September 30, 2020.March 31, 2021. Our allowance for doubtful accounts balance was $5.4$6.0 million at September 30, 2021March 31, 2022 and $5.3$4.7 million at September 30, 2020.March 31, 2021.

Net inventory levels increased 70%68% compared to levels at September 30, 2020.March 31, 2021. We increased our purchasing beginning in the second half of 2021 to alleviate the impact of longer lead times from our vendors and ensure product availability for our customers. Our inventory balance has increased as we have made significant investments in inventory throughout the year to support elevated demandalso reflects impacts from inflation and help manage potential supply chain disruptions that could negatively impact customer service.recent acquisitions. Our inventory reserve was $15.7$19.8 million at September 30, 2021March 31, 2022 and $11.4$13.7 million at September 30, 2020.March 31, 2021. Our inventory turns, as calculated on a trailing four quarters basis, were 3.83.1 times at September 30, 2021March 31, 2022 and 3.74.0 times at September 30, 2020.

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities increased 59% compared to September 30, 2020, primarily due to higher income tax payables. As allowed for companies impacted by Hurricane Ida, we deferred our 2021 third quarter estimated federal tax payment of $56.0 million, which will be paid in January 2022.March 31, 2021. Our inventory turns have averaged 3.4 times over the past five years.

Total debt outstanding at September 30, 2021March 31, 2022 was $362.8 million,$1.5 billion, up 7%$1.1 billion compared to total debt at September 30, 2020.March 31, 2021. We have usedutilized debt proceeds over the past 12 months primarily to fund business-driveninvestments in working capital growth, acquisitions, payments of cash dividends and share repurchases.our 2021 acquisitions.

Current Trends and Outlook

For a detailed discussion of trends through 2020,2021, see the Current Trends and Outlook section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis included in Part II, Item 7 of our 20202021 Annual Report on Form 10-K.  

Upon reporting our results through the third quarter of 2021, we increased our 2021We expect 2022 diluted EPS guidance rangeof $18.34 to $14.85 to $15.35,$19.09, including the impact of year-to-date tax benefits of $0.39.$0.18. Our previous 2021 earnings guidance range disclosed in our Second Quarter 2021 QuarterlyAnnual Report on Form 10-Q10-K was $13.75$17.19 to $14.25,$17.94, including an estimated $0.19 tax benefits of $0.29 for the first six months of 2021. We increased our range based on exceeding our third quarter expectations, along with expected continued gross margin improvement through the end of 2021.benefit. Our 2021 earnings guidance range assumes average weather conditions and no adverse impacts from a resurgence of COVID-19 and related government responses.conditions.

We project netexpect sales growth forat the higher end of the 17% to 19% range previously disclosed in our 2021 to exceed 30% basedAnnual Report on expectations of continued elevated demand trends, a solid backlog of customer projects and inflationary benefits.Form 10-K. We estimate that sales will be favorably impacted byproject 2022 inflationary product cost increases of 6%approximately 10% to 11% (compared to 7% (above our historical average of 1% to 2%), which we began to realize8% in the second quarter of 2021. Inflationary product costs had a greater impact in the third quarter of 2021, and we expect this to continue through the end of the year. Impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with heightened demand, could adversely impact our supply chain, making it difficult to source and receive products needed to keep our customers adequately supplied. To address known and anticipated supply chain constraints, beginning in the second quarter of 2021 and into the third quarter, we have made significant investments in inventory in product areas where we forecasted continued high demand. Our strong inventory position has allowed us to gain share and to continue to provide exceptional service in a high demand and tight supply chain environment.2021).
13



BasedOur gross margin trends depend on our supply chain management efforts implemented during the second quarteramounts and timing of 2021, coupled with the current inflationary environment, we believeprice increases, sales growth expectations and product mix. We expect relatively neutral gross margin trends for the full year of 2021 has the potential to increase more than 170 basis points2022 compared to the full year of 2020.2021. Compared to 2021 periods, we project a modest improvement in the second quarter of 2022 and declines in the latter half of the year.

We project our operating expense growth rate in 2022 will be less than our gross profit growth rate. We expect that our operating expenses toexpense growth will reflect inflationary increases and incremental costs to support our investment initiatives, including increased investments in our digital transformation initiatives and expansion of our sales growth expectations. Combined with purposeful expense management, we believe this will drive operating margin improvement of 350 basis points for the full year of 2021 compared to 2020.center network. We expect performance-based compensation for the full year of 2021 to increase approximately $15 millionincreased expenses from 2020 due totight labor and real estate markets in 2022, which are heightened focus areas in our projected 2021 net sales growth with most of this increase recognized through the third quarter of 2021 based on year-to-date results.expense management.

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We project that our annual effective tax rate (without the benefit from ASU 2016-09) for 20212022 will approximate 25.0%, which is consistent with 2020. Due to ASU 2016-09, we25.5%. We expect our effective tax rate will fluctuate from quarter to quarter due to ASU 2016-09, particularly in periods when employees elect to exercise their vested stock options or when restrictions on share-based awards lapse. We recorded a $15.9$7.3 million, or $0.39$0.18 per diluted share, tax benefit from ASU 2016-09 for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2021.March 31, 2022. We may recognize additional tax benefits related to stock option exercises in 20212022 from grants that expire in future years. We have not included any expected tax benefits in our guidance beyond what we have recognized as of September 30, 2021.March 31, 2022.

We have made significant investments in inventory throughout the year to support increased demand and help manage potential supply chain disruptions that could negatively impact customer service. While these investments will negatively impact our cash provided by operations in 2021, we believe that our investments in inventory will provide benefits to our customers and favorably impact our gross margin through the end of this year and into at least the first quarter of next year. We expect to continue to use cash to fund opportunistic share repurchases through the remainder of 2021. We also expect2022 and to use cash for the payment of cash dividends as and when declared by our Board of Directors (the(our Board).

The forward-looking statements in the foregoing section are based on current market conditions, speak only as of the filing date of this report, asare based on several assumptions, and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. See “Cautionary Statement for Forward-Looking Statements.”

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

As of September 30, 2021,March 31, 2022, we conducted operations through 409414 sales centers in North America, Europe and Australia. For the ninethree months ended September 30, 2021,March 31, 2022, approximately 94% of our net sales were from our operations in North America.

