Pool Corp
Annual Report 2021

Plain-text annual report

A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 2 1 109 Northpark Boulevard, Covington, LA 70433-5001 (985) 892.5521 | www.poolcorp.com @poolcorp ANNUAL REPORT 2021 OUR NETWORKS AND LOCATIONS SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION COMPANY OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS North America Europe SEC Filings / Investor Contact Officers 10 3 1 1 9 2 2 7 1 1 2 1 4 3 5 5 5 2 4 1 10 2 6 11 1 2 4 54 7 7 7 5 62 1 2 9 5 3 9 1 3 76 26 1 4 1 Network Total Sales Centers SCP Superior Horizon NPT Total 236 73 81 20 410 1 1 1 7 1 1 2 2 Australia 1 3 1 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS Message to Our Shareholders ................................. 1 Financial Highlights ................................................. 2 POOLCORP Teams Up with the YMCA ..................... 3 Corporate Responsibility / In Memoriam ............................................................ 4 Pool Corporation 2021 Form 10-K .......................... 5 Shareholder Information, Company Officers & Directors ..... Inside Back Cover VISION STATEMENT To be the best worldwide distributor of outdoor lifestyle products that include all products relating to swimming pools, irrigation & other products that enhance the quality of outdoor home life. MISSION STATEMENT To provide exceptional value to our customers and suppliers, creating exceptional return for our shareholders while providing exceptional opportunities for our employees. Pool Corporation reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission are available without charge to shareholders upon written request. These requests and other investor inquiries should be directed to Investor Relations at the company’s corporate address below. Shareholders’ Meeting The Annual Shareholders’ Meeting of Pool Corporation will be held on Tuesday, May 3, 2022, at 9:00 a.m., Central Time. This year’s Annual Meeting will be a virtual meeting via live webcast on the Internet. Shareholders of record as of March 15, 2022, will be entitled to vote at this meeting. Stock Listing Pool Corporation’s common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol POOL. Company Address Pool Corporation 109 Northpark Boulevard Covington, LA 70433-5001 Phone: 985.892.5521 www.poolcorp.com Registrar and Transfer Agent Computershare Trust Company, N.A. P.O. Box 505000 Louisville, KY 40233 Phone: 877.498.8861 Inquiries regarding stock transfers, lost certificates or address changes should be directed to Computershare at the above address. For more information: www.computershare.com Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Ernst & Young LLP New Orleans, LA Outside Securities Counsel Jones Walker LLP New Orleans, LA Peter D. Arvan (1) President and Chief Executive Officer Melanie M. Hart (1) Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Jeffrey M. Clay (1) President of Horizon Distributors, Inc. Todd R. Marshall Vice President and Chief Information Officer Jennifer M. Neil (1) Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer Robert R. Rankin Vice President and General Manager Kenneth G. St. Romain (1) Group Vice President Luther A. Willems Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Donna K. Williams Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Board of Directors John E. Stokely (3), (6) Chairman of the Board Retired, Former President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Richfood Holdings, Inc. Manuel J. Perez de la Mesa Vice Chairman of the Board Retired, Former President and Chief Executive Officer of Pool Corporation Peter D. Arvan President and Chief Executive Officer Martha “Marty” S. Gervasi (5), (9) Retired, Former Chief Human Resources Officer of the Hartford Financial Services Group Timothy M. Graven (2), (7) Retired, Former President and Chief Operating Officer of Steel Technologies, Inc. Debra S. Oler (5), (9) Retired, Former Senior Vice President/President North American Sales and Service of W.W. Grainger, Inc. Harlan F. Seymour (4), (7), (8) Retired, Former Chairman of ACI Worldwide, Inc. Robert C. Sledd (3), (5) Retired, Chairman of Owens & Minor, Inc. David G. Whalen (3), (9) Retired, Former President and Chief Executive Officer of A.T. Cross Company (1) Executive Officer (2) Chairman, Audit Committee (3) Member, Audit Committee (6) Chairman, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (7) Member, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (4) Chairman, Compensation Committee (8) Chairman, Strategic Planning Committee (5) Member, Compensation Committee (9) Member, Strategic Planning Committee This annual report contains certain forward-looking statements, as defined by the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results, are based on current expectations only and are subject to uncertainties. Actual events and results may differ materially from those anticipated by us in those statements due to several factors, including those disclosed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. MESSAGE TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS Dear Fellow Shareholders, This was another incredible year for Pool Corporation as we continued to build upon our legacy of growth and superior results that extends over our 26 years as a public company. We reported our ninth consecutive year of record results, achieving outstanding growth in sales and earnings, which were driven by strong customer demand, focused execution and continued innovation – all while facing one of the most challenging supply chain environments we’ve seen to date. Our annual net sales rose to a historic $5.3 billion, which fueled operating income growth of 79% while diluted earnings per share increased 78% to $15.97. These exceptional results are even more remarkable when considering our record growth and performance in 2020, demonstrating the quality and commitment of our team in meeting our customers’ needs under particularly demanding circumstances. Ultimately, our team’s efforts and this strong operating performance generated a return on invested capital (ROIC) of 43.9% for the year. To continue to provide exceptional returns to our shareholders, we announced a 38% increase in our quarterly dividend. Further, Pool Corporation shareholders realized a 53% total shareholder return (TSR) in 2021 as markets recognized the strength of our results and the positive outlook for our industry. Our consistently strong performance over time has generated a compound average annual return to shareholders of 40.8% over the past five years compared to a 16.3% annual return realized by the S&P 500 Index over the same period. Looking ahead to 2022, we believe we are poised to continue this trend of growth and prosperity. As we entered the year, we were met with increasing shortages in key product categories. Our suppliers strived to keep up with the oversized demand for pool and outdoor living products, and collectively we learned new ways to operate that will allow us to expand our industry as we move forward. Committed to minimizing the impact to our customers, management identified new supply sources and developed communication programs to inform our customers of alternative products. As customers clamored to find the products they needed, the power and scope of our distribution network and our expanded digital offerings continued to put our customers at an advantage and reaffirmed our position as the market leader. Astute forward planning coupled with our substantial purchasing capacity and vast sales center network enabled us to provide products to our customers when and where they were needed. As a result, we continued to gain market share and form relationships with many new loyal customers throughout the country. Historically, price inflation in our industry has been less than 2% per year, when averaged across all our product lines. Price changes normally occur at the end of the year and are passed through to customers prior to the next pool season. Recently, higher inflation has emerged as a new challenge, as product demand accelerated in the second half of 2020 and throughout 2021. Our suppliers, experiencing increasing pressures from rising costs for materials, labor, and transportation, imposed frequent and accelerating price increases that resulted in inflation of 7% to 8% for the full year of 2021. We leveraged our capital strength to improve our inventory position and expand product availability choices to our dealers. Despite higher consumer prices, demand remained robust, and contractor backlogs are reported to be healthy and growing. As we enter 2022, inflation expectations remain elevated as we expect these market conditions to continue through much of the year. Continuing expansion of our sales center network is key to our growth strategy. We added twelve locations, eight new sales centers in leading growth markets and four through acquisitions, boosting our total worldwide sales center network to 410 locations at the end of 2021. We completed four acquisitions in 2021, including Porpoise Pool & Patio, Inc. in December. This acquisition brings us several unique growth opportunities, including expansion into the estimated $3 billion DIY customer market through the Pinch A Penny franchising business, as well as the Suncoast Chemical packaging operations, both of which are backed by the well-established Sun Wholesale distribution business. As we move forward, we are excited about the opportunities to leverage Pinch A Penny’s award-winning franchising model supported by our extensive resources and nationwide distribution network, as well as the increased opportunity and chemical supply sourcing advantages that Suncoast provides in one of our largest product categories. Our growth and transformation have not only allowed us to yield extraordinary returns for our shareholders, but also focus on giving back to the communities in which we work and live. In 2021, we launched A Splash of Joy™ to provide swimming lessons to children who otherwise would not have the opportunity to learn basic water safety skills. As part of this new program, we donated over $1.0 million to YMCAs across the country, because we believe that every child, regardless of his or her economic situation, deserves to learn how to swim. We live and work in communities surrounded by water, and research shows that swimming lessons can reduce childhood drowning by 88%. We are proud of this program, what it stands for and its potential impact to our communities, and we are excited to see its growth in the future. Thinking about the year ahead, our team is energized by the opportunities in front of us. We continue to invest in technology to improve our customer experience, and we see tremendous potential presented by robust demand, healthy contractor order backlogs, rising home values and favorable demographic trends that promise future growth. At the same time, our industry is faced with supply chain and logistics delays, construction capacity constraints, rising inflation and cost pressures, which may present obstacles to achieving our growth and performance objectives. As we demonstrated in 2021, we are well-positioned to continue our track record of exceptional performance, because we have the best talent in the industry, the broadest product offering for our customers, substantial capital capacity and a customer-focused execution discipline ingrained in our company’s culture over many years. We are confident that 2022 is positioned to be another strong year for the pool and outdoor living industry and Pool Corporation, and we are primed to continue our reputation for growth. We sincerely appreciate the unwavering support from our shareholders over the years. We have enjoyed great success together, and we remain intensely focused on continuing to create exceptional value for you, our customers and suppliers, and our employees. Peter D. Arvan President and Chief Executive Officer John E. Stokely Chairman of the Board of Directors and Lead Independent Director 1 398868_031822_AnnualReport2021_InsidePages_8.5x11_AV_R3.indd 1 398868_031822_AnnualReport2021_InsidePages_8.5x11_AV_R3.indd 1 3/18/22 5:12 PM 3/18/22 5:12 PM FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS Net Sales (in millions) 11% CAGR 2011-2021 5,295.6 3,936.6 2,998.1 2,788.2 3,199.5 2,246.6 2,363.1 2,570.8 $5,500 $5,000 $4,500 $4,000 $3,500 $3,000 $2,500 $2,000 1,954.0 2,079.7 $1,500 $1,000 $500 Gross Profit (in millions) $1,800 $1,600 $1,400 $1,200 $1,000 $800 $600 $400 $200 924.9 870.2 805.3 741.1 567.4 591.3 643.3 675.6 12% CAGR 2011-2021 1,617.1 1,130.9 25% CAGR 2011-2021 650.6 648.8 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 Operating Income (in millions) 21% CAGR 2011-2021 Net Income (in millions) $900 $800 $700 $600 $500 $400 $300 $200 $100 832.8 830.3 471.0 464.0 341.2 313.9 284.4 255.9 165.5 188.9 216.2 151.8 144.9 $700 $600 $500 $400 $300 $200 $100 373.0 366.7 261.6 234.5 191.6 97.3 110.7 149.0 128.3 88.9 82.0 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 Adjustment to Operating Income Adjustment to Net Income Diluted Earnings Per Share 27% CAGR 2011-2021 Return On Equity (using Adjusted Net Income) $17 $16 $15 $14 $13 $12 $11 $10 $9 $8 $7 $6 $5 $4 $3 $2 $1 4.51 3.47 2.90 2.05 2.44 1.85 1.71 15.97 15.92 9.12 8.97 6.40 5.62 120% 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 64.6% 51.3% 41.7% 31.2% 33.9% 111.1% 89.5% 82.5% 75.6% 70.7% 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 Adjustment to Diluted EPS Cumulative Adjusted Net Income & Cash Flow From Operations (in millions) Sources of Cash Since company inception (in millions) Uses of Cash Since company inception (in millions) $3,100 $2,900 $2,700 $2,500 $2,300 $2,100 $1,900 $1,700 $1,500 $1,300 $1,100 $900 $700 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 CFFO Adjusted Net Income Proceeds from Debt $1,105.1 (26%) Stock Issuance $356.8 (8%) Cash Flow from Operations $2,829.6 (66%) Capital Expenditures $392.6 (9%) Dividends $790.5 (19%) Acquisitions, net and Other Investments $1,413.6 (33%) Treasury Stock $1,664.2 (39%) 2 The adjustment to Operating Income, Net Income and Diluted EPS in 2012 reflects a non-cash goodwill impairment charge. In 2020, the adjustment to Operating Income reflects a non-cash impairment charge of $6.9. The adjustment to Net Income and Diluted EPS in 2020 reflects a non-cash impairment charge (net of tax) of $6.3 and $0.15 per diluted share. In 2021, the adjustment to Operating Income reflects a note recovery of $2.5. The adjustment to Net Income and Diluted EPS in 2021 reflects the note recovery (net of tax) of $1.8 and $0.05 per diluted share. The CAGRs in these tables are based on the unadjusted amounts. 398868_031822_AnnualReport2021_InsidePages_8.5x11_AV_R3.indd 2 398868_031822_AnnualReport2021_InsidePages_8.5x11_AV_R3.indd 2 3/18/22 5:12 PM 3/18/22 5:12 PM POOLCORP TEAMS UP WITH THE YMCA FOR WATER SAFETY To celebrate National Water Safety Month in May 2021, POOLCORP launched a partnership with the YMCA of Greater New Orleans to cover the cost of swimming lessons for children in the area who might not otherwise have the opportunity to learn essential water safety skills. In June, representatives from POOLCORP and the YMCA celebrated an official kick-off of the program. “At POOLCORP, our number one operating principle is safety,” said Jennifer Neil, POOLCORP Vice President and Chief Legal Officer. “Water safety is paramount, and we’re so proud of our employees who got behind this initiative.” The YMCA’s Executive Director of Aquatics for the region, commented, “POOLCORP’s donation means that no child gets left behind. That’s what the YMCA is built on. In our mission statement, we say, ‘for all,’ and we really mean that.” In addition to the monetary donation, POOLCORP employees pitched in by donating swimsuits, towels, goggles, and other equipment to remove any barriers that could keep children from being able to take part in the lessons. “We take for granted that every kid has got a swimsuit or every kid’s got a towel, and they don’t,” said the President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater New Orleans. “So thank you to the team members for arranging that too. It’s not just the financial backing; it’s the personal involvement that’s meant a lot to us.” Thanks to the POOLCORP donation, the YMCA was able to offer 1,500 “Safety Around Water” lessons in 2021 to children of all ages at six area YMCA locations. Some family lessons were also conducted. Children along with their parents and grandparents were all taught swimming basics and how to be safe around water. When interviewed by local media during the kick-off event, POOLCORP Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Donna Williams explained that swimming is a crucial life skill. “It’s considered the hundred-year gift. People that learn to swim also have children that learn to swim, and it’s a sport that can be enjoyed by all ages - from toddlers to senior citizens. Our company’s slogan is ‘Where Outdoor Living Comes to Life®,’ and we believe there is no better way to demonstrate that than at the pool watching children learn to swim.” Thanks to the success of the program, POOLCORP has expanded the YMCA partnership with a sizeable donation to multiple YMCAs around the country. The program, called “A Splash of Joy™,” will provide “Safety Around Water” lessons for more than 9,000 children and will also train over 450 new lifeguards in 2022. 398868_031822_AnnualReport2021_InsidePages_8.5x11_AV_R3.indd 3 398868_031822_AnnualReport2021_InsidePages_8.5x11_AV_R3.indd 3 3/18/22 5:12 PM 3/18/22 5:12 PM 3 As a company that works to enrich outdoor home life for families while ensuring the best future for our employees, our customers, and the communities in which we live and work, POOLCORP is firmly committed to safe, sustainable work practices. Our company is dedicated to appropriately managing environmental, social, and governance matters and believes it is essential to our role as a global leader in our industry. We have developed this framework to organize and harmonize all of our efforts across the company. CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY EE SS GG GOVERNANCE: SOCIAL: ENVIRONMENTAL: IMPROVE ENERGY EFFICIENCY EMPLOYEE CARE AND SAFETY ETHICS AND COMPLIANCE REDUCE WASTE DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION ALIGNED COMPENSATION PROTECT NATURAL RESOURCES GIVE BACK TO COMMUNITY DATA PRIVACY AND SECURITY IN MEMORIAM Mr. Frank St. Romain POOLCORP Founder 1936 - 2022 The vision of Frank St. Romain many decades ago launched a path for our industry that shaped what it has become today, and his entrepreneurial spirit created countless opportunities for many people. Best known for his leadership skills and personal integrity, Frank’s energetic outlook and service to his community served as an example to us all. He will be greatly missed. 4 398868_031822_AnnualReport2021_InsidePages_8.5x11_AV_R3.indd 4 398868_031822_AnnualReport2021_InsidePages_8.5x11_AV_R3.indd 4 3/18/22 5:12 PM 3/18/22 5:12 PM UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-K (Mark One) ☒ ☐ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 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 CORPORATION (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) 109 Northpark Boulevard, Covington, Louisiana (Address of principal executive offices) 36-3943363 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 70433-5001 (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 class Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share Trading Symbol(s) POOL Name of each exchange on which registered Nasdaq Global Select Market Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act. 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 ¨ Yes ¨ No x Yes x No ¨ Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation 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 ¨ 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,” the Exchange Act. “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of Large accelerated filer Non-accelerated filer x o Accelerated filer Smaller 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. ¨ Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☒ Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐ No x The aggregate market value of voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant based on the closing sales price of the registrant’s common stock as of June 30, 2021 was $17,838,608,341. As of February 18, 2022, there were 40,168,103 shares of common stock outstanding. Documents Incorporated by Reference Portions of the registrant’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K. POOL CORPORATION TABLE OF CONTENTS PART I. Item 1. Item 1A. Item 1B. Item 2. Item 3. Item 4. PART II. Business Risk Factors Unresolved Staff Comments Properties Legal Proceedings Mine Safety Disclosures Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities Item 6. Item 7. [Reserved] Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk Financial Statements and Supplementary Data Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure Controls and Procedures Other Information Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance Executive Compensation Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence Principal Accountant Fees and Services Item 7A. Item 8. Item 9. Item 9A. Item 9B. Item 9C. PART III. Item 10. Item 11. Item 12. Item 13. Item 14. PART IV. Item 15. Item 16. