HAYW Stock: Insider Activity, Filings & Research
Hayward Holdings, Inc. (HAYW) — Drillr’s hub for HAYW insider activity, SEC filings, earnings signals and AI research. Over the trailing 3 months, HAYW insiders filed 1 open-market buy and 3 sales (SEC Form 4).
HAYW insider trading activity (SEC Form 4)
| Date | Insider | Type | Shares | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 2, 2026 | HOLLERAN KEVINdirector, officer: President and CEO | Sell | 52,389 | $13.79 |
| Jun 2, 2026 | HOLLERAN KEVINdirector, officer: President and CEO | Option | 52,389 | $1.40 |
| May 26, 2026 | Ward Edward Ddirector | Grant | 10,608 | — |
| May 26, 2026 | Keating Ronald Cdirector | Grant | 10,608 | — |
| May 26, 2026 | Dayhoff Dianedirector | Grant | 10,608 | — |
| May 26, 2026 | WALKER LORI Adirector | Grant | 10,608 | — |
| May 26, 2026 | Felice Stephen Jdirector | Grant | 16,094 | — |
| May 26, 2026 | Soucy Arthur Ldirector | Grant | 10,608 | — |
| May 26, 2026 | Brown Kevin D.director | Grant | 10,608 | — |
| May 26, 2026 | Silber Lawrence Harrisdirector | Grant | 10,608 | — |
| May 6, 2026 | HOLLERAN KEVINdirector, officer: President and CEO | Option | 52,389 | $1.40 |
| May 6, 2026 | HOLLERAN KEVINdirector, officer: President and CEO | Sell | 52,389 | $14.57 |
| May 6, 2026 | Sejourne Ericofficer: SVP, Chief Global Operations | Tax | 2,215 | $15.05 |
| May 4, 2026 | Felice Stephen Jdirector | Grant | 2,082 | — |
| May 4, 2026 | Brown Kevin D.director | Grant | 1,416 | — |
Source: HAYW SEC Form 4 filings, latest Jun 2, 2026. For informational purposes only — not investment advice.
Hayward Holdings, Inc. company profile
Overview
Hayward Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:HAYW) is a leading designer, manufacturer, and marketer of swimming pool equipment and automation systems founded in 1925. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the company went public in March 2021 and has established itself as a dominant player in the pool equipment industry over its nearly 100-year history. Hayward operates globally with a primary focus on North America, while also serving markets in Europe and other international regions through a network of specialty distributors, retailers, and buying groups.
Business
Hayward operates in the swimming pool equipment industry, which encompasses the design, manufacturing, and distribution of products that maintain, operate, and enhance both residential and commercial swimming pools. The pool equipment industry serves the broader pool market, which includes approximately 10.7 million residential pools in the United States alone, along with thousands of commercial facilities such as hotels, community centers, and water parks. The company's core product portfolio includes several key categories of pool equipment. Pool pumps are the heart of pool circulation systems, moving water through filtration and heating systems - Hayward specializes in energy-efficient variable speed pumps that can reduce energy consumption by up to 80% compared to traditional single-speed pumps. Pool filters remove debris and contaminants from pool water, with Hayward offering cartridge, sand, and diatomaceous earth filtration systems. Pool heaters maintain comfortable water temperatures using gas, electric, or heat pump technology. Automatic pool cleaners are robotic or suction-based devices that autonomously clean pool surfaces and water. LED lighting systems provide energy-efficient illumination and aesthetic enhancement for pools. IoT-enabled controls and automation systems allow pool owners to remotely monitor and control their pool equipment through smartphone apps and cloud-based platforms. Alternate sanitizers include salt chlorine generators and UV systems that provide chemical-free water treatment alternatives. Water features encompass decorative and functional additions like fountains, jets, and spillways. Hayward's business is organized into two primary geographic segments. The North America segment generates approximately 85% of total revenue and includes sales in the United States and Canada. The Europe and Rest of World segment accounts for roughly 15% of revenue, covering European markets as well as Australia, Asia, and other international regions. Within these geographic segments, the company's revenue is further divided by market type, with over 80% coming from the aftermarket (replacement, repair, and upgrade of existing pool equipment) and less than 20% from new construction and remodel projects.