The following table presents information derived from the Consolidated Statements of Income expressed as a percentage of net sales:
Three Months EndedNine Months EndedThree Months Ended
September 30,September 30,March 31,
2021202020212020 20222021
Net salesNet sales100.0 %100.0 %100.0 %100.0 %Net sales100.0 %100.0 %
Cost of salesCost of sales68.7 71.1 69.6 71.2 Cost of sales68.3 71.6 
Gross profitGross profit31.3 28.9 30.4 28.8 Gross profit31.7 28.4 
Selling and administrative expensesSelling and administrative expenses14.6 15.8 13.9 16.0 Selling and administrative expenses15.0 16.2 
(Recovery) impairment of goodwill and other assets(0.1)—  0.2 
Operating incomeOperating income16.8 13.0 16.5 12.6 Operating income16.7 12.2 
Interest and other non-operating expenses, netInterest and other non-operating expenses, net0.2 0.2 0.2 0.3 Interest and other non-operating expenses, net0.4 0.2 
Income before income taxes and equity earnings16.6 %12.8 %16.4 %12.3 %
Income before income taxes and equity in earningsIncome before income taxes and equity in earnings16.3 %11.9 %

Note: Due to rounding, percentages presented in the table above may not add to Operating income or Income before income taxes and equity in earnings.

We have included the results of operations from acquisitions in 20212022 and 20202021 in our consolidated results since the acquisition dates.

1814


Three Months Ended September 30, 2021March 31, 2022 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021
The following table breaks out our consolidated results into the base business component and the excluded component (sales centers excluded from base business):
(Unaudited)Base BusinessExcludedTotal
(in thousands)Three Months EndedThree Months EndedThree Months Ended
 September 30,September 30,September 30,
 202120202021202020212020
Net sales$1,348,758 $1,136,946 $62,690 $2,283 $1,411,448 $1,139,229 
Gross profit423,238 328,140 18,661 558 441,899 328,698 
Gross margin31.4 %28.9 %29.8 %24.4 %31.3 %28.9 %
Operating expenses (1)
192,061 179,990 12,562 475 204,623 180,465 
Expenses as a % of net sales14.2 %15.8 %20.0 %20.8 %14.5 %15.8 %
Operating income (1)
231,177 148,150 6,099 83 237,276 148,233 
Operating margin17.1 %13.0 %9.7 %3.6 %16.8 %13.0 %
(1)Base business and total reflect a $1.4 million recovery of goodwill and other assets in 2021.
(Unaudited)Base BusinessExcludedTotal
(in thousands)Three Months EndedThree Months EndedThree Months Ended
 March 31,March 31,March 31,
 202220212022202120222021
Net sales$1,328,126 $1,057,782 $84,524 $2,963 $1,412,650 $1,060,745 
Gross profit413,278 300,439 33,911 692 447,189 301,131 
Gross margin31.1 %28.4 %40.1 %23.4 %31.7 %28.4 %
Operating expenses193,927 171,285 17,539 815 211,466 172,100 
Expenses as a % of net sales14.6 %16.2 %20.8 %27.5 %15.0 %16.2 %
Operating income (loss)219,351 129,154 16,372 (123)235,723 129,031 
Operating margin16.5 %12.2 %19.4 %(4.2)%16.7 %12.2 %

In our calculation of our base business results, we have excluded the following acquisitions for the periods identified:


Acquired

Acquisition
Date
Net
Sales Centers
Acquired

Periods
Excluded
Porpoise Pool & Patio, Inc.December 20211January - March 2022
Wingate Supply, Inc.December 20211January - March 2022
Vak Pak Builders Supply, Inc.June 20211JulyJanuary - September 2021March 2022
Pool Source, LLCApril 20211JulyJanuary - September 2021March 2022
TWC Distributors, Inc.December 202010JulyJanuary - SeptemberFebruary 2022 and January - February 2021
Jet Line Products, Inc.October 20209July - September 2021
Northeastern Swimming Pool Distributors, Inc.September 20202July - September 2021 and September 2020

When calculating our base business results, we exclude sales centers that are acquired, closed, or opened in new markets for a period of 15 months. We also exclude consolidated sales centers when we do not expect to maintain the majority of the existing business and existing sales centers that are consolidated with acquired sales centers.

We generally allocate corporate overhead expenses to excluded sales centers on the basis of their net sales as a percentage of total net sales.  After 15 months of operations, we include acquired, consolidated and new market sales centers in the base business calculation including the comparative prior year period.

The table below summarizes the changes in our sales center count during the first ninethree months of 2021:2022:

December 31, 20202021398410 
Acquired locations
New locations104 
Consolidated location(1)
September 30, 2021March 31, 2022409414 

1915


Net Sales
Three Months Ended  Three Months Ended 
September 30,March 31,
(in millions)(in millions)20212020Change(in millions)20222021Change
Net salesNet sales$1,411.4 $1,139.2 $272.2 24%Net sales$1,412.7 $1,060.7 $352.0 33%

Net sales increased 24%33% in the thirdfirst quarter of 20212022 compared to the thirdfirst quarter of 2020,2021, while base business net sales grew 19%26% over the same period. Our sales in the third quarter of 2021 continued to benefit from elevated demand for our outdoor living products along with favorable weather conditions.

The following factors benefited our sales (listed in order of estimated magnitude):

strong demand for discretionary products, as evidenced by improvements in sales growth rates for product offerings such as equipment and building materials (see discussion below);
market share gains, including those in building materials (see discussion below);
increased demand for residential swimming pool maintenance supplies due to increased usage, as evidenced by improvements in sales growth rates to retail customers (see discussion below);
market share gains, including those in building materials (see discussion below);
inflationary product cost increases of approximately 10 to 12%;
7% (compared to our historical average of 1% to 2%);sales growth from recent acquisitions; and
5% sales growth from recent acquisitions.both accelerated customer early buys and an extra selling day in the first quarter of 2022 compared to the first quarter of 2021.

Higher sales growth rates for certain product offerings, such as equipment and building materials, reflect increased spendingcontinued strong demand in traditionally discretionary areas, such as pool construction, pool remodeling and equipment upgrades. In the thirdfirst quarter of 2021,2022, sales for equipment, which includes swimming pool heaters, pumps, lights, filters and automation, increased 23%18% compared to the same period last year, and collectively represented approximately 28%29% of net sales for the period. Sales of building materials grew 24%29% compared to the thirdfirst quarter of 20202021 and represented approximately 12%14% of net sales in the thirdfirst quarter of 2022.

In the first quarter of 2022, sales for chemicals, representing 9% of total net sales, increased 58% compared to the first quarter of 2021. The increase in chemicals was driven by inflation, improved supply and strong demand for non-discretionary maintenance products.

Sales to customers who service large commercial installations and specialty retailers that sell swimming pool supplies are included in the appropriate existing product categories, and growth in these areas is reflected in the numbers in the paragraphparagraphs above. Sales to retail customers increased 16%27% in the thirdfirst quarter of 2022 compared to the first quarter of 2021 compared to the third quarter of 2020 and represented approximately 11%10% of our net sales for the thirdfirst quarter of 2021.2022. Sales to commercial customers increased 25%34% in the thirdfirst quarter of 2022 compared to the first quarter of 2021 compared to the third quarter of 2020, as business and leisure travel improved in 2021 as public facilities reopened following COVID-19 related closures in 2020. Sales to commercial customers represented approximately 3%4% of our net sales for the thirdfirst quarter of 2021.2022.