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules Form 10-K Summary Index to Exhibits and Signatures Page 1 13 20 21 23 23 24 25 26 46 48 84 84 87 87 87 87 87 87 87 88 88 Item 1. Business General PART I. Pool Corporation (the Company, which may be referred to as we, us or our), a member of the S&P 500 Index, is the world’s largest wholesale distributor of swimming pool supplies, equipment and related leisure products and is one of the leading distributors of irrigation and landscape products in the United States. Our industry is highly fragmented, and as such, we add considerable value to the industry by purchasing products from a large number of manufacturers and then distributing the products to our customer base on conditions that are more favorable than our customers could obtain on their own. As of December 31, 2021, we operated 410 sales centers in North America, Europe and Australia through our five distribution networks: • • • • • SCP Distributors (SCP); Superior Pool Products (Superior); Horizon Distributors (Horizon); National Pool Tile (NPT); and Sun Wholesale Supply, Inc. (Sun Wholesale). Our Industry We believe that the swimming pool industry has room for continued growth from the increased penetration of new pools. Significant growth opportunities also reside with pool remodel and pool equipment replacement activities due to the aging of the installed base of swimming pools, technological advancements and the development of environmentally sustainable, energy-efficient and more aesthetically attractive products. Additionally, the desire for consumers to enhance their outdoor living spaces with hardscapes, lighting and outdoor kitchens also promotes growth in this area. Favorable demographic and socioeconomic trends have positively impacted our industry, and we believe these trends will continue to do so in the long term. These favorable trends include the following: • • • • • • long-term growth in housing units in warmer markets due to the population migration toward the southern United States, where use of the outdoor home environment is more prevalent and extends longer throughout the year; increased homeowner spending on outdoor living spaces for relaxation and entertainment; consumers bundling the purchase of a swimming pool and other products, with new irrigation systems, landscaping and improvements to outdoor living spaces often being key components to both pool installations and remodels; consumers using more automation and control products, higher quality materials and other pool features that add to our sales opportunities over time; consumers increasing focus on environmentally sustainable, energy-efficient products; and increased consumer spending driven by stay-at-home and remote work trends as homeowners seek to create attractive areas in their backyards as an extension of their home space. Almost 60% of consumer spending in the pool industry is for maintenance and minor repair of existing swimming pools. Maintaining a proper sanitization balance and the related upkeep and repair of swimming pool equipment, such as pumps, heaters, filters and safety equipment, creates a non-discretionary demand for pool chemicals, equipment and other related parts and supplies. We also believe cosmetic considerations such as a pool’s appearance and the overall look of backyard environments create an ongoing demand for other maintenance-related goods and certain discretionary products. We believe that the recurring nature of the maintenance and repair market has historically helped maintain a relatively consistent rate of industry growth. This characteristic has helped cushion the negative impact on revenues in periods when unfavorable economic conditions and softness in the housing market adversely impacted consumer discretionary spending including pool construction and major replacement and refurbishment activities. 1 The following table reflects growth in the domestic installed base of in-ground swimming pools over the past 11 years (based on Company estimates and information from 2020 P.K. Data, Inc. reports): The replacement and refurbishment market currently accounts for 20% to 25% of consumer spending in the pool industry. The activity in this market, which includes major swimming pool remodeling, is driven by the aging of the installed base of pools. The timing of these types of expenditures is more sensitive to economic factors including home values, single- family home sales and consumer confidence that impact consumer spending compared to the maintenance and minor repair market. New swimming pool construction comprises 15% to 20% of consumer spending in the pool industry. The demand for new pools is driven by the perceived benefits of pool ownership including relaxation, entertainment, family activity, exercise and convenience. The industry competes for new pool sales against other discretionary consumer purchases such as kitchen and bathroom remodeling, boats, motorcycles, recreational vehicles and vacations. The industry is also affected by other factors including, but not limited to, consumer preferences or attitudes toward pool and related outdoor living products for aesthetic, environmental, safety or other reasons. The irrigation and landscape industry shares many characteristics with the pool industry, and we believe that it will realize similar long-term growth rates. Irrigation system installations often occur in tandem with new single-family home construction making it more susceptible to economic variables that drive new home sales. However, the landscape industry offers similar maintenance-related growth opportunities as the swimming pool industry. Product offerings such as chemicals and fertilizers, power equipment and related repair and maintenance services offer recurring revenue streams in an industry otherwise closely tied to the housing market. The irrigation and landscape distribution business serves both residential and commercial markets, with the majority of sales related to the residential market. Within the United States market, we believe that irrigation accounts for approximately 35% of total spending in the industry, with the remaining 65% of spending related to landscape maintenance products, power equipment, hardscapes and specialty outdoor products and accessories. 2 Our NPT network primarily serves the swimming pool market but does provide some overlap with the irrigation and landscape industries as we offer our market-leading brand of pool tile, composite pool finish products and hardscapes. As more consumers create and enhance outdoor living areas and continue to invest in their outdoor environment, we believe we can focus our resources to address such demand, while leveraging our existing pool and irrigation and landscape customer base. We feel the development of our NPT network is a natural extension of our distribution model. In addition to our 20 standalone NPT sales centers, we currently have over 100 SCP and Superior sales centers that feature consumer showrooms where landscape and swimming pool contractors, as well as homeowners, can view and select pool components including pool tile, decking materials and interior pool finishes in various styles and grades, and serve as stocking locations for our NPT branded products. We also offer virtual tools for homeowners to select and design their pool and outdoor environments, working with their chosen contractors to install these products. Our NPT Backyard app allows our customers to virtually design, customize and view a pool in their own backyard within seconds. We believe our showrooms, local stocking of products and virtual support provide us with a competitive advantage in these categories. Given the more discretionary nature of these products, this business is more sensitive to external market factors compared to our business overall. Economic Environment Certain trends in the housing market, the availability of consumer credit and general economic conditions (as commonly measured by Gross Domestic Product or GDP) affect our industry, particularly new pool and irrigation system starts as well as the timing and extent of pool refurbishments, equipment replacement, landscaping projects and outdoor living space renovations. Consumers typically spend more on new pools, refurbishment and replacement when general economic conditions are strong. We believe that over the long term, single-family housing turnover and home value appreciation may correlate with demand for new pool construction, with higher rates of home turnover and appreciation having a positive impact on new pool starts over time. We also believe that homeowners’ good economic standing and access to consumer credit are critical factors enabling the purchase of new swimming pools and irrigation systems. Similar to other discretionary purchases, replacement and refurbishment activities are more heavily impacted by economic factors such as consumer confidence, GDP and employment levels. Contractor labor availability has also become an issue in recent years, limiting our customers’ ability to fully meet consumer construction and renovation demand. Labor supply constraints have intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has limited our customers’ ability to meet increased demand for new pool construction and renovation. Over the past decade, homeowners investing in their homes, including backyard renovations, have flourished. Steady increases in home values and lack of affordable new homes have prompted homeowners to stay in their homes longer and upgrade their home environments, including their backyards. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic over the past couple of years, many families spent more time at home and sought out opportunities to create or expand home-based outdoor living and entertainment spaces, which resulted in an increase in new pool construction and greater expenditures for maintenance and remodeling products. We estimate that new pool construction increased to approximately 120,000 units in 2021 from 96,000 units in 2020, representing a 25% increase in new pool construction. We expect that new pool and irrigation construction levels will continue to grow incrementally (subject to labor availability), but we believe that consumer investments in outdoor living spaces will generate greater growth over the next several years as backyards more increasingly become an extension of consumers’ home space. Although some constraints exist around residential construction activities, we believe that we are well positioned to take advantage of both the market expansion and the inherent long-term growth opportunities in our industry. Additionally, regulation passed by the U.S. Department of Energy, which became effective in July 2021, mandates all new motors and pumps for swimming pools must meet certain compliance regulations. We believe that this mandate, coupled with additional product developments and technological advancements as consumers focus on more environmentally sustainable and energy-efficient products, offers further growth opportunities over the next few years. We estimate that price inflation has averaged 1% to 2% annually in our industry over the past ten years. We generally pass industry price increases through our supply chain and may make strategic volume inventory purchases ahead of vendor price increases in order to obtain favorable pricing. Recently, supply chain interruptions, production shutdowns and weather-related events have resulted in increased inflation as higher costs to develop finished products are being passed down to consumers. Our results in 2021 benefited from above-average inflationary product cost increases of approximately 7% to 8%. We expect this trend to continue into 2022. We expect sales growth in 2022 to be higher due to impacts from inflationary product cost increases of approximately 9% to 10%. 3 Business Strategy and Growth Our mission is to provide exceptional value to our customers and suppliers, creating exceptional return to our shareholders, while providing exceptional opportunities to our employees. Our core strategies are as follows: • • • to promote the growth of our industry; to promote the growth of our customers’ businesses; and to continuously strive to operate more effectively. We promote the growth of our industry through various advertising and promotional programs intended to raise consumer awareness of the benefits and affordability of pool ownership, the ease of pool maintenance and the many ways in which a pool and the surrounding spaces may be enjoyed beyond swimming. These programs include digital and media advertising, industry-oriented website development such as www.swimmingpool.com®, www.hottubs.com® and www.nptpool.com®, social media platforms and other digital marketing initiatives, including our NPT® Backyard mobile app. We use these programs as tools to educate consumers and lead prospective pool owners to our customers. We promote the growth of our customers’ businesses by offering comprehensive support programs that include promotional tools and marketing support to help our customers generate increased sales. Our uniquely tailored programs include such features as customer lead generation, personalized websites, brochures, direct mail, marketing campaigns and business development training. As a customer service, we also provide certain retail store customers assistance with all aspects of their business, including site selection, store layout and design, product merchandising, business management system implementation, comprehensive product offering selections and efficient ordering and inventory management processes. In addition to these programs, we feature consumer showrooms in over 100 of our sales centers and host our annual Retail Summit to educate our customers about product offerings and the overall industry, although we did not host our annual Retail Summit over the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We also act as a day-to-day resource by offering product and market expertise to serve our customers’ unique needs. In addition to our efforts aimed at industry and customer growth, we strive to operate more effectively by continuously focusing on improvements in our operations, which we define as capacity creation. We aim to create capacity with business to business development tools and execution to ensure best-in-class service and value creation for our customers and suppliers. In particular, we have developed the Pool360 and Horizon 24/7 platforms that help our customers be more productive by allowing them to get pricing, check availability, enter orders and make payments online while leveraging our customer service staff resources, particularly during peak business periods. These tools not only offer real-time integration into our enterprise resource planning system, creating efficiencies in our business processes as well, but they also provide our customers graphical catalog presentation in the same platform. Our BlueStreak mobile ordering platform enables our sales associates to process orders faster, often eliminating the need for customers to get out of their vehicles. We are also actively making improvements to our sales centers and warehouses, including improved showroom layouts, sales center merchandising, bin replenishment and velocity slotting. Velocity slotting uses technology to identify fast moving, high velocity items, which are then color-coded and placed in an easily accessible location to create efficiencies for both our employees and customers. In addition to these initiatives, we strive to expand our Pool Corporation-branded products and exclusive brand offerings. We have grown our distribution networks through new sales center openings, acquisitions and the expansion of existing sales centers depending on our market presence and capacity. In 2021, we have grown our distribution network through the acquisition of the Sun Wholesale distribution network. Sun Wholesale distributes swimming pool supplies, equipment and related leisure products domestically, primarily servicing Pinch A Penny, Inc. franchisees. Pinch A Penny, Inc. is a franchisor of pool and outdoor living-related specialty retail stores in the United States with approximately 260 independently owned and operated franchised stores in Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama and Georgia. Sun Wholesale also owns and operates a specialty chemical packaging operation. For additional information regarding our new sales center openings, acquisitions and closures/consolidations, see Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and Item 8, Note 2 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements,” included in this Form 10-K. We plan to continue to make strategic acquisitions and open new sales centers to further penetrate existing markets and expand into both new geographic markets and new product categories. We believe that our high customer service levels and expanded product offerings have enabled us to gain market share historically. Going forward, we expect to realize sales growth through market share gains and continued expansion of our product offerings. 4 Customers and Products We serve roughly 120,000 customers. No single customer accounted for 10% or more of our sales in 2021. Most of our customers are small, family-owned businesses with relatively limited capital resources. Most of these businesses provide labor and technical services to the end consumer and operate as independent contractors and specialty retailers employing no more than ten employees (in many cases, working alone or with a limited crew). These customers also buy from other distributors, mass merchants, home stores and certain specialty and internet retailers. We provide extended payment terms to qualified customers for sales under early buy programs. The extended terms usually require payments in equal installments during the second quarter of each year. See Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Critical Accounting Estimates - Allowance for Doubtful Accounts” for additional information. We sell our products primarily to the following types of customers: • • • • • swimming pool remodelers and builders; specialty retailers that sell swimming pool supplies; swimming pool repair and service businesses; irrigation construction and landscape maintenance contractors; and commercial customers who service large commercial installations such as hotels, universities and community recreational facilities. We conduct our operations through 410 sales centers in North America, Europe and Australia. Our primary markets, with the highest concentration of swimming pools, are California, Texas, Florida and Arizona, collectively representing approximately 53% of our 2021 net sales. In 2021, we generated approximately 94% of our sales in North America (including Canada and Mexico), 5% in Europe and 1% in Australia. While we continue to expand both domestically and internationally, we expect this geographic mix to be similar over the next few years. References to product line and product category data throughout this Form 10-K 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. We use a combination of local and international sales and marketing personnel to promote the growth of our business and develop and strengthen our customers’ businesses. Our sales and marketing personnel focus on developing customer programs and promotional activities, creating and enhancing sales management tools and providing product and market expertise. Our local sales personnel work from our sales centers and are charged with understanding and meeting our customers’ specific needs. We offer our customers more than 200,000 manufacturer and Pool Corporation-branded products. We believe that our selection of pool equipment, supplies, chemicals, replacement parts, irrigation and related products and other pool construction and recreational products is the most comprehensive in the industry. We sell the following types of products: • maintenance products, such as chemicals, supplies and pool accessories; • • repair and replacement parts for pool equipment, such as cleaners, filters, heaters, pumps and lights; fiberglass pools and hot tubs and packaged pool kits including walls, liners, braces and coping for in-ground and above-ground pools; pool equipment and components for new pool construction and the remodeling of existing pools; irrigation and related products, including irrigation system components and professional lawn care equipment and supplies; building materials, such as concrete, plumbing and electrical components, both functional and decorative pool surfaces, decking materials, tile, hardscapes and natural stone, used for pool installations and remodeling; commercial products, including American Society of Material Engineers heaters, safety equipment and commercial pumps and filters; and other pool construction and recreational products, which consist of a number of product categories and include discretionary recreational and related outdoor living products, such as grills and components for outdoor kitchens. • • • • • We currently have over 600 product lines and approximately 50 product categories. Based on our 2021 product classifications, sales for our pool and hot tub chemicals product category represented approximately 9% of total net sales for 2021, 10% of total net sales in 2020 and 12% of total net sales in 2019. No other product categories accounted for 10% or more of total net sales in any of the last three fiscal years. 