Stifel reiterated its Buy rating on Hayward Holdings Inc (NYSE: HAYW) on Monday, maintaining a $19.50 price target that implies roughly 34% upside from the pool equipment maker’s closing price of $14.58.
The firm’s endorsement follows Hayward’s Q2 2026 results, which exceeded analyst forecasts on both the top and bottom lines. Adjusted earnings per share reached $0.26, one cent above the consensus estimate, while revenue totaled $318.4 million, surpassing the $312.73 million projection. Sales rose 6% year-over-year, driven by price increases and steady unit volumes.
Stifel’s valuation framework assigns Hayward an enterprise value to fiscal 2027 estimated EBITDA multiple of 11.1 times, underpinning the $19.50 target. The stock’s after-hours session saw a 7.18% gain following the earnings release.
Hayward’s financial health remains robust, with a Piotroski score of 9—indicating strong profitability, leverage, and operational efficiency—and a liquidity position exceeding short-term obligations. The company’s full-year guidance was left unchanged despite the positive results.
Stifel’s analysis incorporates proprietary data, including its Pool Permit Report and quarterly surveys of pool professionals, equipment perceptions, and preliminary builder insights. The firm is scheduled to host Hayward’s CEO Kevin Holleran, CFO Eifion Jones, and VP of Investor Relations/Treasurer Kevin Maczka for meetings on Wednesday.