Gross Profit
Three Months Ended  Three Months Ended 
September 30,March 31,
(in millions)(in millions)20212020Change(in millions)20222021Change
Gross profitGross profit$441.9 $328.7 $113.2 34%Gross profit$447.2 $301.1 $146.1 49%
Gross marginGross margin31.3 %28.9 %  Gross margin31.7 %28.4 %  

Gross margin increased 240330 basis points to 31.3%31.7% in the thirdfirst quarter of 20212022 compared to 28.9%28.4% in the thirdfirst quarter of 2020. Gross2021. Base business gross margin wasincreased 270 basis points. Our prior year strategic initiative to build inventory benefited our gross margin in the first quarter of 2022. Product mix and continued positive impacts from our ongoing pricing efforts also favorably impacted by benefits from focused supply chain management initiatives during this inflationary environment and improvements in rates earned under our vendor programs due to increased inventory purchases.gross margin.

2016


Operating Expenses
Three Months Ended  Three Months Ended 
September 30,March 31,
(in millions)(in millions)20212020Change(in millions)20222021Change
Selling and administrative expensesSelling and administrative expenses$206.0 $180.5 $25.5 14%Selling and administrative expenses$211.5 $172.1 $39.4 23%
Recovery of goodwill and other assets(1.4)— (1.4)(100)%
Operating expenses as a % of net salesOperating expenses as a % of net sales14.5 %15.8 %  Operating expenses as a % of net sales15.0 %16.2 %  

Operating expenses including the recovery of goodwill and other assets, increased 13% in the third quarter of 2021 compared to the third quarter of 2020, while base business operating expenses grew 7%, primarily due to growth-driven labor, facility and freight costs along with increased investments in technology. In the third quarter of 2021, we recovered $1.4 million of a $2.5 million note impairment recorded23% in the first quarter of 2020.2022 compared to the first quarter of 2021. Our compensation expense has increased as we expand our workforce and reward our employees through performance-based compensation. Other incremental operating expense increases relate to recent acquisitions, growth-driven facility and freight costs and increased investments in our digital transformation initiatives. As a percentage of net sales, operating expenses decreased to 14.5%15.0% in the thirdfirst quarter of 20212022 compared to 15.8%16.2% in the same period of 2020, reflecting continued strong expense control.

Interest and Other Non-Operating Expenses, Net

Interest and other non-operating expenses, net for the third quarter of 2021 increased $0.5 million compared to the third quarter of 2020. Our weighted average effective interest rate increased to 2.8% for the third quarter of 2021 from 1.9% for the third quarter of 2020 on average outstanding debt of $354.3 million versus $331.5 million for the respective periods.

Income Taxes

Our effective income tax rate was 21.4% for the three months ended September 30, 2021 compared to 18.7% for the three months ended September 30, 2020. We recorded a $4.2 million tax benefit from ASU 2016-09 in the quarter ended September 30, 2021 compared to a tax benefit of $8.5 million realized in the same period last year. Without the benefits from ASU 2016-09, our effective tax rate was 23.2% for the third quarter of 2021 and 24.5% for the third quarter of 2020. Our third quarter effective income tax rate is typically lower compared to other quarters due to the timing of our accounting for uncertain tax positions, including the expiration of statutes of limitations.

Net Income and Earnings Per Share

Net income increased 55% to $184.7 million in the third quarter of 2021 compared to $119.1 million in the third quarter of 2020. Earnings per diluted share increased 55% to $4.54 in the third quarter of 2021 compared to $2.92 in the same period of 2020. Without the impact from ASU 2016-09 in both periods, earnings per diluted share increased 64% to $4.44 in the third quarter of 2021 compared to $2.71 in the third quarter of 2020.

21


Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020
The following table breaks out our consolidated results into the base business component and the excluded component (sales centers excluded from base business):
(Unaudited)Base BusinessExcludedTotal
(in thousands)Nine Months EndedNine Months EndedNine Months Ended
 September 30,September 30,September 30,
 202120202021202020212020
Net sales$4,052,044 $3,091,270 $207,983 $6,092 $4,260,027 $3,097,362 
Gross profit1,237,728 889,494 56,988 2,313 1,294,716 891,807 
Gross margin30.5 %28.8 %27.4 %38.0 %30.4 %28.8 %
Operating expenses (1)
549,913 500,196 39,910 1,934 589,823 502,130 
Expenses as a % of net sales13.6 %16.2 %19.2 %31.7 %13.8 %16.2 %
Operating income (1)
687,815 389,298 17,078 379 704,893 389,677 
Operating margin17.0 %12.6 %8.2 %6.2 %16.5 %12.6 %

(1)Base business and total reflect a $1.4 million recovery of goodwill and other assets in 2021 and $6.9 million of impairment from goodwill and other assets recorded in the first quarter of 2020.

In our calculation of base business results, we have excluded the following acquisitions for the periods identified:


Acquired

Acquisition
Date
Net
Sales Centers
Acquired

Periods
Excluded
Vak Pak Builders Supply, Inc.June 20211June - September 2021
Pool Source, LLCApril 20211April - September 2021
TWC Distributors, Inc.December 202010January - September 2021
Jet Line Products, Inc.October 20209January - September 2021
Northeastern Swimming Pool Distributors, Inc.September 20202January - September 2021 and September 2020
Master Tile Network LLCFebruary 20204January - May 2021 and February - May 2020

For a more detailed explanation of how we calculated base business results and a summary of the changes in our sales centers since December 31, 2020, please refer to the discussion under the heading Three Months Ended September 30, 2021 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2020.

22


Net Sales
 Nine Months Ended 
September 30,
(in millions)20212020Change
Net sales$4,260.0 $3,097.4 $1,162.6 38%

Net sales for the first nine months of 2021 increased 38% compared to the same period last year, while base business net sales increased 31%. During the first nine months of 2021, maintenance, refurbishment and construction activity remained strong as families continued to create and expand home-based outdoor living spaces. Through the third quarter of 2021, households continued to invest in outdoor living spaces, contributing to the robust demand for our products and yielding sales gains across nearly all categories.

The following factors benefited our sales (listed in order of estimated magnitude):

strong demand for discretionary products, as evidenced by improvements in sales growth rates for product offerings such as equipment and building materials (see discussion below);
increased demand for residential swimming pool maintenance supplies due to earlier pool openings and increased usage, as evidenced by improvements in sales growth rates to retail customers (see discussion below);
market share gains, including those in building materials (see discussion below);
7% sales growth from recent acquisitions; and
inflationary product cost increases of approximately 6% to 7% (compared to our historical average of 1% to 2%).