5 We continue to identify new related product categories, and we typically introduce new categories each year in select markets. We then evaluate the performance in these markets and focus on those product categories that we believe exhibit the best long-term growth potential. We expect to realize continued sales growth for these types of product offerings by expanding the number of locations that offer these products, increasing the number of products offered at certain locations and continuing a modest broadening of these product offerings on a company-wide basis. New product technology provides opportunities not only for improved energy-efficiency but also new enticements for leisure activities. Smart controls provide growth opportunities as most existing swimming pools run on mechanical time clocks. Major equipment manufacturers have developed and will continue to develop more retrofit kits that allow homeowners to interact with their pools or hot tubs through their smartphones. Robotic cleaners offer consumers a more efficient option for maintaining their swimming pools. We see each of these developments as significant growth opportunities. We offer a growing selection of energy-efficient and environmentally preferred products, which supports sustainability and helps our customers save energy, water and money. Our green technology products include variable speed pumps, LED pool and hot tub lights and high-efficiency heat pumps. Our Horizon sales centers offer organic fertilizers, organic pesticides, and irrigation products that reduce water usage, allowing our customers to have less of an impact on freshwater reserves. Regulation passed by the U.S. Department of Energy, which became effective in July 2021, mandates all new motors and pumps sold for swimming pools must meet certain compliance regulations. As the regulation has only recently become effective, the impact from this change through the end of 2021 season was not significant. Over the last several years, we have increased our product offerings and service abilities related to commercial swimming pools. We consider the commercial market to be a key growth opportunity as we focus more attention on providing products to customers who service large commercial installations such as hotels, condominiums, apartment complexes, universities and community recreational facilities. We continue to leverage our existing networks and relationships to grow this market. Sales to commercial customers declined in 2020 due to COVID-19 related closures and the decline in both business and leisure travel. In 2021, commercial sales have accelerated as business and leisure travel has increased and public facilities reopened following COVID-19 related closures in the prior year. In 2021, the sale of maintenance and minor repair products (non-discretionary) accounted for almost 60% of our sales and gross profits, while just over 40% of our sales and gross profits were derived from the refurbishment, replacement, construction and installation (equipment, materials, plumbing, electrical, etc.) of swimming pools (partially discretionary). During the economic downturn, which spanned from late 2006 to early 2010 and reached its low point in 2009, sales of maintenance and minor repair products had increased to approximately 70% of our sales and gross profits due to the significant declines in new pool construction and deferred remodeling and replacement activity. The current trend reflects a partial shift back toward a greater percentage of our sales coming from major refurbishment and replacement products due to the recovery of these activities since levels reached their historic low point in 2009. Since 2009, we have experienced product and customer mix changes, including a shift in consumer spending to some higher value, lower margin products such as variable speed pumps and high efficiency heaters. We expect continued demand for these products, but believe our efforts in various pricing and sourcing initiatives, including growth in our higher margin private label and exclusive products (PLEX) and our expansion of building materials product offerings, have helped offset these gross margin declines. Operating Strategy We distribute swimming pool supplies, equipment and related leisure products domestically through our SCP and Superior networks and internationally through our SCP network. We adopted the strategy of operating two distinct distribution networks within the U.S. swimming pool market primarily to offer our customers a choice of distinctive product selections, locations and service personnel. We distribute irrigation and related products through our Horizon network and tile, decking materials and interior pool finish products through our NPT network, as well as through SCP and Superior networks. In December 2021, we acquired Sun Wholesale., which distributes swimming pool supplies, equipment and related leisure products domestically, primarily servicing independently owned and operated Pinch A Penny, Inc. franchise locations. Going forward, we expect to expand our franchise operations through additional locations of Pinch A Penny franchised stores. Sun Wholesale Supply, Inc. also owns and operates a specialty chemical packaging operation. We evaluate our sales centers based on their performance relative to predetermined standards that include both financial and operational measures. Our corporate support groups provide our field operations with various services, such as developing and coordinating customer and vendor related programs, human resources support, information systems support and expert resources to help them achieve their goals. We believe our incentive programs and feedback tools, along with the competitive nature of our internal networks, stimulate and enhance employee performance. 6 Distribution Our sales centers are located within population centers near customer concentrations, typically in industrial, commercial or mixed-use zones. Customers may pick up products at any sales center location, or we may deliver products to their premises or job sites via our trucks or third-party carriers. Our sales centers maintain well-stocked inventories to meet our customers’ immediate needs. We utilize warehouse management technology to optimize receiving, inventory control, picking, packing and shipping functions. For additional information regarding our inventory management, see Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Critical Accounting Estimates - Inventory Obsolescence,” of this Form 10-K. We also operate four centralized shipping locations (CSLs) in the United States that redistribute products we purchase in bulk quantities to our sales centers or, in some cases, directly to customers. Our CSLs are regional locations that carry a wide range of traditional swimming pool, irrigation and landscape products and related construction products. Purchasing and Suppliers We enjoy good relationships with our suppliers, who generally offer competitive pricing, return policies and promotional allowances. It is customary in our industry for certain manufacturers to manage their shipments by offering seasonal terms to qualifying purchasers such as Pool Corporation, which are referred to as early buy purchases. These early buy purchases typically allow us to place orders in the fall at a modest discount, take delivery of product during the off-season months and pay for these purchases in the spring or early summer. Due to vendor backlogs, these early buy opportunities were generally not available in 2021 or 2020. Our preferred vendor program encourages our distribution networks to stock and sell products from a smaller number of vendors offering the best overall terms and service to optimize profitability and shareholder return. We also work closely with our vendors to develop programs and services to better meet the needs of our customers and to concentrate our inventory investments. These practices, together with a more comprehensive service offering, have positively impacted our selling margins and our returns on inventory investments. See Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Critical Accounting Estimates - Vendor Programs,” for additional information. We regularly evaluate supplier relationships and consider alternate sourcing to ensure competitive cost, service and quality standards. Our largest suppliers include Pentair plc, Hayward Pool Products, Inc. and Zodiac Pool Systems, Inc., which accounted for approximately 20%, 10% and 10%, respectively, of the cost of products we sold in 2021. Competition We are the largest wholesale distributor of swimming pool and related backyard products (based on industry knowledge and available data) and the only truly national wholesale distributor focused on the swimming pool industry in the United States. We are also one of the leading distributors of irrigation and landscape products in the United States. We face intense competition from many regional and local distributors in our markets and from one national wholesale distributor of landscape supplies. We also face competition, both directly and indirectly, from mass market retailers (both store-based and internet) and large pool supply retailers who primarily buy directly from manufacturers. Some geographic markets we serve, particularly the four largest and higher pool density markets of California, Texas, Florida and Arizona, have a greater concentration of competition than others. Barriers to entry in our industry are relatively low. We believe that the principal competitive factors in swimming pool and irrigation and landscape supply distribution are: • • • • • • the breadth and availability of products offered; the quality and level of customer service, including ease of ordering and product delivery; the breadth and depth of sales and marketing programs; consistency and stability of business relationships with customers and suppliers; competitive product pricing; and geographic proximity to the customer. 7 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Environmental We are committed to sustainable business practices, which includes offering eco-friendly products to our customers, closely monitoring our sourcing activities, and being good stewards within the communities we serve. Currently, we are taking steps to trim our carbon footprint and to improve product choices that allow our customers to reduce their environmental impact. Further, we are installing more energy-efficient systems throughout our network. We are continually striving to ensure success in our business while protecting resources for future generations. Our sustainability goals include the reduction of greenhouse gases and other harmful air emissions, water conservation, energy conservation and carbon footprint minimization. We continue to improve the ways in which we handle, distribute, transport and dispose of all products, particularly the chemicals and fertilizers that we sell. Among other initiatives in 2021, we believe our recent endeavors described further below will continue to create value for our customers, shareholders, employees, suppliers and communities. • We partnered with the YMCA to provide swimming lessons and the opportunity to learn basic water safety skills to • • • 1,500 children. To reduce any barriers to participation, we also donated new swimsuits and towels. In celebration of World Water Day, we made a donation to DigDeep, a human rights nonprofit organization working to bring clean, hot and cold running water into American homes. In honor of Earth Day, we donated 5,000 trees through the National Forest Foundation in an effort to restore and expand the national forest ecosystems. Through our partnership with LightStream, we helped contribute to the reforestation of more than 50 acres of trees by American Forests. Social - Human Capital Management We employed approximately 5,500 people at December 31, 2021. Given the seasonal nature of our business, our peak employment period is the summer and, depending on expected sales levels, we add 200 to 300 employees to our work force to meet seasonal demand. Approximately 90% of our employees are located in the U.S. We believe that we have good relations with our employees. None of our employees are currently covered under any collective bargaining agreements. We believe that our success is a direct result of the contributions and commitment of our employees. We provide competitive pay and benefits, as well as training and other resources to our employees. Our goal is to be an Employer of Choice through focusing on the engagement, development, retention, and health and well‑being of our employees. We have established a set of standard operating procedures to optimize our human capital management function, including hiring and human resource policies, training practices and operational instruction manuals. We focus on the following factors in implementing and developing our human capital strategy: • • • • employee health, safety and wellness; diversity, equity and inclusion; employee growth and development; and employee compensation and benefits. Employee Health, Safety and Wellness Our commitment to the health, safety and wellness of our employees ranks at the top of our core fundamental values. Our ultimate goal is to send every employee home each night in the same condition in which they came to work that morning. We aim to achieve zero serious injuries through continued investment in, and focus on, our core safety programs and injury- reduction initiatives. This effort begins immediately with new employees and is reinforced each day through a focus on safety awareness, risk identification and other essential safety protocols. We closely monitor overall workers’ compensation and auto claims, OSHA recordable incidents, Department of Transportation compliance and other internally established safety prevention elements in an effort to make every workday safe. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we have taken a number of actions to protect the health and well-being of our employees and to reward our employees for their contributions to our success. These actions include providing personal protective equipment, expanding healthcare benefits and re-configuring working spaces and arrangements. In 2020 and 2021, we made efforts to reward our employees by extending paid leave and paying additional discretionary bonuses to our employees for their contributions. 8 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) We are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace that represents the communities in which we work and live. We believe that diversity drives innovation and delivers the best solutions to complex problems, and our culture is one where differences are welcomed, valued and respected. We are committed to expanding the diversity of our workforce through the hiring, retention and advancement of underrepresented populations. To achieve this, our approach to DEI is as follows: • • • Diversity: Recruit, develop and retain a diverse workforce and provide developmental opportunities for career advancement for all employees; Equity: Review current policies, practices and procedures to remove possible impediments to equal employment opportunity for all prospective candidates and employees; and Inclusion: Communicate that we, as an Employer of Choice, are committed to DEI with action-oriented programs that produce results and employee engagement. Most recently, we established a DEI team, expanding existing content in core employee development programs and focused on improving our efforts to recruit and hire first-class diverse talent. In 2021, we held our inaugural Women in Leadership Forum, which was devoted to discussing what it means to be a female leader in wholesale distribution. In addition to our recent initiatives, we continue to support our existing employees with training and development aimed at creating and sustaining a more inclusive environment. Employee Growth and Development We strive to be an Employer of Choice by investing in our employees. Our goal is to attract, develop and retain a talented team of people inspired by our mission to provide exceptional value to our customers and suppliers and create exceptional return to our shareholders, while providing exceptional opportunities for our employees. Our success depends on our employees understanding how their work contributes to the company’s overall strategy. We use a variety of channels to facilitate open and direct communication with our employees, including open forums with executives and employee experience surveys. When our employees succeed, the company succeeds. To help our employees achieve success in their roles, we emphasize continuous training and development opportunities. These include annual performance assessments, safety and security protocols, updates on new products and service offerings and deployment of technologies. We also provide managerial training to mid-level managers and departmental leaders. This coursework covers topics such as talent review, development of underperforming employees, handling employee misconduct and coaching and success workshops. Our employees are also involved in a multitude of volunteer efforts that positively impact our communities through support of charitable organizations. We also provide an entry level program to prepare Manager Trainees (MITs) for sales and operations management opportunities. Our MITs are hosted at either our state-of-the-art EDGEucation Center, located in Plano, Texas or in a virtual classroom. Our program includes lectures, projects and role play to provide MITs with industry knowledge, leadership skills and the tools necessary to succeed within our organization. Employee Compensation and Benefits We strive to provide market-competitive compensation, benefits and services to our employees. Our performance-based compensation philosophy is based on rewarding each employee’s individual contributions regardless of gender, race or ethnicity. Our total compensation package includes cash compensation (base salary and incentive or bonus payments), company contributions toward additional benefits (such as health and disability plans), retirement plans with a company match and paid time off. We also offer the opportunity to become a shareholder through equity grants for management and our employee stock purchase plan. Our employees can take advantage of a range of benefits, including healthcare and wellness programs, tuition reimbursement for eligible employees and multi-year scholarships to their dependents, and financial wellness programs to help provide education and tools to assist in improving, maintaining and capitalizing on our employees’ financial future. We closely monitor employee turnover and conduct exit interviews to gain relevant information and adapt our engagement and retention strategy as appropriate. 9 Governance Our employees, managers and officers conduct our business under the direction of our CEO and the oversight of our Board of Directors (our Board) to enhance our long-term value for our stockholders. The core responsibility of our Board is to exercise its fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of our company and our stockholders. In exercising this obligation, our Board and committees perform a number of specific functions, including risk assessment, review and oversight. While management is responsible for the day-to-day management of risk, our Board is responsible for oversight of our risk management programs, ensuring that an appropriate culture of risk management exists within the company, and assisting management in addressing specific risks, such as strategic risks, financial risks, cybersecurity risks, regulatory risks and operational risks. Seasonality and Weather Our business is seasonal. In general, sales and operating income are highest during the second and third quarters, which represent the peak months of swimming pool use, pool and irrigation installation and remodeling and repair activities. Sales are lower during the first and fourth quarters. In 2021, we generated approximately 60% of our net sales and 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 late spring and summer, primarily because extended terms offered by our suppliers are typically payable during the second quarter of each year, while our peak accounts receivable collections typically occur in June, July and August. 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. 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 Hot and dry • • Possible Effects Increased 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 amounts of rain • Fewer pool and irrigation and landscaping installations Unseasonably early warming trends in spring/late cooling trends in fall (primarily in the northern half of the U.S. and Canada) Unseasonably late warming trends in spring/early cooling trends in fall (primarily in the northern half of the U.S. and Canada) • Decreased purchases of chemicals and supplies • Decreased purchases of impulse items such as above-ground pools and accessories • A longer pool and landscape season, thus positively impacting our sales • A shorter pool and landscape season, thus negatively impacting our sales For discussion regarding the effects seasonality and weather had on our results of operations in 2021 and 2020, see Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Seasonality and Quarterly Fluctuations,” of this Form 10-K. 10 Government Regulations Our business is subject to regulation under local fire codes and international, federal, state and local environmental and health and safety requirements, including regulation by the Environmental Protection Agency, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Department of Transportation, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the National Fire Protection Agency and the International Maritime Organization. Most of these requirements govern the packaging, labeling, handling, transportation, storage and sale of chemicals and fertilizers. We store certain types of chemicals and/or fertilizers at each of our sales centers and the storage of these items is strictly regulated by local fire codes. In addition, we sell algaecides and pest control products that are regulated as pesticides under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act and various state pesticide laws. These laws primarily relate to labeling, annual registration and licensing. Intellectual Property We maintain both domestic and foreign registered trademarks and patents, primarily for our Pool Corporation and affiliate branded products that are important to our current and future business operations. We also own rights to numerous internet domain names. Geographic Areas The table below presents net sales by geographic region, with international sales translated into U.S. dollars at prevailing exchange rates, for the past three fiscal years (in thousands): United States International $ $ Year Ended December 31, 2020 3,579,990 356,633 3,936,623 2021 4,749,459 546,125 5,295,584 $ $ $ $ 2019 2,911,772 287,745 3,199,517 The table below presents net property and equipment by geographic region, with international property and equipment balances translated into U.S. dollars at prevailing exchange rates, for the past three fiscal year ends (in thousands): United States International 2021 December 31, 2020 $ $ 171,408 7,600 179,008 $ $ 100,857 7,384 108,241 $ $ 2019 105,170 7,076 112,246 11 Website Access and Available Information Our website is www.poolcorp.com. Our website and other websites mentioned in this Form 10-K are for information only and the contents of such websites are not incorporated in, or otherwise to be regarded as part of, this Form 10-K. Our periodic reports, including our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 are available free of charge on our website at www.poolcorp.com as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such reports with, or furnish them to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). We regularly evaluate the possibility of acquiring additional companies, and at any given time may be engaged in discussions or negotiations regarding these transactions. We generally do not announce our acquisitions until they are completed, unless it is required by regulatory or other rules to announce when a definitive agreement is reached. Investors should also be aware that while we may answer questions raised by securities analysts, it is against our policy to disclose any material non-public information or other confidential information. Accordingly, investors should not assume that we agree with any statement or report issued by an analyst with respect to our past or projected performance. To the extent that reports issued by securities analysts contain any projections, forecasts or opinions, such reports are not our responsibility. Unless otherwise indicated, information contained in this report and other documents filed by us under the federal securities laws concerning our views and expectations regarding the industries in which we operate are based on estimates made by us using data from industry sources and making assumptions based on our industry knowledge and experience. We have not independently verified data from industry or other third-party sources and cannot guarantee its accuracy or completeness. 