Revenue model
Hayward generates revenue primarily through product sales to a multi-tiered distribution network. The company sells its equipment to specialty pool distributors who then resell to pool service professionals, retailers, and contractors. This business-to-business model means Hayward's direct customers are distributors and large retailers rather than end consumers, though the company maintains strong relationships throughout the value chain to influence product specification and purchasing decisions. The company's revenue model benefits from several key characteristics of the pool equipment market. The aftermarket segment, which represents over 80% of Hayward's sales, provides relatively stable, recurring revenue streams because pool equipment requires regular maintenance, replacement, and upgrades regardless of economic conditions. Pool pumps typically need replacement every 8-12 years, filters require regular cleaning and periodic replacement, and other equipment has similar replacement cycles. This creates a predictable base of demand that is less sensitive to economic downturns compared to new pool construction. Hayward's profitability is influenced by several factors that can expand or compress margins. Pricing power represents a significant margin driver, as the company has demonstrated ability to implement annual price increases of 3-5% to offset inflation and maintain price-cost neutrality. The company's strong brand recognition and product differentiation in areas like energy efficiency and automation technology support this pricing discipline. Manufacturing efficiency improvements through lean manufacturing initiatives, facility consolidation, and automation investments help reduce production costs. Product mix significantly impacts margins, with higher-value products like IoT-enabled controls, variable speed pumps, and commercial equipment generating better margins than commodity items. Conversely, several factors can pressure margins. Raw material cost inflation, particularly for commodities like copper, steel, and plastics used in pool equipment manufacturing, can squeeze profitability if not offset by pricing actions. Supply chain disruptions can increase logistics costs and force expedited shipping. Tariff exposure represents a significant risk, as the company sources approximately 10% of its North American products from China, with potential tariff impacts estimated at $85 million annually. Competitive pressure in commodity product categories can limit pricing flexibility. Foreign exchange fluctuations affect international operations, particularly in Europe where the company has manufacturing facilities and local currency sales.
Competitive moat
Hayward possesses a moderate but meaningful competitive moat built on several defensive characteristics, though it operates in a competitive industry without insurmountable barriers to entry. The company's primary moat stems from its established brand recognition and distribution relationships built over nearly 100 years in the pool industry. Pool service professionals and contractors often prefer trusted brands with proven reliability, creating customer loyalty that is difficult for new entrants to overcome quickly. The company's scale advantages in manufacturing and procurement provide cost benefits that smaller competitors struggle to match. Hayward's ability to spread fixed costs across large production volumes and negotiate favorable supplier terms creates a structural cost advantage. The company's broad product portfolio allows it to serve as a one-stop supplier for distributors and contractors, increasing switching costs and customer stickiness compared to niche players with limited product ranges. Innovation and technology leadership in areas like IoT-enabled pool automation, energy-efficient pumps, and advanced filtration systems provides temporary competitive advantages, though these can be eroded as competitors develop similar capabilities. The company's investment in research and development and its track record of introducing new products helps maintain its position, but technology moats in pool equipment are not permanent. However, Hayward's moat faces several limitations and potential threats. The pool equipment industry has relatively low barriers to entry for basic products, with numerous regional and international competitors offering similar functionality at competitive prices. Private label manufacturing by large retailers can commoditize certain product categories. Technological disruption from smart home integration companies or new entrants with different business models could potentially reshape the industry. The company's dependence on distributor relationships creates vulnerability if channel partners decide to promote competing brands or develop their own private label products. Overall, Hayward's moat is best characterized as moderate - sufficient to maintain market leadership and pricing power in many categories, but not so strong as to prevent competitive pressure or guarantee long-term dominance without continued investment in innovation and customer relationships.
Risks & safety
Hayward demonstrates a moderate margin of safety with mixed financial health indicators that require careful monitoring. • Liquidity position: Strong with $181 million in cash and short-term investments, current ratio of 2.6x, and quick ratio of 1.8x providing adequate working capital cushion • Debt burden: Manageable but elevated with debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68x and net leverage of 2.8x, though within the company's target range of 2-3x • Cash flow concerns: Recent quarters show negative free cash flow (-$11 million in Q1 2025, -$70 million in Q4 2024) due to working capital builds and seasonal patterns, though full-year 2024 generated positive $188 million • Valuation metrics: Elevated with P/E ratio of 52x, EV/EBITDA of 28x, and P/B ratio of 2.1x suggesting limited valuation cushion • Operational risks: Significant tariff exposure ($85 million potential annual impact), dependence on seasonal demand patterns, and exposure to discretionary spending on pool construction • Cyclical sensitivity: New construction segment (20% of revenue) vulnerable to interest rate changes and economic downturns, though aftermarket provides some stability
Recent development
Over the past few years, Hayward has executed several strategic initiatives to strengthen its market position and operational efficiency. The company completed the ChlorKing acquisition to expand its presence in the commercial pool market, particularly in the Class A segment serving larger water bodies like hotels and community centers. This acquisition provides cross-selling opportunities and strengthens relationships with commercial customers. Product innovation has been a key focus, with the launch of OmniX, a new IoT automation platform for existing pools that allows remote monitoring and control through cloud-based applications. The company also introduced the Microchannel Temperature Control Unit for improved heating efficiency and developed the OmniPro app specifically for trade professionals to enhance their service capabilities. These technology initiatives support Hayward's strategy to upgrade existing pools with smart automation systems. Operationally, Hayward has implemented SKU rationalization programs to streamline its product portfolio and improve manufacturing efficiency. The company has consolidated manufacturing facilities, particularly in Europe, and invested in lean manufacturing initiatives to reduce costs and improve productivity. Manufacturing footprint expansion in U.S. facilities aims to reduce dependence on international sourcing, particularly from China, as a response to tariff risks. The company has also focused on organizational strengthening through senior leadership team additions and the opening of its first Hayward Hub training facility in Dallas-Fort Worth to enhance dealer support and education. These investments in customer relationships and technical support aim to strengthen the company's competitive position and brand loyalty among pool professionals.
HAYW company profile · for informational purposes only — not investment advice.
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