We believe that sales growth rates for certain product offerings, such as equipment, building materials and above-ground pools and spas, evidence increased spending in traditionally discretionary areas, such as pool construction, pool remodeling and equipment upgrades. In the first nine months of 2021, sales for equipment, which includes swimming pool heaters, pumps, lights, filters and automation, increased approximately 39% compared to the same period last year. Equipment collectively represented 28% of net sales in the first nine months of 2021. Sales of building materials grew 30% compared to the first nine months of 2020 and represented approximately 11% of net sales in the first nine months of 2021.

Sales to customers who service large commercial installations and specialty retailers that sell swimming pool supplies are included in the appropriate existing product categories, and growth in these areas is reflected in the numbers in the paragraph above. In the first nine months of 2021, sales to retail customers increased 21% and represented approximately 13% of our consolidated net sales. Sales to commercial customers increased 24% in the first nine months of 2021, as business and leisure travel improved in 2021 as public facilities reopened following COVID-19 related closures in 2020. Sales to commercial customers represented approximately 3% of our consolidated net sales in the first nine months of 2021.

Gross Profit
 Nine Months Ended 
September 30,
(in millions)20212020Change
Gross profit$1,294.7 $891.8 $402.9 45%
Gross margin30.4 %28.8 %  

Gross margin improved 160 basis points to 30.4% in the nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to 28.8% in the first nine months of 2020. This improvement primarily reflects focused supply chain management initiatives to address inflation, with most of the year-to-date benefits realized in the second and third quarters of 2021. Also, with our increased purchase volumes, improvements in rates earned under our vendor programs benefited our gross margin compared to the same period in 2020.
23


Operating Expenses
 Nine Months Ended 
September 30,
(in millions)20212020Change
Selling and administrative expenses$591.2 $495.2 $96.0 19%
(Recovery) impairment of goodwill and other assets(1.4)6.9 (8.3)(120)%
Operating expenses as a % of net sales13.8 %16.2 %  

Operating expenses, including the recovery of goodwill and other assets in 2021 and impairment in 2020, for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 increased 17% compared to the first nine months of 2020. In the first quarter of 2020, we recorded impairment charges of $6.9 million, which included $2.5 million from a note and non-cash goodwill and intangibles impairment charges of $4.4 million. In the third quarter of 2021, we recovered $1.4 million of the previously impaired note. Without the impact of the recovery in 2021 and the prior year impairment charges, operating expenses were up 19%, primarily due to growth-driven labor, performance-based compensation, facility and freight costs along with increased investments in technology.

Interest and Other Non-Operating Expenses, Net

Interest and other non-operating expenses, net for the first nine monthsquarter of 2021 decreased $2.42022 increased $2.6 million compared to the same period last year.first quarter of 2021, primarily due to higher average debt levels between periods. Our average outstanding debt was $1.3 billion in the first quarter of 2022 versus $397.3 million for the first quarter of 2021. Our weighted average effective interest rate increaseddecreased to 2.6% for the first nine months of 20211.5% from 2.2% for the same period of 2020 on average outstanding debt of $376.2 million versus $439.4 million for the respective periods.

Income Taxes

Our effective income tax rate was 22.2%22.3% for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2021March 31, 2022 compared to 19.2%22.0% for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2020.March 31, 2021. We recorded a $15.9$7.3 million or $0.39 per diluted share, tax benefit from ASU 2016-09 in the nine monthsquarter ended September 30, 2021March 31, 2022 compared to a $22.6tax benefit of $4.0 million or $0.55 per diluted share, tax benefitrealized in the same period of 2020.last year. Without the benefitsbenefit from ASU 2016-09 in both periods, our effective tax rate was 24.5%25.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2021first quarter of 2022 and 25.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2020.first quarter of 2021.

Net Income and Earnings Per Share

Net income increased 77%82% to $543.0$179.3 million forin the nine months ended September 30, 2021first quarter of 2022 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2020. Adjusted net income for$98.7 million in the first nine monthsquarter of 2021, without the note recovery in 2021 and the prior year impact of non-cash impairments, both net of tax, increased 73%.2021. Earnings per diluted share increased to $13.32 for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 versus $7.53 per diluted share for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. Adjusted diluted EPS (as calculated in the reconciliation below) increased 81% to $12.90 for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to $7.13 for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. See the reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP measures below.


24


Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted Income Statement Information
We have included adjusted net income and adjusted diluted EPS, which are non-GAAP financial measures, as supplemental disclosures, because we believe these measures are useful to investors and others in assessing our period-to-period operating performance.
Adjusted net income and adjusted diluted EPS are key measures used by management to demonstrate the impact of our non-cash and non-recurring charges and to provide investors and others with additional information about our potential future operating performance to supplement GAAP measures.
We believe these measures should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, net income and diluted EPS presented in accordance with GAAP, respectively, and in the context of our other disclosures within this Form 10-Q. Other companies may calculate these non-GAAP financial measures differently than we do, which may limit their usefulness as comparative measures.

The table below presents a reconciliation of net income to adjusted net income.
(Unaudited)Nine Months Ended
(in thousands)September 30,
20212020
Net income$543,015 $307,565 
(Recovery) impairment of goodwill and other assets(1,400)6,944 
Tax impact on (recovery) impairment of note (1)
351 (654)
Adjusted net income$541,966 $313,855 
(1)As described in our First Quarter 2020 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, our effective tax rate at March 31, 2020 was a 0.1% benefit. Excluding impairment from goodwill and intangibles and tax benefits from ASU 2016-09 recorded$4.41 in the first quarter of 2020, our effective tax rate for2022 compared to $2.42 in the same period of 2021. Without the impact from ASU 2016-09 in both periods, earnings per diluted share increased 82% to $4.23 in the first quarter of 2020 was 25.4%, which we used2022 compared to calculate$2.32 in the tax impact related to the $2.5 million note impairment.

The table below presents a reconciliationfirst quarter of diluted EPS to adjusted diluted EPS.
(Unaudited)Nine Months Ended
September 30,
20212020
Diluted EPS$13.32 $7.53 
After-tax non-cash (recovery) impairment charges(0.03)0.15 
Adjusted diluted EPS excluding after-tax (recovery) impairment charges13.29 7.68 
ASU 2016-09 tax benefit(0.39)(0.55)
Adjusted diluted EPS excluding after-tax (recovery) impairment charges and tax benefit$12.90 $7.13 
2021.

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Seasonality and Quarterly Fluctuations

Our business is highly seasonal. In general, sales and operating income are highest during the second and third quarters, which represent the peak months of both swimming pool use and installation and irrigation and landscape installations and maintenance. Sales are substantially lower during the first and fourth quarters, when we may incur net losses.quarters. In 2020,2021, we generated approximately 61%60% of our net sales and 76%69% of our operating income in the second and third quarters of the year.