12 Item 1A. Risk Factors Cautionary Statement for Purposes of the “Safe Harbor” Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 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, 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. For these statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward- looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. Risk Factors Certain factors that may affect our business and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement are described below. Investors should carefully consider the risks described below in addition to the other information set forth in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The risks discussed below are not the only risks we face. Other risks or uncertainties not presently known to us, or that we currently believe are immaterial, may materially affect our business if they occur. Moreover, new risks emerge from time to time. Further, our business may also be affected by additional factors that generally apply to all companies operating in the U.S. and globally, which have not been included. Risks Relating to Macroeconomic Conditions The demand for our swimming pool, irrigation, landscape and related outdoor living products may be adversely affected by changes in consumer discretionary spending or unfavorable economic conditions. Consumer discretionary spending significantly affects our sales and is impacted by factors outside of our control, including general economic conditions, the residential housing market, unemployment rates, wage levels, interest rate fluctuations, inflation, disposable income levels, consumer confidence and access to credit. In economic downturns, the demand for swimming pool, irrigation, landscape and related outdoor living products may decline, often corresponding with declines in discretionary consumer spending, the growth rate of pool eligible households and swimming pool construction. Maintenance and repair products and certain replacement and refurbishment products are required to maintain existing swimming pools, and each currently accounts for approximately 60% and 20% to 25% of net sales related to our swimming pool business; however, the growth in this portion of our business depends on the expansion of the installed pool base and could also be adversely affected by decreases in construction activities, similar to the trends between late 2006 and early 2010. A weak economy may also cause consumers to defer discretionary replacement and refurbishment activity. Even in generally favorable economic conditions, severe and/or prolonged downturns in the housing market could have a material adverse impact on our financial performance. Such downturns expose us to certain additional risks, including but not limited to the risk of customer closures or bankruptcies, which could shrink our potential customer base and inhibit our ability to collect on those customers’ receivables. We believe that homeowners’ access to consumer credit at attractive interest rates is a critical factor enabling the purchase of new pools, irrigation systems and outdoor living products. Between late 2006 and early 2010, the unfavorable economic conditions and downturn in the housing market resulted in significant tightening of credit markets, which limited the ability of consumers to access financing for new swimming pools and irrigation systems. Any similar tightening of consumer credit or any increase in interest rates in the future could prevent consumers from obtaining financing for pool, irrigation and related outdoor projects, which could negatively impact our sales of construction-related products. Discretionary spending is often adversely affected during times of economic, social or political uncertainty. The potential for natural or man-made disasters or extreme weather, geopolitical events and security issues, labor or trade disputes and similar events could create these types of uncertainties and negatively impact our business in ways that we cannot presently predict. 13 The COVID-19 pandemic, other pandemics or epidemics in the future, and associated responses could adversely impact our business and results of operations. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted economic activity and markets throughout the world since early 2020. In response, various governmental authorities have imposed stay-at-home orders, shelter-in-place orders, quarantines, executive orders and similar government orders and restrictions to control the spread of COVID-19. Such orders or restrictions have resulted in temporary store closures, limitation of store hours, limitations on the number of people in stores or in warehouses, enhanced requirements on sanitation, social distancing practices and travel restrictions, among other effects. In almost all of our markets, we are designated as an essential business under the relevant state and local regulations; however, if this changes, it could adversely impact our financial condition and operating results. Variants of the virus that cause COVID-19 continue to be identified in the U.S. and elsewhere, which has led to uncertainty over the scope and duration of the pandemic. Accordingly, COVID-19, or any other future pandemic or other major public health crisis, may have negative impacts on our business in the future, and any future adverse impacts on our business may be worse than we anticipate. Impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with heightened demand, could also adversely impact our supply chain, making it difficult to source and receive products needed to keep our customers adequately supplied. The ultimate impact will depend on the severity and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, any future resurgences and actions taken by governmental authorities and other third parties in response, including the distribution and acceptance of vaccines, each of which is uncertain, rapidly changing and difficult to predict. Our recent growth rates driven by home-centric trends influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic may not be sustainable and may not be indicative of future growth rates. Risks Relating to Our Business and Industry We are susceptible to adverse weather conditions, which could intensify as a result of climate change. Given the nature of our business, weather is one of the principal external factors affecting our business and the effect of seasonality has a significant impact on our results. In 2021, we generated approximately 60% of our net sales and 69% of our operating income in the second and third quarters of the year. These quarters represent the peak months of swimming pool use, pool and irrigation installation and remodeling and repair activities. Unseasonably late warming trends in the spring or early cooling trends in the fall can shorten the length of the pool season. Also, unseasonably cool weather or extraordinary rainfall during the peak season can have an adverse impact on demand due to decreased swimming pool use, installation and maintenance, as well as decreased irrigation installations. While warmer weather conditions favorably impact our sales, global warming trends and other significant climate changes can create more variability in the short term or lead to other unfavorable weather conditions that could adversely impact our sales or operations. Drought conditions or water management initiatives may lead to government-imposed water use restrictions. Such restrictions could result in decreased pool and irrigation system installations which could negatively impact our sales. Certain extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, tropical storms, floods, drought and wildfires, may adversely impact us in several ways, including interfering with our ability to deliver our products and services, interfering with our receipt of supplies from our vendors, reducing demand for our products and services, and damaging our facilities. Climate change may increase the frequency or severity of natural disasters and other extreme weather events in the future, which would increase our exposure to these risks. Concern over climate change may also result in new or increased legal and regulatory requirements designed to reduce or mitigate the effects of climate change, which could increase our operating or capital expenses. For additional discussion regarding seasonality and weather, see Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Seasonality and Quarterly Fluctuations,” of this Form 10-K. Our distribution business is highly dependent on our ability to maintain favorable relationships with suppliers. As a distribution company, maintaining favorable relationships with our suppliers is critical to our success. We believe that we add considerable value to the swimming pool and irrigation supply chains by purchasing products from a large number of manufacturers and distributing the products to a highly fragmented customer base on conditions that are more favorable than these customers could obtain on their own. We believe that we currently enjoy good relationships with our suppliers, who generally offer us competitive pricing, return policies and promotional allowances. However, any failure to maintain favorable relationships with our suppliers could have an adverse effect on our business. 14 Our largest suppliers are Pentair plc, Hayward Pool Products, Inc. and Zodiac Pool Systems, Inc., which accounted for approximately 20%, 10% and 10%, respectively, of the costs of products we sold in 2021. A decision by our largest suppliers, acting individually or in concert, to sell their products directly to retailers or other end users of their products, bypassing distribution companies like ours, would have an adverse effect on our business. Additionally, if our suppliers experience difficulties or disruptions in their operations, if there is any material interruption in our supply chain or if we lose a single significant supplier due to financial failure or a decision to sell exclusively to retailers or end-use consumers, we may experience increased supply costs or delays in establishing replacement supply sources that meet our quality and control standards, which may affect our profitability. Thus far, the COVID-19 pandemic has not materially impacted our supply chain, and we do not expect it to materially impact our supply chain in 2022, although we can provide no assurances to this effect. We depend on a global network of suppliers to source our products, including our own branded products and products we have exclusive distribution rights to. Failure to achieve and maintain a high level of product and service quality and safety could damage our reputation, expose us to litigation and negatively impact our financial performance. We rely on manufacturers and other suppliers to provide us with the products we distribute. To succeed, we must continue to maintain effective business relationships with qualified suppliers who can timely and efficiently supply us with high quality products. As we increase the number of Pool Corporation and affiliate branded products we distribute, our exposure to potential liability claims may increase. Product and service quality issues could negatively impact customer confidence in our brands and our business. If our product and service offerings do not meet applicable safety standards or our customers’ expectations regarding safety or quality, we could experience lost sales and increased costs and be exposed to legal, financial and reputational risks, as well as governmental enforcement actions. Actual, potential or perceived product safety concerns, including health-related concerns, could damage our reputation with current or prospective customers, vendors and employees. Product quality or safety issues could also expose us to litigation, as well as government enforcement actions, and result in costly product recalls and other liabilities. Similar concerns impacting our competitors could damage the reputation of our industry and indirectly have an unfavorable impact on our operations. We face intense competition both from within our industry and from other leisure product alternatives. Within our industry, we directly compete against various regional and local distributors for the business of pool owners and other end-use customers. We indirectly compete against mass market retailers and large pool or irrigation supply retailers as they purchase the great majority of their needs directly from manufacturers. We compete to a lesser extent with internet retailers, as they purchase the majority of their needs from distributors. Outside of our industry, we compete indirectly with alternative suppliers of big-ticket consumer discretionary products, such as boat and motor home distributors, and with other companies who rely on discretionary homeowner expenditures, such as home remodelers. New competitors may emerge as there are low barriers to entry in our industry, which has led to highly competitive markets consisting of various-sized entities, ranging from small or local operators to large regional businesses. If our customers are attracted by the alternatives afforded by any of our competitors, they may be less inclined to purchase products or services from us, impacting our results of operations. Given the density and demand for pool products, some geographic markets that we serve also tend to have a higher concentration of competitors than others, particularly California, Texas, Florida and Arizona. These states encompass our four largest markets and represented approximately 53% of our net sales in 2021. The entry of significant new competitors into these markets could negatively impact our sales. More aggressive competition by store- and internet-based mass merchants and large pool or irrigation supply retailers could adversely affect our sales. Mass market retailers today carry a limited range of, and devote a limited amount of shelf space to, merchandise and products targeted to our industry. Historically, mass market retailers have generally expanded by adding new stores and product breadth, but their product offering of pool and irrigation related products has remained relatively constant. Should store‑ and internet- based mass market retailers increase their focus on the pool or irrigation industries, or increase the breadth of their pool and irrigation and related product offerings, they may become a more significant competitor for our direct customers and end- use consumers, which could have an adverse impact on our business. Additionally, because the internet facilitates competitive entry, price transparency and comparison shopping, increased internet sales by us or our competitors could increase the level of competition we face or reduce our margin. Further, we may face additional competitive pressures if large pool or irrigation supply retailers look to expand their customer base to compete more directly within the distribution channel. 15 We depend on our ability to attract, develop and retain highly qualified personnel. We consider our employees to be the foundation for our growth and success. As such, our future success depends in large part on our ability to attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel. This includes succession planning related to our executive officers and key management personnel. If we are unable to attract and retain key personnel, our operating results could be adversely affected. Given the seasonal nature of our business, we may hire additional employees during the summer months, including seasonal and part-time employees, who generally are not employed during the off-season. If we are unable to attract and hire additional personnel during the peak season, our operating results could be negatively impacted. Additionally, competition for qualified employees could require us to pay higher wages to attract a sufficient number of employees. The pandemic and other events over the past couple of years have increased employees’ expectations regarding compensation, workplace flexibility and work-home balance. These developments have made it more difficult for us to attract and retain top talent. We do not expect these developments to have a material adverse impact on us, but we can provide no assurances to this effect. Past growth may not be indicative of future growth. Historically, we have experienced substantial sales growth through organic market share gains, new sales center openings and acquisitions that have increased our size, scope and geographic distribution. Our various business strategies and initiatives, including our growth initiatives, are subject to business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. While we contemplate continued growth through internal expansion and acquisitions, no assurance can be made as to our ability to: penetrate new markets; generate sufficient cash flows to support expansion plans and general operating activities; obtain financing; identify appropriate acquisition candidates and successfully integrate acquired businesses; identify appropriate locations for new sales centers and successfully integrate them into our network; • • • • • • maintain favorable supplier arrangements and relationships; and • identify and divest assets which do not continue to create value consistent with our objectives. If we do not manage these potential difficulties successfully, our operating results could be adversely affected. Our results in 2020 and 2021 were positively impacted by home-centric trends resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. These trends may not continue, or may reverse, which could adversely impact our results of operations. In addition, in recent years our customers have had difficulty employing a sufficient number of qualified individuals to keep up with the demand for pool installation, maintenance and refurbishment. If this trend continues or accelerates, our results of operations could be negatively impacted. We are subject to inventory management risks. Insufficient inventory may result in lost sales opportunities or delayed revenue, while excess inventory may negatively impact our gross margin. We balance the need to maintain inventory levels that are sufficient to ensure competitive lead times against the risk of inventory obsolescence due to changing customer or consumer requirements and fluctuating commodity prices. In order to successfully manage our inventories, we must estimate demand from our customers and purchase products that substantially correspond to consumer demand. If we overestimate demand and purchase too much of a particular product, we face a risk that the price of that product will fall, leaving us with inventory that we cannot sell at normal profit margins. In addition, we may have to write down such inventory if we are unable to sell it for its recorded value. If we underestimate demand and purchase insufficient quantities of products, inventory shortages could result in delayed revenue or loss of sales opportunities altogether as potential customers turn to competitors’ products that are readily available. If we maintain insufficient inventory levels and prices rise for these products, we could be forced to purchase products at higher prices and forego profitability in order to meet customer demand. While always present, these challenges have been heightened over the past couple years, as the pandemic has altered consumer spending trends. Our business, financial condition and results of operations could be negatively impacted if either or both of these situations occur frequently or in large volumes. 16 Risks Relating to Technology, Cybersecurity and Data Privacy We rely on information technology systems to support our business operations. A significant disturbance, breach or cybersecurity attack of our technological infrastructure could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. Information technology supports several aspects of our business, including among others, product sourcing, pricing, customer service, transaction processing, inventory management, financial reporting, collections and cost management. Our ability to operate effectively on a day-to-day basis, communicate with our customers and accurately report our results depends on a reliable technological infrastructure, which is inherently susceptible to internal and external threats. We are vulnerable to interruption by fire, natural disaster, power loss, telecommunication failures, internet failures, security breaches and other catastrophic events. Exposure to various types of cyber-attacks such as malware, computer viruses, worms, ransomware or other malicious acts, as well as human error, could also potentially disrupt our operations, result in a significant interruption in the delivery of our goods and services or result in the loss of sensitive data. We are making, and expect to continue to make, investments in technology to maintain and update our computer systems and to expand our ability to engage in e-commerce with our customers. We may not implement these changes as quickly or successfully as our customers expect. In addition, implementing significant system changes increases the risk of computer system disruption. The potential problems and interruptions associated with implementing technology initiatives or conversions (including those contemplated under our currently pending multi-year systems upgrade project further described elsewhere herein), as well as providing training and support for those initiatives, could disrupt or reduce our operational efficiency. Advances in computer and software capabilities, encryption technology and other discoveries increase the complexity of our technological environment, including how each interact with our various software platforms. Such advances could delay or hinder our ability to process transactions or could compromise the integrity of our data, resulting in a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations. We also may experience occasional system interruptions and delays that make our information systems unavailable or slow to respond, including the interaction of our information systems with those of third parties or the failure of software of services provided by third parties that we do not control. A lack of sophistication or reliability of our information systems could adversely impact our operations and customer service and could require major repairs or replacements, resulting in significant costs and foregone revenue. Like other companies our size, we devote significant resources to protect our systems and data from cyber-attacks. Despite our substantial efforts to defend against these attacks, we have faced various attempted cyber-attacks that did not result in a material adverse effect on our operations, operating results or financial condition. The risk of breaches is likely to continue to increase due to several factors, including the increasing sophistication of cyber-attacks and the wider accessibility of cyber-attack tools. Known and newly discovered software and hardware vulnerabilities are constantly evolving, which increases the difficulty of detecting and successfully defending against them. Consequently, we may not be able to implement security barriers or other preventative measures that repel all future cyber-attacks or detect such attacks in a timely manner to minimize the potential business disruption and unfavorable financial impacts. Although we maintain insurance coverage that may, subject to policy terms and conditions (including self-insured deductibles, coverage restrictions and monetary coverage caps), cover certain aspects of our cyber risks, such insurance coverage may be unavailable or insufficient to cover our losses. Failure to maintain the security of confidential information could damage our reputation and expose us to litigation. Additionally, changes in data privacy laws and our ability to comply with them could have a material adverse effect on us. We collect and store data that is sensitive to us and our employees, customers and vendors. The failure to maintain security over and prevent unauthorized access to our data, our customers’ personal information, including credit card information, or data belonging to our suppliers, could put us at a competitive disadvantage. Such a breach could result in damage to our reputation and subject us to potential litigation, liability, fines and penalties and require us to incur significant expense to address and remediate or otherwise resolve these issues, resulting in a possible material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations. 17 A variety of state, national, foreign and international laws and regulations apply to the collection, use, retention, protection, security, disclosure, transfer and other processing of personal and other data. The European Union and other international regulators, as well as state governments, have recently enacted or enhanced data privacy regulations, such as the California Consumer Privacy Act, and other governments are considering establishing similar or stronger protections. These regulations impose certain obligations for handling specified personal information in our systems and for apprising individuals of the information we have collected about them. Many of these laws are complex and change frequently and often conflict with the laws in other jurisdictions. Despite our best efforts to comply, any noncompliance could result in incurring potential substantial penalties and reputational damage. Risks Relating to Legal, Regulatory and Compliance Matters The nature of our business subjects us to compliance with employment, environmental, health, transportation, safety and other governmental regulations. Our costs of doing business could increase as a result of changes in, expanded enforcement of, or adoption of new federal, state or local laws and regulations. We are subject to regulation under federal, state, local and international employment, environmental, health, transportation and safety requirements, which govern such things as packaging, labeling, handling, transportation, storage and sale of chemicals and fertilizers. These laws and regulations, and related interpretations and enforcement activity, may change as a result of a variety of factors, including political, economic or social events. Changes in, expanded enforcement of, or adoption of new federal, state or local laws and regulations governing minimum wage or living wage requirements, the classification of exempt and non-exempt employees or other wage, labor or workplace regulations could increase our costs of doing business and adversely impact our results of operations. We sell algaecides and pest control products that are regulated as pesticides under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act and various state pesticide laws. These laws primarily relate to labeling, annual registration and licensing. Management has processes in place to facilitate and support our compliance with these requirements. However, failure to comply with these laws and regulations may result in investigations, the assessment of administrative, civil and criminal fines, damages, seizures, disgorgements, penalties or the imposition of injunctive relief. Moreover, compliance with such laws and regulations in the future could prove to be costly. Although we presently do not expect to incur any capital or other expenditures relating to regulatory matters in amounts that may be material to us, we may be required to make such expenditures in the future. These laws and regulations have changed substantially and rapidly over the last 25 years and we anticipate that there will be continuing changes. The clear trend in environmental, health, transportation and safety regulations is to place more restrictions and limitations on activities that impact the environment, such as the use and handling of chemicals and the discharge of greenhouse gases. Increasingly, strict restrictions and limitations have resulted in higher operating costs for us and it is possible that the costs of compliance with such laws and regulations will continue to increase. Our attempts to anticipate future regulatory requirements that might be imposed and our plans to remain in compliance with changing regulations and to minimize the costs of such compliance may not be as effective as we anticipate. Our business could be impacted by our public statements regarding various corporate environmental social and governance (“ESG”) initiatives or changes in consumers’ view of our products. As part of our strategy regarding ESG matters, we may set targets aimed at reducing our impact on the environment and climate change or targets relating to other sustainability matters. It is possible that we may not be able to achieve such targets or our desired impact, which may cause us to suffer from reputational damage or our business or financial condition could be adversely affected. Actions we take to achieve our strategy or targets could result in increased costs to our operations and changes in customers’ attitudes towards the environmental impact of our pool chemical products could reduce our sales. In addition, investors and stakeholders are increasingly focused on ESG matters, and positions we take or refrain from taking on ESG issues could negatively impact our reputation or relations with investors, customers, vendors, employees and others. We store chemicals, fertilizers and other combustible materials that involve fire, safety and casualty risks. We store chemicals and fertilizers, including certain combustibles and oxidizing compounds, at our sales centers. A fire, explosion or flood affecting one of our facilities could give rise to fire, safety and casualty losses and related liability claims. We maintain what we believe is prudent insurance protection. However, we cannot guarantee that our insurance coverage will be adequate to cover future claims that may arise or that we will be able to maintain adequate insurance in the future at rates we consider reasonable. Successful claims for which we are not fully insured may adversely affect our working capital and profitability. In addition, changes in the insurance industry have generally led to higher insurance costs and decreased availability of coverage. 18 We conduct business internationally, which exposes us to additional risks. Our ability to successfully conduct operations in, and source products and materials from, international markets is affected by many of the same risks we face in our U.S. operations, as well as unique costs and difficulties of managing international operations. Our international operations, including Canada and Mexico, which accounted for 10% of our total net sales in 2021, expose us to certain additional risks, including: • • • • • • difficulty in staffing international subsidiary operations; different political, economic and regulatory conditions; local laws and customs; currency fluctuations, exchange controls and repatriation restrictions; adverse tax consequences; and adverse consequences for violating anti-corruption, anti-competition, economic sanctions, immigration and other laws governing international commerce. For foreign-sourced products, we may be subject to certain trade restrictions that would prevent us from obtaining products. There is also a greater risk that we may not be able to access products in a timely and efficient manner. Fluctuations in other factors relating to international trade, such as tariffs, transportation costs and inflation are additional risks for our international operations. Excess tax benefits or deficiencies recognized from our accounting for share-based awards impact our reported earnings. In 2017, we adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. Our projections of financial statement impacts related to ASU 2016-09 are subject to several assumptions which can vary significantly, including our estimated share price and the period that our employees will exercise vested stock options. Excess tax benefits or deficiencies recognized under ASU 2016-09 vary from quarter to quarter and past results may not be indicative of future results. General Risks Changes in tax laws and accounting standards related to tax matters have caused, and may in the future cause, fluctuations in our effective tax rate. Taxation and tax policy changes, tax rate changes, new tax laws, revised tax law interpretations and changes in accounting standards and guidance related to tax matters may cause fluctuations in or adversely affect our effective tax rate. Our effective tax rate may also be impacted by changes in the geographic mix of our earnings. We cannot assure you we will continue paying dividends at the current rates, or at all. We cannot assure you we will continue periodic dividends on our capital stock at the current rates, or at all. Any quarterly dividends on our common stock will be paid from funds legally available for such purpose when, and if, declared by our Board of Directors. Decisions on whether, when and in which amounts to continue making any future dividend distributions will remain at all times entirely at the discretion of our Board of Directors, which reserves the right to change or terminate our dividend practices at any time and for any reason without prior notice. Holders of our common stock should be aware they have no contractual or other legal right to receive dividends. Similarly, holders of our common stock should be aware that repurchases of our common stock under any repurchase plan then in effect are completely discretionary and may be suspended or discontinued at any time for any reason regardless of our financial position. Lapses in our disclosure controls and procedures or internal control over financial reporting could materially and adversely affect us. We maintain disclosure controls and procedures designed to provide reasonable assurances regarding the accuracy and completeness of our SEC reports and internal control over financial reporting designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability and compliance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) of our financial statements. We cannot assure you these measures will be effective. 19 We may be adversely affected by changes in LIBOR reporting practices or the method in which LIBOR is determined. Borrowings under our unsecured syndicated senior credit facility, term facility, accounts receivable securitization facility and our derivatives instruments are indexed to the London Inter-bank Offering Rate (“LIBOR”). In July 2017, the Financial Conduct Authority (the regulatory authority over LIBOR) stated they will plan for a phase out of regulatory oversight of LIBOR after 2021 to allow for an orderly transition to an alternative reference rate. On November 30, 2020, ICE Benchmark Administration (“IBA”), the administrator of LIBOR, with the support of the United States Federal Reserve and the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority, announced plans to consult on ceasing publication of USD LIBOR on December 31, 2021 for only the one week and two month USD LIBOR tenors, and on June 30, 2023 for all other USD Libor tenors. While this announcement extends the transition period to June 2023, the United States Federal Reserve concurrently issued a statement advising banks to stop new USD LIBOR issuances by the end of 2021. Although the Alternative Reference Rates Committee has endorsed the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) as its preferred replacement for LIBOR, the market transition away from LIBOR towards SOFR may be complicated, and there is no guarantee that SOFR will become a widely accepted benchmark in place of LIBOR. The full impact of the transition away from LIBOR, including the discontinuance of LIBOR publication and the transition to a replacement rate may have an adverse impact on our financing costs and any floating rate indebtedness we may incur. Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments None. 20 Item 2. Properties We lease the Pool Corporation corporate offices, which consist of approximately 60,000 square feet of office space in Covington, Louisiana, from an entity in which we have a 50% ownership interest. We own five sales center facilities in Florida, three in Texas, one in Alabama, one in California, one in Georgia and one in Tennessee. As part of our acquisition of Porpoise Pool & Patio, Inc. in December 2021, we own the corporate headquarters and the Sun Wholesale Supply, Inc. facilities located in Florida. We lease all of our other properties and the majority of our leases have three to seven year terms. As of December 31, 2021, we had twenty-one leases with remaining terms longer than seven years that expire between 2029 and 2036. Most of our leases contain renewal options, some of which involve rent increases. In addition to minimum rental payments, which are set at competitive rates, certain leases require reimbursement for taxes, maintenance and insurance. Our sales centers range in size from approximately 2,000 square feet to 70,000 square feet and generally consist of warehouse, counter, display and office space. Our centralized shipping locations (CSLs) range in size from approximately 115,000 square feet to 185,000 square feet. We believe that our facilities are well maintained, suitable for our business and occupy sufficient space to meet our operating needs. As part of our normal business, we regularly evaluate sales center performance and site suitability and may relocate a sales center or consolidate two locations if a sales center is redundant in a market, underperforming or otherwise deemed unsuitable. We do not believe that any single lease is material to our operations. The table below summarizes the changes in our sales centers during the year ended December 31, 2021: Network SCP (2) Superior Horizon NPT (3) Total Domestic SCP International Total 12/31/20 New Locations 186 73 76 21 356 42 398 5 — 4 — 9 1 10 Closed/ Consolidated Locations (1) — (1) — (1) (2) — (2) Acquired Locations 12/31/21 2 1 1 — 4 — 4 193 73 81 20 367 43 410 (1) Consolidated sales centers are those locations where we expect to transfer the majority of the existing business to our nearby sales center locations. (2) Acquired locations includes one distribution location for Sun Wholesale Supply, Inc., which we acquired in December 2021. As part of the acquisition, we also acquired non-sales center properties including a chemical packaging plant and three Pinch A Penny, Inc. retail stores in Florida. In addition to the stand-alone NPT sales centers, there are over 100 SCP and Superior locations that have consumer showrooms and serve as stocking locations that feature NPT brand tile and composite finish products. (3) 21 The table below identifies the number of sales centers in each state, territory or country by distribution network as of December 31, 2021: Superior Horizon Total NPT SCP Location United States California Florida Texas Arizona Georgia Tennessee Nevada New York Washington New Jersey North Carolina Pennsylvania Virginia Alabama Illinois Indiana Louisiana Oregon South Carolina Missouri Ohio Oklahoma Arkansas Colorado Idaho Connecticut Kansas Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Hawaii Iowa Kentucky Maryland Nebraska New Mexico Puerto Rico Utah Wisconsin Total United States International Canada France Australia Mexico Portugal Spain Belgium Croatia Germany Italy United Kingdom Total International Total 18 17 16 9 1 — 3 — 6 — 1 — 3 — — — — 4 — — — — — 1 2 — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — 81 — — — — — — — — — — — — 81 6 1 7 2 1 — 1 — — — — 1 — — — — — — — — — 1 — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — 20 — — — — — — — — — — — — 20 76 62 54 26 11 10 9 9 9 7 7 7 7 6 5 5 5 5 5 4 4 4 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 367 17 7 6 4 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 43 410 28 39 26 7 7 6 2 9 3 5 4 5 3 4 4 2 5 1 4 3 2 2 3 — 1 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 1 — 1 1 1 1 1 — 193 17 7 6 4 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 43 236 24 5 5 8 2 4 3 — — 2 2 1 1 2 1 3 — — 1 1 2 1 — 2 — — — — — 1 — — — 1 — — — — — 1 73 — — — — — — — — — — — — 73 22 Item 3. 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, 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 4. Mine Safety Disclosures Not applicable. 23 PART II. Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the trading symbol “POOL.” On February 18, 2022, there were approximately 531 holders of record of our common stock. We initiated quarterly dividend payments to our shareholders in the second quarter of 2004 and we have continued payments in each subsequent quarter. Our Board has increased the dividend amount sixteen times, including in the fourth quarter of 2004, annually in the second quarters of 2005 through 2008 and in the second quarters of 2011 through 2021. 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 Note 5 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements,” included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K. 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. Stock Performance Graph The information included under the caption “Stock Performance Graph” in this Item 5 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K is not deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the SEC or subject to Regulation 14A or 14C under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the 1934 Act) or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the 1934 Act, and will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the 1934 Act, except to the extent we specifically incorporate it by reference into such a filing. The following graph compares the cumulative total shareholder return on our common stock for the last five fiscal years with the total return on the S&P 500 Index, of which we have been a member since 2020, and the Nasdaq Index for the same period, in each case assuming the investment of $100 on December 31, 2016 and the reinvestment of all dividends. We believe the S&P 500 Index is comprised of similar-sized public companies that represent the most likely alternative investments for investors. Additionally, we chose the S&P 500 Index for comparison, as opposed to an industry index, because we do not believe that we can reasonably identify a peer group or a published industry or line-of-business index that contains companies in a similar line of business. 24 Company / Index Pool Corporation S&P 500 Index Nasdaq Index Base Period 12/31/16 $ 100.00 100.00 100.00 Indexed Returns Years Ending 12/31/19 $ 210.78 153.17 172.18 12/31/18 $ 145.87 116.49 125.96 12/31/17 $ 125.78 121.83 129.64 12/31/20 $ 372.99 181.35 249.51 12/31/21 $ 570.59 233.41 304.85 Purchases of Equity Securities The table below summarizes the repurchases of our common stock in the fourth quarter of 2021: Period October 1 – October 31, 2021 November 1 – November 30, 2021 December 1 – December 31, 2021 Total Total Number of Shares Purchased (1) Average Price Paid per Share Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plan (2) Maximum Approximate Dollar Value of Shares That May Yet be Purchased Under the Plan (3) 125 $ 515.16 — $ — $ — — 125 $ 515.16 — $ — $ — $ — 494,723,778 494,723,778 494,723,778 (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. There were 125 shares surrendered for this purpose in the fourth quarter of 2021. In May 2021, our Board authorized an additional $450.0 million under our share repurchase program for the repurchase of shares of our common stock in the open market at prevailing market prices or in privately negotiated transactions. (2) (3) As of February 18, 2022, our total authorization remaining was $482.4 million. Item 6. [RESERVED] Not applicable. 25 Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations For a discussion of our base business calculations, see the RESULTS OF OPERATIONS section below. 