We typically experience a build-up of product inventories and accounts payable during the winter months in anticipation of the peak selling season.  Excluding borrowings to finance acquisitions and share repurchases, our peak borrowing usually occurs during the second quarter, primarily because extended payment terms offered by our suppliers typically are payable in April, May and June, while our peak accounts receivable collections typically occur in June, July and August.

The following table presents certain unaudited quarterly data for the first second and third quartersquarter of 2021,2022, the four quarters of 20202021 and the fourth, quarterthird and second quarters of 2019.2020.  We have included income statement and balance sheet data for the most recent eight quarters to allow for a meaningful comparison of the seasonal fluctuations in these amounts.  In our opinion, this information reflects all normal and recurring adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of this data.  Due to the seasonal nature of our industry (and recent pandemic-driven increased demand for our products), theThe results of any one or more quarters are not necessarily a good indication of results for an entire fiscal year or of continuing future trends.trends for a variety of reasons, including the seasonal nature of our business, the recent pandemic-driven increased demand for our products and the impact of new and acquired sales centers.

(Unaudited)(Unaudited)QUARTER(Unaudited)QUARTER
(in thousands)(in thousands)202120202019(in thousands)202220212020
ThirdSecondFirstFourthThirdSecondFirstFourth FirstFourthThirdSecondFirstFourthThirdSecond
Statement of Income DataStatement of Income DataStatement of Income Data
Net salesNet sales$1,411,448 $1,787,833 $1,060,745 $839,261 $1,139,229 $1,280,846 $677,288 $582,234 Net sales$1,412,650 $1,035,557 $1,411,448 $1,787,833 $1,060,745 $839,261 $1,139,229 $1,280,846 
Gross profitGross profit441,899 551,685 301,131 239,095 328,698 373,481 189,629 162,050 Gross profit447,189 322,376 441,899 551,685 301,131 239,095 328,698 373,481 
Operating incomeOperating income237,276 338,586 129,031 74,351 148,233 205,857 35,588 25,798 Operating income235,723 127,891 237,276 338,586 129,031 74,351 148,233 205,857 
Net incomeNet income184,665 259,695 98,655 59,174 119,098 157,555 30,912 18,024 Net income179,261 107,609 184,665 259,695 98,655 59,174 119,098 157,555 
Balance Sheet DataBalance Sheet DataBalance Sheet Data
Total receivables, netTotal receivables, net$476,150 $585,566 $487,602 $289,200 $366,412 $453,405 $345,915 $226,539 Total receivables, net$679,927 $376,571 $476,150 $585,566 $487,602 $289,200 $366,412 $453,405 
Product inventories, netProduct inventories, net1,043,407 894,654 977,228 780,989 612,824 628,418 858,190 702,274 Product inventories, net1,641,155 1,339,100 1,043,407 894,654 977,228 780,989 612,824 628,418 
Accounts payableAccounts payable414,156 439,453 634,998 266,753 268,412 346,272 517,620 261,963 Accounts payable685,946 398,697 414,156 439,453 634,998 266,753 268,412 346,272 
Total debtTotal debt362,819 423,116 433,171 416,018 339,934 438,804 586,050 511,407 Total debt1,505,073 1,183,350 362,819 423,116 433,171 416,018 339,934 438,804 

We expect that our quarterly results of operations will continue to fluctuate depending on the timing and amount of revenue contributed by new and acquired sales centers.  Based on our peak summer selling season, we generally open new sales centers and close or consolidate sales centers, when warranted, either in the first quarter before the peak selling season begins or in the fourth quarter after the peak selling season ends.

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Weather is one of the principal external factors affecting our business.  The table below presents some of the possible effects resulting from various weather conditions.

Weather Possible Effects
Hot and dryIncreased purchases of chemicals and supplies
for existing swimming pools
 Increased purchases of above-ground pools and
irrigation and lawn care products
Unseasonably cool weather or extraordinary amountsFewer pool and irrigation and landscape
of raininstallations
Decreased purchases of chemicals and supplies
 Decreased purchases of impulse items such as
above-ground pools and accessories
Unseasonably early warming trends in spring/late coolingA longer pool and landscape season, thus positively
trends in fallimpacting our sales
(primarily in the northern half of the U.S. and Canada)  
Unseasonably late warming trends in spring/early coolingA shorter pool and landscape season, thus negatively
trends in fallimpacting our sales
(primarily in the northern half of the U.S. and Canada)  

Weather Impacts on 20212022 and 20202021 Results

Generally favorableOverall, weather conditions benefited sales in the third quarter of 2021. Temperatures ranged from above-average to substantially above-average throughout most of the contiguous United States with September being the fifth warmest on record. Precipitation was below-average in most of the western half of the United States and normal to above-average in the eastern half. Likewise, results in the third quarter of 2020 were favorably impacted by above-average temperatures and below-average precipitation.

Overall, varied weather conditions in the second quarter of 2021 favorably impacted our sales growth. While the southern states saw mild temperatures and above-average precipitation, the western states, particularly California, experienced severely high temperatures and drought. The average U.S. temperature in June was the hottest on record in 127 years. Comparatively, in the second quarter of 2020, we observed generally mild weather conditions with warmer weather throughout the western United States.

Sales in the first quarter of 20212022 were less favorable than weather conditions in the first quarter of 2021. Sales benefited from above-average temperatures along much of the west and the east coast, although Texas experienced cooler-than-normal temperatures. In addition, some seasonal markets had unfavorable weather compared to first quarter of 2021 when construction activity started earlier than normal. Similarly, results in Europe were hindered by unfavorable weather conditions. In the first quarter of 2021, sales benefited from favorable and generally mild weather conditions throughout the contiguous United States. In February 2021, Texas experienced the most costly winter storm event on record for the United States, which damaged many swimming pools and added to the existing,already strong replacement opportunity in that market. In contrast, sales in the first quarter of 2020 benefited from much above-average temperatures throughout the United States, particularly in the southern United States.activity.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
We prepare our Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts and related disclosures. Management identifies critical accounting estimates as:
those that require the use of assumptions about matters that are inherently and highly uncertain at the time the estimates are made; and
those for which changes in the estimates or assumptions, or the use of different estimates and assumptions, could have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations or financial condition.
Management has discussed the development, selection and disclosure of our critical accounting estimates with the Audit Committee of our Board.  For a description of our critical accounting estimates that require us to make the most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, please see our 20202021 Annual Report on Form 10-K.  We have not changed any of these policies from those previously disclosed in that report.
27



Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 1 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements,” included in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for discussion of recent accounting pronouncements.

19


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Liquidity is defined as the ability to generate adequate amounts of cash to meet short-term and long-term cash needs. We assess our liquidity in terms of our ability to generate cash to fund our operating activities, taking into consideration the seasonal nature of our business. Significant factors which could affect our liquidity include the following:

cash flows generated from operating activities;
the adequacy of available bank lines of credit;
the quality of our receivables;
acquisitions;
dividend payments;
capital expenditures;
changes in income tax laws and regulations;
the timing and extent of share repurchases; and
the ability to attract long-term capital with satisfactory terms.

Our primary capital needs are seasonal working capital obligations, debt repayment obligations and other general corporate initiatives, including acquisitions, opening new sales centers, dividend payments and share repurchases. Our primary working capital obligations are for the purchase of inventory, payroll, rent, other facility costs and selling and administrative expenses. Our working capital obligations fluctuate during the year, driven primarily by seasonality and the timing of inventory purchases. Our primary sources of working capital are cash from operations supplemented by bank borrowings, which have historically been sufficient to support our growth and finance acquisitions. We have funded our capital expenditures and share repurchases in substantially the same manner.

We prioritize our use of cash based on investing in our business, maintaining a prudent capital structure including a modest amount of debt, and returning cash to our shareholders through dividends and share repurchases. Our specific priorities for the use of cash are as follows:

capital expenditures primarily for maintenance and growth of our sales center network, technology-related investments and fleet vehicles;
inventory and other operating expenses;
strategic acquisitions executed opportunistically;
payment of cash dividends as and when declared by our Board of Directors (Board);Board;
repayment of debt to maintain an average total target leverage ratio (as defined below) between 1.5 and 2.0; and
repurchases of our common stock under our Board-authorized share repurchase program.

We focus our capital expenditure plans principally on the needs of our sales centers, and in recent years have increased our spending on information technology. We project capital expenditures in 2022 will approximate our historical average of 1.0% of net sales. Capital expenditures were 0.7% of net sales in 2021, 0.6% of net sales in 2020 and 1.0% of net sales in 2019 and 1.1% of net sales in 2018. Over the last five years, capital expenditures have averaged roughly 1.0% of net sales. Capital expenditures in 2020 were lower than our historical average due to cost-saving measures implemented atsales over the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although we have increased our capital spending in 2021, we expect our capital expenditures for the year to be lower than our historical average of 1.0% of net sales due to our significant sales growth.past five years.

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Sources and Uses of Cash

The following table summarizes our cash flows (in thousands):
Nine Months Ended Three Months Ended
September 30,March 31,
20212020 20222021
Operating activitiesOperating activities$359,065 $388,914 Operating activities$(208,109)$77,113 
Investing activitiesInvesting activities(42,110)(41,552)Investing activities(9,159)(9,522)
Financing activitiesFinancing activities(267,765)(300,161)Financing activities228,717 (75,194)

20


Net cash used in operations was $208.1 million for the first three months of 2022 compared to net cash provided by operations of $359.1$77.1 million for the first ninethree months of 2021 decreased $29.82021. The decrease in our operating cash flows was driven by incremental net working capital outflows, which reflect increased inventory purchases and other working capital changes due to our sales growth and recent acquisitions. In addition, our operating cash flows were impacted by federal tax payments of $79.5 million compared toin the first nine monthsquarter of 2020, primarily reflecting our supply chain investments2022, which were allowed to be deferred and included in inventory to enable us to continue to meet strong customer demand.accrued expenses and other liabilities at December 31, 2021.
Net cash used in investing activities for the first ninethree months of 2021 increased2022 decreased slightly compared to the first ninethree months of 2020. Capital expenditures increased $7.3 million year-over year following the delay in capital spending last year2021 due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, whilea decrease in cash used for the acquisition of businesses decreased $6.8of $0.7 million, offset by an increase in capital expenditures of $0.3 million.
Net cash provided by financing activities increased $303.9 million to $228.7 million for the first ninethree months of 20212022 compared to the first nine months of 2020.
Netnet cash used in financing activities was $267.8of $75.2 million for the first ninethree months of 2021 compared to $300.2 million for the first nine months of 2020, which2021. The increase in cash provided by financing activities reflects a $119.9$304.4 million increase in net debt proceeds and a $9.1 million decrease in net debt payments, additional share repurchases, of $61.8 million andpartially offset by an increase in dividends paid of $18.9 million during the first nine months of 2021.$8.8 million.

Future Sources and Uses of Cash

Revolving Credit Facility

On September 27,Our Credit Facility, as amended through December 30, 2021, we amended and restated our 2017 credit agreement (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”) to extend its maturity date from September 29, 2022 to September 25, 2026, and to increase ourprovides for $1.25 billion in borrowing capacity fromconsisting of a $750.0 million to $1.0 billion through the addition offive-year unsecured revolving credit facility and a delayed-draw$500.0 million term loan facility. The Credit Facility includes a $750.0 million revolving credit facility and sublimits for the issuance of $250.0 million. Under this term loan facility, we may drawswingline loans and standby letters of credit. The term loans at any time prior to March 25, 2022. Any such term loans would require quarterly amortization payments aggregating to 20% of the original principal amount of the loan during the third, fourth and fifth years of the loan, with all remaining principal due on the Credit Facility maturity date of September 25, 2026. All other terms of any such term loans would be substantially similar to those governing revolving credit loans under the Credit Agreement. Under the Credit Agreement, we continue to have access to a $750 million unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) on substantially the same terms and subject to the same sublimits for swingline loans and standby letters of credit as in the past, other than the amendments described below.

The Credit Agreement further amended and restated the Credit Facility in the following ways:
making available lower interest rates;
increasing the amount of incremental facility commitments that we can request from $75.0 million to $250.0 million; and
providing additional capacity under certain negative covenants related to indebtedness, liens, investments, acquisitions, share repurchases and dividends.

We intend to continue to use the Credit Facility for general corporate purposes, for future share repurchases and to fund future growth initiatives.

At September 30, 2021,March 31, 2022, there was $170.3$532.3 million of revolving borrowings outstanding, a $500.0 million term loan, a $4.8 million standby letter of credit outstanding and $574.9$212.9 million available for borrowing under the Credit Facility.  Currently, we pay interest on revolving borrowings under the Credit Facility at a variable rate based on the one month London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), plus an applicable margin. The weighted average effective interest rate for the Credit Facility as of September 30, 2021March 31, 2022 was approximately 2.0%1.7%, excluding commitment fees.