2021 FINANCIAL OVERVIEW Financial Results Net sales increased 35% to $5.3 billion for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to $3.9 billion in 2020, while base business sales increased 29%. Our sales were driven by strong customer demand for outdoor living products throughout the year and benefited from inflation and warmer weather trends across most of the United States. Gross profit reached $1.6 billion for the year ended December 31, 2021, a 43% increase over gross profit of $1.1 billion in 2020. Gross margin improved 180 basis points to 30.5% in 2021 compared to 28.7% in 2020, reflecting benefits from our actions to address inflation and manage supply chain disruptions, along with favorable impacts realized from increased purchase volumes. Selling and administrative expenses (operating expenses), including a $2.5 million note recovery in 2021 and $6.9 million of impairment charges in 2020, increased 18%, or $117.4 million, to $784.3 million in 2021, with base business operating expenses up 12% over 2020. Our operating expenses have increased as we reward our employees through performance-based compensation, in addition to increases in growth-driven labor, facility and freight costs, and investments in technology. As a percentage of net sales, operating expenses declined 210 basis points to 14.8% in 2021 compared to 16.9% in 2020. Operating income for the year increased 79% to $832.8 million, up from $464.0 million in 2020. Operating margin increased 390 basis points to 15.7% in 2021 compared to 11.8% in 2020. We recorded a $30.0 million, or $0.74 per diluted share, tax benefit from Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to a tax benefit of $28.6 million, or $0.70 per diluted share, realized in 2020. Net income increased 77% to $650.6 million in 2021 compared to $366.7 million in 2020. Adjusted net income, without the note recovery in 2021 and the prior year impact of impairments, both net of tax, increased 74% to $648.8 million. Earnings per share increased 78% to a record $15.97 per diluted share compared to $8.97 per diluted share in 2020. See RESULTS OF OPERATIONS below for definitions of our non-GAAP measures and reconciliations of our non-GAAP measures to GAAP measures. 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 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 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 or results. Beginning in the second quarter of 2020 and through the end of 2021, 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. 26 Our industry experienced constrained supply chain dynamics in 2021. 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 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 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 Position and Liquidity Cash provided by operations was $313.5 million in 2021. Cash provided by operations throughout the year helped fund the following initiatives: • • • • net working capital outflows of $392.3 million; share repurchases, totaling $138.0 million for the year; quarterly cash dividend payments to shareholders, totaling $119.6 million for the year; and net capital expenditures of $37.7 million. Total net receivables, including pledged receivables, increased 30% compared to December 31, 2020, primarily driven by our sales growth and 2021 acquisitions. Our allowance for doubtful accounts was $5.9 million at December 31, 2021 and $4.8 million at December 31, 2020. Our days sales outstanding ratio, as calculated on a trailing four quarters basis, was 25.6 days at December 31, 2021 and 26.5 days at December 31, 2020. Inventory levels grew 71% to $1.3 billion at December 31, 2021 compared to $781.0 million at December 31, 2020, reflecting significant investments in inventory throughout the year to support increased demand and help manage supply chain pressures, in addition to impacts from inflation and acquisitions. Our reserve for inventory obsolescence was $15.2 million at December 31, 2021 compared to $11.4 million at December 31, 2020. Our inventory turns, as calculated on a trailing four quarters basis, were 3.4 times at December 31, 2021 and 3.8 times at December 31, 2020. Our inventory turns at December 31, 2021 are consistent with average inventory turns over the past five years. Accrued expenses and other current liabilities increased $121.2 million to $264.9 million in 2021, primarily reflecting an increase in deferred income tax payments of $79.5 million and a $16.4 million increase in accrued performance-based compensation. As allowed for companies impacted by Hurricane Ida, we deferred our 2021 third and fourth quarter estimated federal tax payments, which were paid in February 2022. Total debt outstanding of $1.2 billion at December 31, 2021 increased $767.3 million compared to December 31, 2020. We utilized debt proceeds to fund our 2021 acquisitions, including Porpoise Pool & Patio, Inc., which we purchased on December 16, 2021 for $788.7 million, net of cash acquired. Current Trends and Outlook Over the past two years, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, families spent more time at home and sought out opportunities to create or expand home-based outdoor living and entertainment spaces, which resulted in an increase in new pool construction and greater expenditures for maintenance and remodeling products. We believe that increased consumer spending on homes, including outdoor living spaces, will have longer term benefits as work-from-home trends persist or increase. Over the past decade, homeowners investing in their homes, including backyard renovations, have flourished. Steady increases in home values and lack of affordable new homes have prompted homeowners to stay in their homes longer and upgrade their home environments, including their backyards. We expect that new pool and irrigation system construction levels will continue to grow incrementally, constrained by availability of construction labor. However, we believe that consumer investments in outdoor living spaces will generate continued growth over the next several years. Although some constraints exist around residential construction activities, we believe that we are well positioned to take advantage of both the near term market expansion and the inherent long term growth opportunities in our industry. 27 We have benefited from strong pool construction trends as robust demand fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic led to increased home investment trends. We estimate that new pool construction increased to approximately 120,000 units in 2021 from 96,000 units in 2020, representing a 25% increase in new pool construction. Favorable weather positively impacts industry growth by accelerating growth in any given year, expanding the number of available construction days, extending the pool season and pool usage and positively impacting demand for discretionary products. Conversely, unfavorable weather impedes growth. In establishing our outlook each year, we base our growth assumptions on normal weather conditions and do not incorporate alternative weather predictions into our guidance. We established our initial outlook for 2022 based on reasonable expectations of organic industry and market share growth, ongoing leverage of existing investments in our business and continuous process improvements. Impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with heightened demand, could continue to adversely impact our supply chain, making it difficult to source and receive products needed to keep our customers adequately supplied. Although supply constraints did not have a material impact on our business in 2021, it is difficult to predict the extent to which this could impact our business in 2022. We expect to continue to gain market share through our comprehensive service and product offerings, which we continually diversify through internal sourcing initiatives and expansion into new markets. We also plan to broaden our geographic presence by opening 8 to 10 new sales centers in 2022 and by making selective acquisitions when appropriate opportunities arise. The following summarizes our outlook for 2022: • We expect sales growth of 17% to 19%, impacted by the following factors and assumptions: ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ normal weather patterns for 2022; continued elevated demand for residential pool products, driven by home-centric trends; a benefit from construction backlogs depending on our customers’ building capacity, including the availability of labor, and weather; inflationary product cost increases, which generally pass through to customers, of approximately 9% to 10% (compared to 7% to 8% in 2021); estimated 5% growth from acquisitions completed throughout 2021; and ◦ ◦ market share gains. • We expect relatively neutral gross margin trends for the full year of 2022 compared to the full year of 2021 with modest improvements in the first half of 2022 and declines in the latter half of the year. However, our gross margin trends are dependent on amounts and timing of inflationary price increases, sales growth expectations and product mix. • We believe that tight labor and real estate markets will present challenges in managing expenses in 2022. However, we project that operating expense growth in 2022 will be less than our gross profit growth. We expect that our operating expense growth will reflect inflationary increases and incremental costs to support our investment initiatives, including increased investments in technology and expansion of our sales center network. In 2022, we expect our effective tax rate will approximate 25.5%, without the impact of ASU 2016-09. Our effective tax rate is dependent upon our results of operations and may change if actual results are different from our current expectations. Due to ASU 2016-09 requirements, we expect our effective tax rate will fluctuate from quarter to quarter, particularly in periods when employees elect to exercise their vested stock options or when restrictions on share-based awards lapse. We estimate that we have approximately $7.6 million in unrealized excess tax benefits related to stock options that expire and restricted awards that vest in the first quarter of 2022. We may recognize additional tax benefits related to stock option exercises in 2022 from grants that expire in years after 2022, for which we have not included any expected benefits in our guidance. The estimated impact related to ASU 2016-09 is subject to several assumptions which can vary significantly, including our estimated share price and the period that our employees will exercise vested stock options. We recorded a $30.0 million benefit in our provision for income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2021 related to ASU 2016-09. We project that 2022 earnings will be in the range of $17.19 to $17.94 per diluted share, including an estimated $0.19 benefit from ASU 2016-09 during the first quarter of 2022. We expect to continue to use cash to fund opportunistic share repurchases over the next year and to use cash for the payment of cash dividends as and when declared by our Board of Directors. 28 The forward-looking statements in this Current Trends and Outlook section are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including the effects of the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, and the extent to which home-centric trends will continue, accelerate or reverse, the sensitivity of our business to weather conditions, changes in the economy, consumer discretionary spending or the housing market, our ability to maintain favorable relationships with suppliers and manufacturers, competition from other leisure product alternatives or mass merchants and other risks detailed in Item 1A of this Form 10-K. Also see “Cautionary Statement for Purposes of the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995” prior to the heading “Risk Factors” in Item 1A. CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES Critical accounting estimates are those estimates made in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles that involve a significant level of estimation uncertainty and have had, or are reasonably likely to have, a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations. Management has discussed the development, selection and disclosure of our critical accounting estimates with the Audit Committee of our Board. Our critical accounting estimates are discussed below, including, to the extent material and reasonably available, the impact such estimates have had, or are reasonably likely to have, on our financial condition or results of operations. Allowance for Doubtful Accounts We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts based on an estimate of the losses we will incur if our customers do not make required payments. We perform periodic credit evaluations of our customers and typically do not require collateral. Consistent with industry practices, we generally require payment from our North American customers within 30 days, except for sales under early buy programs for which we provide extended payment terms to qualified customers. The extended terms usually require payments in equal installments in April, May and June or May and June, depending on geographic location. Credit losses have generally been within or better than our expectations. Similar to our business, our customers’ businesses are seasonal. Sales are lowest in the winter months and our past due accounts receivable balance as a percentage of total receivables generally increases during this time. We provide reserves for uncollectible accounts based on our accounts receivable aging. These reserves range from 0.05% for amounts currently due to up to 100% for specific accounts more than 60 days past due. At the end of each quarter, we perform a reserve analysis of all accounts with balances greater than $20,000 and more than 60 days past due. Additionally, we perform a separate reserve analysis on the balance of our accounts receivables with emphasis on past due accounts. We estimate future losses based upon historical bad debts, customer receivable balances, age of customer receivable balances, customers’ financial conditions and current and forecasted economic trends, including certain trends in the housing market, the availability of consumer credit and general economic conditions (as commonly measured by Gross Domestic Product or GDP). We monitor housing market trends through review of the House Price Index as published by the Federal Housing Finance Agency, which measures the movement of single-family home prices. During the year, we write off account balances when we have exhausted reasonable collection efforts and determined that the likelihood of collection is remote. These write-offs are charged against our allowance for doubtful accounts. In the past five years, write-offs have averaged approximately 0.08% of net sales annually. Write-offs as a percentage of net sales approximated 0.06% in 2021, 0.09% in 2020 and 0.12% in 2019. We expect that write-offs will range from 0.05% to 0.10% of net sales in 2022. At the end of each fiscal year, we prepare a hindsight analysis by comparing the prior year-end allowance for doubtful accounts balance to (i) current year write-offs and (ii) any significantly aged outstanding receivable balances. Based on our hindsight analysis, we concluded that the prior year allowance was within a range of acceptable estimates and that our estimation methodology is appropriate. If the balance of the accounts receivable reserve increased or decreased by 20% at December 31, 2021, pretax income would change by approximately $1.2 million and earnings per share would change by approximately $0.02 per diluted share (based on the number of weighted average diluted shares outstanding for the year ended December 31, 2021). 29 Inventory Obsolescence Product inventories represent the largest asset on our balance sheet. Our goal is to manage our inventory such that we minimize stock-outs to provide the highest level of service to our customers. To do this, we maintain at each sales center an adequate inventory of stock keeping units (SKUs) with the highest sales volumes. At the same time, we continuously strive to better manage our slower moving classes of inventory, which are not as critical to our customers and thus, inherently turn at slower rates. We classify products at the sales center level based on sales at each location over the expected sellable period, which is the previous 12 months for most products, except for special order non-stock items that lack a SKU in our system and products with less than 12 months of usage. Below is a description of these inventory classifications: • • • • • new products with less than 12 months usage; highest sales velocity items, which represent approximately 80% of net sales at the sales center; lower sales velocity items, which we keep in stock to provide a high level of customer service; products with no sales for the past 12 months at the local sales center level, excluding special order products not yet delivered to the customer; and non-stock special order items. There is little risk of obsolescence for our highest sales velocity items, which represent approximately 80% of net sales at the sales center, because these products generally turn quickly. We establish our reserve for inventory obsolescence based on inventory with lower sales velocity and inventory with no sales for the past 12 months, which we believe represent some exposure to inventory obsolescence, with particular emphasis on SKUs with the least sales over the previous 12 months. The reserve is intended to reflect the value of inventory at net realizable value. We provide a reserve of 5% for inventory with lower sales velocity, inventory with no sales for the past 12 months and non-stock inventory as determined at the sales center level. We also provide an additional 5% reserve for excess lower sales velocity inventory and an additional 45% reserve for excess inventory with no sales for the past 12 months. We determine excess inventory, which is defined as the amount of inventory on hand in excess of the previous 12 months’ usage, on a company-wide basis. We also evaluate whether the calculated reserve provides sufficient coverage of total inventory with no sales for the past 12 months. We have not changed our methodology from prior years. In evaluating the adequacy of our reserve for inventory obsolescence, we consider a combination of factors, including: • • • • • the level of inventory in relation to historical sales by product, including inventory usage by class based on product sales at both the sales center level and on a company-wide basis; changes in customer preferences or regulatory requirements; seasonal fluctuations in inventory levels; geographic location; and superseded products and new product offerings. We periodically adjust our reserve for inventory obsolescence as changes occur in the above-identified factors. At the end of each fiscal year, we prepare a hindsight analysis by comparing the prior year-end obsolescence reserve balance to (i) current year inventory write-offs and (ii) the value of products with no sales for the past 12 months that remain in inventory. Based on our hindsight analysis, we concluded that our prior year reserve was within a range of acceptable estimates and that our estimation methodology is appropriate. If the balance of our inventory reserve increased or decreased by 20% at December 31, 2021, pretax income would change by approximately $3.0 million and earnings per share would change by approximately $0.06 per diluted share (based on the number of weighted average diluted shares outstanding for the year ended December 31, 2021). Vendor Programs Many of our vendor arrangements provide for us to receive specified amounts of consideration when we achieve any of a number of measures. These measures generally relate to the volume level of purchases from our vendors, or our net cost of products sold, and may include negotiated pricing arrangements. We account for vendor programs as a reduction of the prices of the vendor’s products and therefore a reduction of inventory until we sell the product, at which time we recognize such consideration as a reduction of cost of sales in our income statement. 