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Term Facility
OnOur Term Facility, as amended on October 12, 2021, we amended our 2019 credit agreement (as amended, the “Term Facility Agreement”) among us, as Borrower, and Bank of America, N.A., as the Lender. Among other items, the amendment provides additional capacity under certain negative covenants related to indebtedness, liens, investments, acquisitions, share repurchases and dividends to match the recent changes to the covenants in the Credit Agreement. The term facility available under this Agreement (the “Term Facility”) provides for $185.0 million in borrowing capacity and matures on December 30, 2026. Proceeds from the Term Facility were used to pay down the Credit Facility in December 2019, adding borrowing capacity for future share repurchases, acquisitions and growth-oriented working capital expansion. The Term Facility is repaid in quarterly amortization installments of 1.250% of the facility'sTerm Facility on the last business day of each quarter beginning in the first quarter of 2020. We classify the entire outstanding balance as Long-term debt balance.on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as we intend and have the ability to refinance the obligations on a long-term basis. The total of the quarterly amortization payments over the life of the facility will be equal to 33.75% of the Term Facility with the final principal payment,repayment, equal to 66.25% of the Term Facility, due on the maturity date. We may prepay amounts outstanding under the Term Facility without penalty other than interest breakage costs.

At September 30, 2021,March 31, 2022, there was $168.8$164.2 million outstanding under the Term Facility with a weighted average effective interest rate of 2.9%1.6%. We pay interest on borrowings under the Term Facility at a variable rate based on the one month LIBOR, plus an applicable margin.

Receivables Securitization Facility

Our two-year accounts receivable securitization facility (the Receivables Facility) offers us a lower costlower-cost form of financing, with a peak funding capacity offinancing. Under this facility, we can borrow up to $295.0$350.0 million between May 1April through June and May 31, which includes an additional seasonal funding capacity that is available between March 1 and July 31. Other funding capacities range from $120.0$175.0 million to $275.0$315.0 million throughoutduring the remaining months of the year. The Receivables Facility matures on November 1, 2021. We intend to amend the Receivables Facility on or ahead of its maturity date.2023. We classify the entire outstanding balance as Long-term debt on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as we intend and have the ability to refinance the obligations on a long-term basis.

21


The Receivables Facility provides for the sale of certain of our receivables to a wholly ownedwholly-owned subsidiary (the Securitization Subsidiary). The Securitization Subsidiary transfers variable undivided percentage interests in the receivables and related rights to certain third-party financial institutions in exchange for cash proceeds, limited to the applicable funding capacities. Upon payment of the receivables by customers, rather than remitting to the financial institutions the amounts collected, we retain such collections as proceeds for the sale of new receivables until payments become due.
The Receivables Facility contains terms and conditions (including representations, covenants and conditions precedent) customary for transactions of this type. Additionally, an amortization event will occur if we fail to maintain a maximum average total leverage ratio (average total funded debt/EBITDA) of 3.25 to 1.00 and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio (EBITDAR/cash interest expense plus rental expense) of 2.25 to 1.00.
At September 30, 2021,March 31, 2022, there was $15.0$290.0 million outstanding under the Receivables Facility at a weighted average effective interest rate of 0.8%1.2%, excluding commitment fees.

Financial Covenants
Financial covenants of the Credit Facility and the Term Facility (each as recently revised) and the Receivables Facility include maintenance of a maximum average total leverage ratio and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio, which are our most restrictive financial covenants.  As of September 30, 2021,March 31, 2022, the calculations of these two covenants are detailed below:
Maximum Average Total Leverage Ratio. On the last day of each fiscal quarter, our average total leverage ratio must be less than 3.25 to 1.00.  Average Total Leverage Ratio is the ratio of the trailing twelve months (TTM) Average Total Funded Indebtedness plus the TTM Average Accounts Securitization Proceeds divided by the TTM EBITDA (as those terms are defined in the Credit Facility).  As of September 30, 2021,March 31, 2022, our average total leverage ratio equaled 0.481.06 (compared to 0.530.77 as of June 30,December 31, 2021) and the TTM average total debtindebtedness amount used in this calculation was $397.6 million.$1.1 billion.

Minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. On the last day of each fiscal quarter, our fixed charge ratio must be greater than or equal to 2.25 to 1.00.  Fixed Charge Ratio is the ratio of the TTM EBITDAR divided by TTM Interest Expense paid or payable in cash plus TTM Rental Expense (as those terms are defined in the Credit Facility).  As of September 30, 2021,March 31, 2022, our fixed charge ratio equaled 11.3112.38 (compared to 10.4811.76 as of June 30,December 31, 2021) and TTM Rental Expense was $70.1$73.2 million.
30


The Credit Facility and Term Facility limit the declaration and payment of dividends on our common stock to a manner consistent with past practice, provided no default or event of default has occurred and is continuing, or would result from the payment of dividends.  We may declare and pay quarterly dividends so long as (i) the amount per share of such dividends is not greater than the most recently publicly announced amount of dividends per share and (ii) our Average Total Leverage Ratio is less than 3.25 to 1.00 both immediately before and after giving pro forma effect to such dividends. Under the Credit Facility and Term Facility, we may repurchase shares of our common stock provided no default or event of default has occurred and is continuing, or would result from the repurchase of shares, and our maximum average total leverage ratio (determined on a pro forma basis) is less than 3.25 to 1.00.  

Other covenants in each of our credit facilities include restrictions on our ability to grant liens, incur indebtedness, make investments, merge or consolidate, and sell or transfer assets.  Failure to comply with any of our financial covenants or any other terms of the Credit Facility and the Term Facilityour credit facilities could result in, among other things, higher interest rates on our borrowings or the acceleration of the maturities of our outstanding debt.

Interest Rate Swaps
We utilize interest rate swap contracts and forward-starting interest rate swap contracts to reduce our exposure to fluctuations in variable interest rates for future interest payments on our variable rate borrowings.   Interest expense related to the notional amounts under all swap contracts is based on the fixed rates plus the applicable margin on the respective borrowings.
As of September 30, 2021,March 31, 2022, we had three interest rate swap contracts in place and two forward-starting interest rate swap contracts, each of which became effective on November 20, 2020, and terminate on September 29, 2022. These swap contracts were previously forward-starting and converthas the effect of converting our exposure to variable interest rates on our variable rate borrowings to fixed interest ratesrates. For more information, see Note 4 of 2.0925% and 1.5500% on notional amounts“Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” included in Part I, Item 1 of $75.0 million each. The third interest rate swap contract currently in place became effective on February 26, 2021, and terminates on February 28, 2025. This swap contract was previously forward-starting and converts the variable interest rate on our variable rate borrowings to a fixed rate of 1.3800% on a notional amount of $150.0 million. Interest expense related to the notional amounts under these swap contracts is based on the fixed rate plus the applicable margin on our variable rate borrowings.
We have entered into forward-starting interest rate swap contracts to extend the hedged period for future interest payments on our variable rate borrowings. These swap contracts will convert the variable interest rate to a fixed interest rate on our variable rate borrowings.this Form 10-Q.

The following table provides details related to each of our forward-starting interest rate swap contracts:
22

DerivativeInception DateEffective DateTermination DateNotional
Amount
(in millions)
Fixed
Interest
Rate
Forward-starting interest rate swap 1March 9, 2020September 29, 2022February 26, 2027$150.00.7400%
Forward-starting interest rate swap 2March 9, 2020February 28, 2025February 26, 2027$150.00.8130%

Compliance and Future Availability
As of September 30, 2021,March 31, 2022, we were in compliance with all material covenants and financial ratio requirements under our Credit Facility, our Term Facility and our Receivables Facility.  We believe we will remain in compliance with all material covenants and financial ratio requirements throughout the next twelve months.  For additional information regarding our debt arrangements, see Note 5 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements,” included in Part II, Item 8 of our 20202021 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as updated by Note 5 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements,” included in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.
We believe we have adequate availability of capital to fund present operations and the current capacity to finance any working capital needs that may arise.  We continually evaluate potential acquisitions and hold discussions with acquisition candidates.  If suitable acquisition opportunities arise that would require financing, we believe that we would have the ability to finance any such transactions.
As of OctoberApril 25, 2021, $494.72022, $427.1 million of the current Board-authorized amount under our share repurchase program remained available.  We expect to repurchase shares on the open market from time to time depending on market conditions.  We plan to fund these repurchases with cash provided by operations and borrowings under the Credit and Receivables Facilities.above-described credit facilities.

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Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Interest Rate Risk
There have been no material changes during the ninethree months ended September 30, 2021March 31, 2022 from what we reported in our 20202021 Annual Report on Form 10-K. For additional information on our interest rate risk, refer to “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” included in Part II, Item 7A in our 20202021 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Currency Risk
There have been no material changes during the ninethree months ended September 30, 2021March 31, 2022 from what we reported in our 20202021 Annual Report on Form 10-K. For additional information on our currency risk, refer to “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” included in Part II, Item 7A in our 20202021 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures
The term “disclosure controls and procedures” is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Act).  The rules refer to the controls and other procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports that we file or submit under the Act is (1) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and (2) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.  As of September 30, 2021,March 31, 2022, management, including our CEO and CFO, performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures.  Based on that evaluation, management, including our CEO and CFO, concluded that as of September 30, 2021,March 31, 2022, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
We maintain a system of internal control over financial reporting that is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.  Based on the most recent evaluation, we have concluded that no change in our internal control over financial reporting occurred during the last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
The effectiveness of our system of disclosure controls and procedures or internal control over financial reporting is subject to certain limitations, including the exercise of judgment in designing, implementing and evaluating such systems, the assumptions used in identifying the likelihood of future events and the inability to eliminate misconduct completely. As a result, there can be no assurance that our control systems will detect all errors or fraud. By their nature, our system can provide only reasonable assurance regarding management's control objectives.
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PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings
From time to time, we are subject to various claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business, including product liability, personal injury, commercial, contract and employment matters. While the outcome of any litigation is inherently unpredictable, based on currently available facts and our current insurance coverages, we do not believe that the ultimate resolution of any of these matters will have a material adverse impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Item 1A.  Risk Factors
There have been no material changes from the risk factors disclosed in Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in our 20202021 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
The table below summarizes the repurchases of our common stock in the thirdfirst quarter of 2021:2022:
Period
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased (1)
Average Price
Paid per Share
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plan
Maximum Approximate
Dollar Value of Shares
That May Yet be Purchased
Under the Plan (2)
July 1-31, 202136,987 $466.20 36,597 $525,320,228 
August 1-31, 202149,178 $482.19 49,178 $501,607,126 
September 1-30, 202113,976 $492.51 13,976 $494,723,778 
Total100,141 $477.73 99,751  
Period
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased (1)
Average Price
Paid per Share
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plan
Maximum Approximate
Dollar Value of Shares
That May Yet be Purchased
Under the Plan (2)
January 1-31, 202221,343 $499.71 15,191 $487,443,561 
February 1-28, 202252,236 $435.37 45,891 $467,548,308 
March 1-31, 202264,589 $449.18 55,401 $442,785,865 
Total138,168 $451.76 116,483  
(1)These shares may include shares of our common stock surrendered to us by employees in order to satisfy minimum tax withholding obligations in connection with certain exercises of employee stock options or lapses upon vesting of restrictions on previously restricted share awards, and/or to cover the exercise price of such options granted under our share-based compensation plans. 39021,685 shares were surrendered for this purpose in the thirdfirst quarter of 2021.2022.
(2)As of OctoberApril 25, 2021, $494.72022, $427.1 million of the authorized amount remained available under our current share repurchase program.
Our Board may declare future dividends at their discretion, after considering various factors, including our earnings, capital requirements, financial position, contractual restrictions and other relevant business considerations. For a description of restrictions on dividends in our Credit Facility, Term Facility and Receivables Facility, see the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis in Part I, Item 2 of this Form 10-Q. We cannot assure shareholders or potential investors that dividends will be declared or paid any time in the future if our Board determines that there is a better use of our funds.

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Item 6.  Exhibits

Exhibits filed as part of this report are listed below.
      Incorporated by Reference
No. Description Filed/ Furnished with this
Form 10-Q
 Form File No. Date Filed
 Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company.   10-Q 000-26640 8/9/2006
 Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company.   8-K 000-26640 2/8/2019
 Form of certificate representing shares of common stock of the Company.   8-K 000-26640 5/19/2006
First Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated October 12, 2021 by and among Pool Corporation as Borrower, the Guarantors and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A as Lender.X
Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of September 27, 2021, by and among Pool Corporation, as U.S. Borrower, SCP Distributors Canada Inc., as Canadian Borrower, SCP International, Inc., as Euro Borrower, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, and certain other lenders party thereto.8-K000-266409/29/2021
 Certification by Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. X      
 Certification by Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and 15d‑14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. X      
 Certification by Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer furnished pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. X      
101.INS+Inline XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document. X      
101.SCH+Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document X      
101.CAL+Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document X      
101.DEF+Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document X      
101.LAB+Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document X      
101.PRE+Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document X      
104+Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted in Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)X
+ Attached as Exhibit 101 to this report are the following items formatted in iXBRL (Inline Extensible Business Reporting Language):
1.Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021March 31, 2022 and September 30, 2020;March 31, 2021;
2.Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021March 31, 2022 and September 30, 2020;March 31, 2021;
3.Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2021,March 31, 2022, December 31, 20202021 and September 30, 2020;March 31, 2021;
4.Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2021March 31, 2022 and September 30, 2020;March 31, 2021;
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5.Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021March 31, 2022 and September 30, 2020;March 31, 2021; and
6.Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized on OctoberApril 28, 2021.2022.
  POOL CORPORATION
   
   
   
   
 By:/s/ Melanie Housey Hart
  Melanie Housey Hart
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and duly authorized signatory on behalf of the registrant







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