30 Throughout the year, we estimate the amount earned based on our expectation of total purchases for the fiscal year relative to the purchase levels that mark our progress toward the attainment of various levels within certain vendor programs. We accrue vendor program benefits on a monthly basis using these estimates provided that we determine they are probable and reasonably estimable. Our estimates for annual purchases, future inventory levels and sales of qualifying products are driven by our sales projections, which can be significantly impacted by a number of external factors including changes in economic conditions and weather. Changes in our purchasing mix also impact our estimates, as certain program rates can vary depending on our volume of purchases from specific vendors. We continually revise these estimates throughout the year to reflect actual purchase levels and identifiable trends. As a result, our estimated quarterly vendor program benefits accrual may include cumulative catch-up adjustments to reflect any changes in our estimates between reporting periods. These adjustments tend to have a greater impact on gross margin in the fourth quarter since it is our seasonally slowest quarter and because the majority of our vendor arrangements are based on calendar year periods. We update our estimates for these arrangements at year end to reflect actual annual purchase or sales levels. In the first quarter of the subsequent year, we prepare a hindsight analysis by comparing actual vendor credits received to the prior year vendor receivable balances. Based on our hindsight analysis, we concluded that our vendor program estimates were within a range of acceptable estimates and that our estimation methodology is appropriate. If market conditions were to change, vendors may change the terms of some or all of these programs. Although such changes would not affect the amounts we have recorded related to products already purchased, they may lower or raise our cost for products purchased and sold in future periods. Income Taxes We record deferred tax assets and liabilities based on differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities using currently enacted rates and laws that will be in effect when we expect the differences to reverse. Due to changing tax laws and state income tax rates, significant judgment is required to estimate the effective tax rate expected to apply to tax differences that are expected to reverse in the future. We record Global Intangible Low Tax Income (GILTI) on foreign earnings as period costs if and when incurred, although we have not realized any impacts since the December 2017 enactment of U.S. tax reform. As of December 31, 2021, U.S. income taxes were not provided on the earnings or cash balances of our foreign subsidiaries, outside of the provisions of the transition tax from U.S. tax reform. As we have historically invested or expect to invest the undistributed earnings indefinitely to fund current cash flow needs in the countries where held, additional income tax provisions may be required. Determining the amount of unrecognized deferred tax liability on these undistributed earnings and cash balances is not practicable due to the complexity of tax laws and regulations and the varying circumstances, tax treatments and timing of any future repatriation. We determined not to change our indefinite reinvestment assertion in light of U.S. tax reform. We operate in 39 states, 1 United States territory and 11 foreign countries. We are subject to regular audits by federal, state and foreign tax authorities, and the amount of income taxes we pay is subject to adjustment by the applicable tax authorities. We recognize a benefit from an uncertain tax position only after determining it is more likely than not that the tax position will withstand examination by the applicable taxing authority. Our estimate for the potential outcome of any uncertain tax issue is highly judgmental. We regularly evaluate our tax positions and incorporate these expectations into our reserve estimates. We believe we have adequately provided for any reasonably foreseeable outcome related to these matters. However, our future results may include favorable or unfavorable adjustments to our estimated tax liabilities in the period the assessments are made or resolved, or when statutes of limitation on potential assessments expire. These adjustments may include changes in valuation allowances that we have established. As a result of these uncertainties, our total income tax provision may fluctuate on a quarterly basis. Each year, we prepare a return to provision analysis upon filing our income tax returns. Based on this hindsight analysis, we concluded that our prior year income tax provision was within a range of acceptable estimates and that our provision calculation methodology is appropriate. Differences between our effective income tax rate and federal and state statutory tax rates are primarily due to changes in valuation allowances recorded for certain of our international subsidiaries with tax losses and excess tax benefits associated with the exercise of deductible nonqualified stock options and the lapse of restrictions on deductible restricted stock awards. 31 Performance-Based Compensation Accrual The Compensation Committee of our Board (Compensation Committee) and our management have designed compensation programs intended to create a performance culture. The primary objectives of our compensation programs are to attract, motivate, reward and retain our employees without leading to unnecessary risk taking. Our compensation packages include bonus plans that are specific to groups of eligible participants and their levels and areas of responsibility. The majority of our bonus plans consist of annual cash payments that are based primarily on objective performance criteria. We calculate bonuses based on the achievement of certain key measurable financial and operational results, including operating income. We use an annual cash performance award (annual bonus) to focus corporate behavior on short-term goals for growth, financial performance and other specific financial and business improvement metrics. Management sets the company’s annual bonus objectives at the beginning of the bonus plan year using both historical information and forecasted results of operations for the current plan year. Management also establishes specific business improvement objectives for both our operating units and corporate employees. The Compensation Committee approves objectives for annual bonus plans involving executive management. We also utilize our medium-term (three-year) Strategic Plan Incentive Program (SPIP) to provide senior management with an additional cash-based, pay-for-performance award based on the achievement of specified earnings growth objectives. Payouts through the SPIP are based on three-year compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) of our diluted EPS. We record annual performance-based compensation accruals based on operating income achieved in a quarter as a percentage of total expected operating income for the year. We estimate total expected operating income for the current plan year using management’s estimate of the total overall incentives earned per the stated bonus plan objectives. Starting in June, and continuing each quarter through our fiscal year end, we adjust our estimated performance-based compensation accrual based on our detailed analysis of each bonus plan, the participants’ progress toward achievement of their specific objectives and management’s estimates related to the discretionary components of the bonus plans, if any. We record SPIP accruals based on our total expected EPS for the current fiscal year and earnings growth estimates for the succeeding two years. We base our current fiscal year estimates on the same assumptions used for our annual bonus calculation and we base our forward-looking estimates on historical growth trends and our projections for the remainder of the three-year performance periods. Our quarterly performance-based compensation expense and accrual balances may vary relative to actual annual bonus expense and payouts due to the following: • • • differences between estimated and actual performance; our projections related to achievement of multiple-year performance objectives for our SPIP; and the discretionary components of the bonus plans. We generally make bonus payments at the end of February following the most recently completed fiscal year. Each year, we compare the actual bonus payouts to amounts accrued at the previous year’s end to determine the accuracy of our performance- based compensation estimates. Based on our hindsight analysis, we concluded that our performance-based compensation accrual balances were within a reasonable range of acceptable estimates and that our estimation methodologies are appropriate. Business Combinations - Goodwill and Intangible Asset Valuation In December 2021, we acquired Porpoise Pool & Patio, Inc. (“Porpoise”) for $788.7 million, net of cash acquired. Based on our preliminary purchase price allocation, we recognized tangible assets of $84.2 million, identifiable intangible assets of $301.0 million and resulting goodwill of $403.5 million. 32 We used the acquisition method of accounting for this business combination. Our financial statements reflect the operations of an acquired business starting from the closing date of the acquisition. The assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at their respective estimated fair values at the date of the acquisition. Any excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the identifiable net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. Significant judgment is often required in estimating the fair value of assets acquired, particularly intangible assets. The fair value estimates are based on available historical information and on expectations and assumptions about the future, considering the perspective of market participants. Significant assumptions include expected revenue growth rates, earnings metrics and discount rates. Unanticipated market or macroeconomic events and circumstances may occur, which could affect the underlying estimates and assumptions. We ran sensitivity analyses on the significant assumptions to evaluate our valuations and determined each to be within a range of acceptable estimates. Determining the useful lives of intangible assets also requires judgment. Our Pinch A Penny brand name is expected to have an indefinite life as it corresponds with the period of expected future cash flows of the intangible asset. We considered the competitive market position, historical results, macroeconomic environment, our operating plans and expected future use of the brand in our network expansion. Our estimates of the useful lives of definite-lived intangible assets are based on the same criteria and correspond with the expected future cash flows. The costs of definite-lived intangibles are amortized to expense over their estimated life. We review the carrying value of goodwill and non-amortizable intangible assets and conduct tests of impairment on an annual basis as described below. We also test for impairment if events or circumstances indicate it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is below its carrying amount. We test indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. Determining the fair value of a reporting unit or an indefinite-lived purchased intangible asset is judgmental in nature and involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. For additional details, see Note 3 of our “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements,” included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K. While we believe those estimates and assumptions are reasonable, they are inherently uncertain. Unanticipated market or macroeconomic events and circumstances may occur, which could affect the accuracy or validity of the estimates and assumptions. Impairment of Goodwill and Other Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets Goodwill is our largest intangible asset. At December 31, 2021, our goodwill balance was $688.4 million, representing approximately 21% of total assets. Goodwill represents the excess of the amount we paid to acquire a company over the estimated fair value of tangible assets and identifiable intangible assets acquired, less liabilities assumed. We perform a goodwill impairment test in the fourth quarter of each year or on a more frequent basis if events or changes in circumstances occur that indicate potential impairment. To the extent the carrying value of a reporting unit is greater than its estimated fair value, we record a goodwill impairment charge for the difference, up to the carrying value of the goodwill. We recognize any impairment loss in operating income. Since we define an operating segment as an individual sales center and we do not have operations below the sales center level, we define a reporting unit as an individual sales center. As of October 1, 2021, we had 247 reporting units with allocated goodwill balances. The most significant goodwill balance for a reporting unit was $12.1 million and the average goodwill balance was $1.1 million. As of December 31, 2021, our most significant goodwill balance for a reporting unit was related to our acquisition of Porpoise as discussed above. In October 2021, 2020 and 2019, we performed our annual goodwill impairment test and did not recognize any goodwill impairment at the reporting unit level. In the first quarter of 2020, we recorded impairment equal to the total goodwill and intangibles carrying amounts of our five Australian reporting units, which included goodwill impairment of $3.5 million and intangibles impairment, related to the Pool Systems tradename and trademark, of $0.9 million. To estimate the fair value of our reporting units, we project future cash flows using management’s assumptions for sales growth rates, operating margins, discount rates and earnings multiples. These estimates can significantly affect the outcome of our impairment test. We also review for potential impairment indicators at the reporting unit level based on an evaluation of recent historical operating trends, current and projected local market conditions and other relevant factors as appropriate. 33 To test the reasonableness of our fair value estimates, we compared our aggregate estimated fair values to our market capitalization as of the date of our annual impairment test. We expect that a reasonable fair value estimate would reflect a moderate acquisition premium. Our aggregate estimated fair values fell in line with our market capitalization, which we consider to be reasonable for the purpose of our goodwill impairment test. To facilitate a sensitivity analysis, we reduced our consolidated fair value estimate to reflect more conservative discounted cash flow assumptions, the sensitivity of a 50 basis point increase in our estimated weighted average cost of capital or a 50 basis point decrease in the estimated perpetuity growth rate. Our sensitivity analysis generated a fair value estimate below our market capitalization and did not result in the identification of additional at-risk locations. If our assumptions or estimates in our fair value calculations change or if operating results are less than forecasted, we could incur impairment charges in future periods. Impairment charges would decrease operating income, negatively impact diluted EPS and result in lower asset values on our balance sheet. Recent Accounting Pronouncements See Note 1 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements,” included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K for details. 34 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS The table below summarizes information derived from our Consolidated Statements of Income expressed as a percentage of net sales for the past three fiscal years: Net sales Cost of sales Gross profit Operating expenses Operating income Interest and other non-operating expenses, net Year Ended December 31, 2021 2020 2019 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 % 69.5 30.5 14.8 15.7 0.2 71.3 28.7 16.9 11.8 0.3 71.1 28.9 18.2 10.7 0.7 Income before income taxes and equity in earnings 15.6 % 11.5 % 9.9 % Note: Due to rounding, percentages may not add to operating income or income before income taxes and equity in earnings. Our discussion of consolidated operating results includes the operating results from acquisitions in 2021, 2020 and 2019. We have included the results of operations in our consolidated results since the respective acquisition dates. Fiscal Year 2021 compared to Fiscal Year 2020 The following table breaks out our consolidated results into the base business component and the excluded components (sales centers excluded from base business): (Unaudited) (in thousands) Net sales Gross profit Gross margin Operating expenses (1) Expenses as a % of net sales Operating income (loss) (1) Operating margin Base Business Year Ended December 31, Excluded Year Ended December 31, Total Year Ended December 31, 2021 $ 5,038,256 2020 $ 3,900,973 2021 $ 257,328 2020 $ 35,650 2021 $ 5,295,584 2020 $ 3,936,623 1,547,820 1,122,843 30.7 % 28.8 % 736,707 14.6 % 811,113 16.1 % 656,968 16.8 % 465,875 11.9 % 69,272 26.9 % 47,601 18.5 % 21,671 8.4 % 8,059 22.6 % 9,907 27.8 % (1,848) (5.2) % 1,617,092 1,130,902 30.5 % 28.7 % 784,308 14.8 % 832,784 15.7 % 666,875 16.9 % 464,027 11.8 % (1) Base business and total reflect a $2.5 million note recovery in 2021 and $6.9 million of impairment from goodwill and other assets recorded in 2020. 35 We have excluded the following acquisitions from base business for the periods identified: Acquired Porpoise Pool & Patio, Inc. Wingate Supply, Inc. Vak Pak Builders Supply, Inc. Pool Source, LLC Acquisition Date December 2021 December 2021 June 2021 April 2021 Net Sales Centers Acquired 1 1 1 1 TWC Distributors, Inc. December 2020 10 Jet Line Products, Inc. October 2020 Northeastern Swimming Pool Distributors, Inc. September 2020 Master Tile Network LLC February 2020 9 2 4 Periods Excluded December 2021 December 2021 June - December 2021 April - December 2021 January - December 2021 and December 2020 January - December 2021 and October - December 2020 January - November 2021 and September - November 2020 January - May 2021 and February - May 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 centers during 2021: December 31, 2020 Acquired locations New locations Closed/consolidated locations December 31, 2021 398 4 10 (2) 410 For information about our recent acquisitions, see Note 2 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements,” included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K. 36 Net Sales (in millions) Net sales Year Ended December 31, 2021 2020 Change $ 5,295.6 $ 3,936.6 $ 1,359.0 35% Net sales increased 35% compared to 2020, with 29% of this increase resulting from base business sales growth. Maintenance, refurbishment and construction activity remained strong in 2021 as households continued to create and expand home-based outdoor living spaces. Our sales were driven by robust customer demand for outdoor living products throughout the year and were aided by inflationary benefits and warmer weather trends across most of the United States. The following factors benefited our sales growth (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); • inflationary product cost increases of approximately 7% to 8% (compared to our historical average of 1% to 2%); and 6% sales growth from recent acquisitions. • We believe that sales growth rates for certain product offerings, such as equipment and building materials evidence increased spending in traditionally discretionary areas, such as pool construction, pool remodeling and equipment upgrades. In 2021, sales for equipment, such as swimming pool heaters, pumps, lights and filters, increased 35% compared to 2020, and collectively represented approximately 29% of net sales. This increase reflects both the growth of replacement activity and continued demand for higher-priced, more energy-efficient products. Sales of building materials grew 28% compared to 2020 and represented approximately 12% of net sales in 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. Sales to retail customers increased 20% compared to 2020 and represented approximately 12% of our net sales in 2021. Sales to commercial customers increased 24% in 2021, as business and leisure travel improved in 2021 following COVID-19 related closures in 2020 and demand from commercial customers began to return to normalized pre-pandemic levels. Sales to commercial customers represented approximately 3% of our net sales in 2021. 2021 Quarterly Sales Performance Compared to 2020 Quarterly Sales Performance In each quarter of 2021, sales benefited from continued elevated demand for swimming pool and outdoor living products, driven by home-centric and work-from-home trends. Households continued to invest in their backyards and outdoor living spaces, resulting in broad sales gains across many product categories and geographies. Quarter 2021 First Second Third Fourth Net Sales Growth Base Business Net Sales Growth 57% 51% 40% 32% 24% 19% 23% 22% In addition to the sales discussion above, see further details of significant weather impacts under the subheading Seasonality and Quarterly Fluctuations below. 37 Gross Profit (in millions) Gross profit Gross margin Year Ended December 31, 2021 2020 Change $ 1,617.1 $ 1,130.9 $ 486.2 43% 30.5 % 28.7 % Gross margin improved 180 basis points to 30.5% in 2021 compared to 28.7% in 2020, reflecting benefits from our actions to address inflation and manage supply chain disruptions, along with favorable impacts from incentives realized from increased purchase volumes. Operating Expenses (in millions) Year Ended December 31, 2021 2020 Change Selling and administrative expenses $ 786.8 $ 659.9 $ 126.9 19% (Recovery) impairment of goodwill and other assets Operating expenses as a percentage of net sales (2.5) 14.8 % 6.9 16.9 % (9.4) (136)% Operating expenses, including a note recovery in 2021 and impairment charges in 2020, increased 18%, or $117.4 million, to $784.3 million in 2021, up from $666.9 million in 2020. The majority of the increase in our operating expenses is due to higher compensation costs as we reward our employees through performance-based compensation and increase wages to support stronger demand. Other incremental operating expense increases relate to increases in growth-driven facility and freight costs, in addition to investments in technology. In the first quarter of 2020, we recorded impairment charges of $6.9 million, which included $2.5 million from a note and a goodwill and intangibles impairment charge of $4.4 million. In 2021, we recovered the $2.5 million from the previously impaired note. Operating expenses as a percentage of net sales declined 210 basis points, contributing to the 390 basis point expansion in our operating margin for the year driven by a combination of higher year-over-year sales and improved operating leverage as we utilize our existing network to manage incremental costs for new sales center openings and acquisitions. Interest and Other Non-operating Expenses, net Interest and other non-operating expenses, net decreased $3.7 million compared to 2020, primarily due to the impact of foreign currency losses, with a loss of $0.3 million recognized in 2021 compared to a loss of $1.7 million recognized in 2020, in addition to interest income from a note of $1.5 million in 2021. Interest expense related to borrowings increased approximately $1.2 million, primarily due to higher average interest rates between periods. Our weighted average effective interest rate increased to 2.5% in 2021 from 2.1% in 2020 on consistent average outstanding debt balances. Income Taxes Our effective income tax rate was 21.1% at December 31, 2021 and 18.9% at December 31, 2020. We recorded a $30.0 million, or $0.74 per diluted share, benefit from ASU 2016-09 for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to a benefit of $28.6 million, or $0.70 per diluted share, realized in the same period in 2020. Without the benefits from ASU 2016-09, our effective tax rate was 24.7% and 25.2% for the years ended 2021 and 2020, respectively. Net Income and Earnings Per Share Net income increased 77% to $650.6 million in 2021 compared to $366.7 million in 2020. Earnings per share increased 78% to $15.97 per diluted share compared to $8.97 per diluted share in 2020. 38 Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures The non-GAAP measures described below should be considered in the context of all of our other disclosures in this Form 10-K. 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 year-over-year operating performance. Adjusted net income and adjusted diluted EPS are key measures used by management to eliminate 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. 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) (in thousands) Net income (Recovery) impairment of goodwill and other assets Tax impact on note (1) Adjusted net income Year Ended December 31, 2021 2020 $ $ 650,624 $ (2,500) 630 648,754 $ 366,738 6,944 (654) 373,028 (1) Our effective tax rate at March 31, 2020 was a 0.1% benefit. Without impairment from goodwill and intangibles and tax benefits from ASU 2016-09 recorded in the first quarter of 2020, our effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2020 was 25.4%, which we used to calculate the tax impact related to the $2.5 million note impairment. The table below presents a reconciliation of diluted EPS to adjusted diluted EPS. (Unaudited) Diluted EPS ASU 2016-09 tax benefit Adjusted diluted EPS without ASU 2016-09 tax benefit After-tax (recovery) impairment charges Year Ended December 31, 2021 2020 $ 15.97 $ (0.74) 15.23 (0.05) 8.97 (0.70) 8.27 0.15 Adjusted diluted EPS without ASU 2016-19 tax benefit and after-tax (recovery) impairment charges $ 15.18 $ 8.42 Fiscal Year 2020 compared to Fiscal Year 2019 For a detailed discussion of the Results of Operations in Fiscal Year 2020 compared to Fiscal Year 2019, see the Results of Operations section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis included in Part II, Item 7 of our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K. 39 Seasonality and Quarterly Fluctuations For discussion regarding the effects seasonality and weather have on our business, see Item 1, “Business,” of this Form 10-K. The following table presents certain unaudited quarterly data for 2021 and 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, the results of any one or more quarters are not necessarily a good indication of results for an entire fiscal year or of continuing trends. (Unaudited) (in thousands) Statement of Income Data Net sales Gross profit Operating income Net income Net sales as a % of annual net sales Gross profit as a % of annual gross profit Operating income as a % of annual operating income Balance Sheet Data 2021 2020 QUARTER First Second Third Fourth First Second Third Fourth $ 1,060,745 $ 1,787,833 $ 1,411,448 $ 1,035,557 $ 677,288 $ 1,280,846 $ 1,139,229 $ 839,261 301,131 129,031 98,655 551,685 338,586 259,695 441,899 237,276 184,665 322,376 127,891 107,609 189,629 35,588 30,912 373,481 205,857 157,555 328,698 148,233 119,098 239,095 74,351 59,174 20 % 34 % 27 % 20 % 19 % 34 % 27 % 20 % 17 % 17 % 33 % 33 % 29 % 29 % 21 % 21 % 15 % 41 % 28 % 15 % 8 % 44 % 32 % 16 % Total receivables, net $ 487,602 $ 585,566 $ 476,150 $ 376,571 $ 345,915 $ 453,405 $ 366,412 $ 289,200 Product inventories, net Accounts payable Total debt 977,228 634,998 433,171 894,654 1,043,407 1,339,100 439,453 423,116 414,156 398,697 362,819 1,183,350 858,190 517,620 586,050 628,418 346,272 438,804 612,824 268,412 339,934 780,989 266,753 416,018 Note: Due to rounding, the sum of quarterly percentage amounts may not equal 100%. 40 Weather Impacts on Fiscal Year 2021 to Fiscal Year 2020 Comparisons Sales in the first quarter of 2021 benefited from 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, 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. 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. Generally favorable 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. In the fourth quarter of 2021, sales benefited from above-average temperatures throughout much of the contiguous United States, particularly in the month of December, which was the fifth warmest on record in a 127-year period. Precipitation levels varied, with the southern states experiencing levels much below average and the northern states seeing above-average levels. Similarly, sales in the fourth quarter of 2020 benefited from above-average temperatures and below-average precipitation. Weather Impacts on Fiscal Year 2020 to Fiscal Year 2019 Comparisons For a detailed discussion of Weather Impacts on Fiscal Year 2020 compared to Fiscal Year 2019, see the Seasonality and Quarterly Fluctuations section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis included in Part II, Item 7 of our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Geographic Areas Since all of our sales centers have similar operations and share similar economic characteristics, we aggregate our sales centers into a single reportable segment. For additional details, see Note 1 of our “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements,” included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K. For a breakdown of net sales and property, plant and equipment between our United States and international operations, see Item 1, “Business,” of this Form 10-K. 41 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; 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. Our capital spending primarily relates to leasehold improvements, delivery and service vehicles and information technology. We focus our capital expenditure plans on the needs of our sales centers. 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. Although our capital spending increased by $16.0 million in 2021, capital expenditures as a percentage of net sales were lower than our historical average of 1.0% of net sales due to our significant sales growth. Capital expenditures in 2020 were lower than our historical average due to cost-saving measures implemented at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on management’s current plans, we project capital expenditures for 2022 will continue to approximate the historical average of 1% of net sales. We also plan to increase our investment in technology and automation enabling us to operate more efficiently. We have initiated a multiyear project to transform our legacy enterprise systems and capabilities to improve customer and team member experiences. 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 have the ability to finance any such transactions. As of February 18, 2022, $482.4 million of the current Board authorized amount under our authorized share repurchase plan remained available. We expect to repurchase additional shares in 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. 42 Sources and Uses of Cash The following table summarizes our cash flows (in thousands): Operating activities Investing activities Financing activities Year Ended December 31, $ 2021 313,490 (849,614) 526,131 $ 2020 397,581 (146,289) (244,371) Cash provided by operations of $313.5 million for 2021 decreased $84.1 million compared to 2020. The decrease in cash provided by operations is driven by an incremental cash outflow of $371.3 million stemming from changes to our net working capital, primarily reflecting an increase in inventory, partially offset by increases in accounts payable and net income. Cash used in investing activities increased $703.3 million in 2021 due to an increase of $687.4 million in payments for acquisitions compared to 2020 and a $16.0 million increase in net capital expenditures between years. Cash provided by financing activities increased $770.5 million to $526.1 million in 2021, compared to cash used in financing activities of $244.4 million in 2020. The increase in cash provided by financing activities primarily reflects a $865.3 million increase in net debt proceeds, offset by additional share repurchases of $61.8 million and an increase in dividends paid of $27.7 million. For a discussion of our sources and uses of cash in 2019, see the Liquidity and Capital Resources – Sources and Uses of Cash section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis included in Part II, Item 7 of our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Future Sources and Uses of Cash To supplement cash from operations as our primary source of working capital, we will continue to utilize our three major credit facilities, which are the Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Facility (the Credit Facility), the Term Facility (the Term Facility) and the Receivables Securitization Facility (the Receivables Facility). For additional details regarding these facilities, see the summary descriptions below and more complete descriptions in Note 5 of our “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements,” included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K. Credit Facility Our Credit Facility, as amended through December 30, 2021, provides for $1.25 billion in borrowing capacity consisting of a $750.0 million five-year unsecured revolving credit facility and a $500.0 million term loan facility, which includes a $250.0 million delayed-draw term loan facility and an additional $250.0 million incremental term loan facility. We drew the $250.0 million delayed-draw term loan on December 15, 2021 and used the proceeds to fund our acquisition of Porpoise Pool & Patio, Inc. Subsequent to December 31, 2021, we drew the $250.0 million incremental term loan on January 4, 2022 and used the same amount to reduce our revolving borrowings. The term loans 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. The credit facility continues to include a $750.0 million revolving credit facility and sublimits for the issuance of swingline loans and standby letters of credit. We intend to continue to use the Credit Facility for general corporate purposes, for future share repurchases and to fund future growth initiatives. At December 31, 2021, there was $822.9 million outstanding, a $4.8 million standby letter of credit outstanding and $422.3 million available for borrowing under the Credit Facility. The weighted average effective interest rate for the Credit Facility as of December 31, 2021 was approximately 1.2%, excluding commitment fees. 43 Term Facility Our 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 installments of 1.250% of the Term 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 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 payments will be equal to 33.75% of the Term Facility with the final principal 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 December 31, 2021, the Term Facility had an outstanding balance of $166.5 million at a weighted average effective interest rate of 2.9%. Financial Covenants Financial covenants of the Credit Facility and the Term 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 December 31, 2021, 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 December 31, 2021, our average total leverage ratio equaled 0.77 (compared to 0.86 as of December 31, 2020) and the TTM average total indebtedness amount used in this calculation was $680.3 million. • 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 December 31, 2021, our fixed charge ratio equaled 11.76 (compared to 7.81 as of December 31, 2020) and TTM Rental Expense was $80.8 million. 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 the Credit Facility and the Term Facility could result in higher interest rates on our borrowings or the acceleration of the maturities of our outstanding debt. Receivables Securitization Facility Our two-year accounts receivable securitization facility (the Receivables Facility) offers us a lower-cost form of financing. Under this facility, we can borrow up to $350.0 million between April through June and from $175.0 million to $315.0 million during the remaining months of the year. The Receivables Facility matures on November 1, 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. 44 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. 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. At December 31, 2021, there was $185.0 million outstanding under the Receivables Facility at a weighted average effective interest rate of 0.9%, excluding commitment fees. 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 December 31, 2021, we had three interest rate swap contracts in place and two forward-starting interest rate swap contracts, each of which has the effect of converting our exposure to variable interest rates on our variable rate borrowings to fixed interest rates. For more information, see Note 5 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K. Compliance and Future Availability As of December 31, 2021, we were in compliance with all 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 covenants and financial ratio requirements throughout 2022. For additional information regarding our debt arrangements, see Note 5 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements,” included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K. Future Obligations We have certain fixed contractual obligations and commitments that include future estimated payments for general operating purposes. Changes in our business needs, fluctuating interest rates and other factors may result in actual payments differing from our estimates. We cannot provide certainty regarding the timing and amounts of these payments. The following table summarizes our obligations as of December 31, 2021 that are expected to impact liquidity and cash flow in future periods. We believe we will be able to fund these obligations through our existing cash, cash expected to be generated from operations and borrowings on our facilities. Long-term debt Operating leases Purchase obligations Total $ 1,186,198 257,753 57,150 $ 1,501,101 Less than 1 year $ $ 21,022 64,337 43,068 128,427 Payments Due by Period 1-3 years 3-5 years More than 5 years $ $ 222,250 102,843 11,039 336,132 $ 942,926 57,603 3,043 $ 1,003,572 $ $ — 32,970 — 32,970 The significant assumptions used in our determination of amounts presented in the above table are as follows: • • • Long-term debt amounts represent the future principal payments on our debt as of December 31, 2021. For additional information regarding our debt arrangements, see Note 5 of our “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements,” included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K. Operating lease amounts include future rental payments for our operating leases. The amounts presented are consistent with contractual terms and are not expected to differ significantly from actual results under our existing leases. For additional information regarding our operating leases, see Note 9 of our “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements,” included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K. Purchase obligations include all legally binding contracts such as firm minimum commitments for inventory purchases and software commitments. We issue inventory purchase orders in the normal course of business, which represent authorizations to purchase that are cancellable by their terms. We do not consider purchase orders to be firm inventory commitments; therefore, they are excluded from the table above. 45 For certain of our future obligations, such as unrecognized tax benefits, uncertainties exist regarding the timing of future payments and the amount by which these potential obligations will increase or decrease over time. As such, we have excluded unrecognized tax benefits from the table above. See Note 7 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements,” included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K for additional discussion related to our unrecognized tax benefits. The table also excludes various other liabilities that are not contractual in nature, including contingent liabilities, litigation accruals, and contract termination fees. The table below contains estimated interest payments (in thousands) related to our long-term debt obligations presented in the table above. We calculated estimates of future interest payments based on the December 31, 2021 outstanding debt balances, using the fixed rates under our interest rate swap agreements for the applicable notional amounts and the weighted average effective interest rates as of December 31, 2021 for the remaining outstanding balances not covered by our swap contracts. To project the estimated interest expense to coincide with the time periods used in the table above, we projected the estimated debt balances for future years based on the scheduled maturity dates of the Credit Facility, the Term Facility and the Receivables Facility. Our actual interest payments could vary substantially from the amounts projected. Estimated Interest Payments Due by Period Total Less than 1 year 1-3 years 3-5 years More than 5 years Interest $ 66,731 $ 16,153 $ 27,419 $ 22,771 $ 388 Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk We are exposed to market risks, including interest rate risk and foreign currency risk. The adverse effects of potential changes in these market risks are discussed below. The following discussion does not consider the effects of the reduced level of overall economic activity that could exist following such changes. Further, in the event of changes of such magnitude, we would likely take actions to mitigate our exposure to such changes. Interest Rate Risk Our earnings are exposed to changes in short-term interest rates because of the variable interest rates on our debt. However, we have entered into interest rate swap contracts to reduce our exposure to market fluctuations. For information about our debt arrangements and interest rate swaps, see Note 5 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements,” included in Item 8 of this Form 10‑K. In 2021, there was no interest rate risk related to the notional amounts under our interest rate swap contracts. The portions of our outstanding balances under the Credit Facility, Term Facility and the Receivables Facility that were not covered by our interest rate swap contracts were subject to variable interest rates. To calculate the potential impact in 2021 related to interest rate risk, we performed a sensitivity analysis assuming that we borrowed the monthly maximum available amount under the Credit Facility and the maximum amount available under the Receivables Facility. Our Term Facility, entered into on December 30, 2019, was fully drawn as of that date. In this analysis, we assumed that the variable interest rates for the Credit Facility and the Receivables Facility increased by 1.0%. Based on this calculation, our pretax income would have decreased by approximately $12.2 million and earnings per share would have decreased by approximately $0.22 per diluted share (based on the number of weighted average diluted shares outstanding for the year ended December 31, 2021). The maximum amount available under the Credit Facility is $1.25 billion and the maximum amount available under the Receivables Facility is $350.0 million. 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. 46 Currency Risk Changes in the exchange rates for the functional currencies of our international subsidiaries, as shown in the table below, may positively or negatively impact our sales, operating expenses and earnings. Historically, we have not hedged our currency exposure and fluctuations in exchange rates have not materially affected our operating results. While our international operations, including Canada and Mexico, accounted for only 10% of total net sales in 2021, our exposure to currency rate fluctuations could be material in 2022 and future years to the extent that either currency rate changes are significant or that our international operations comprise a larger percentage of our consolidated results. Functional Currencies Canada United Kingdom Belgium Croatia France Germany Italy Portugal Spain Mexico Australia Canadian Dollar British Pound Euro Kuna Euro Euro Euro Euro Euro Mexican Peso Australian Dollar 47 Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Page Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID: 42) 49 Consolidated Statements of Income Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income Consolidated Balance Sheets Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 52 53 54 55 56 57 48 Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of Pool Corporation Opinion on the Financial Statements We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Pool Corporation (the Company) as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework), and our report dated February 25, 2022 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon. Basis for Opinion These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. Critical Audit Matters The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate. 49 Valuation of Goodwill Description of the Matter At December 31, 2021, the Company’s goodwill was $688.4 million. As discussed in Note 3 of the consolidated financial statements, goodwill is tested for impairment at least annually at the reporting unit level. The Company’s goodwill is assigned to reporting units as of the acquisition date. How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit Description of the Matter Auditing management’s annual goodwill impairment test was complex and highly judgmental due to the estimation required to determine the fair value of the reporting units. In particular, the fair value estimate is sensitive to certain assumptions, such as changes in the weighted average cost of capital, revenue growth rate, operating margin, and terminal growth rate which are affected by expectations about future market or economic conditions. We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design, and tested the operating effectiveness of controls over the Company’s goodwill impairment review process, including controls over management’s review of the significant assumptions described above. To test the estimated fair value of the Company’s reporting units, we performed audit procedures that included, among others, assessing methodologies and testing the significant assumptions discussed above and the underlying data used by the Company in its analysis. We compared the significant assumptions used by management to current industry and economic trends and other relevant factors, such as historical results. We assessed the historical accuracy of management’s estimates and performed sensitivity analyses of significant assumptions to evaluate the changes in the fair value of the reporting units that would result from changes in the assumptions. We also involved a specialist to assist in our evaluation of the valuation methodology applied by the Company and the significant assumptions used in estimating the fair value of the Company. In addition, we reviewed the allocation of the Company’s fair value to its reporting units and the comparison of the Company’s fair value to its market capitalization. Valuation of Intangible Assets Resulting from the Acquisition of Porpoise Pool & Patio As discussed in Note 2 of the consolidated financial statements, the Company completed its acquisition of Porpoise Pool & Patio, Inc. (Porpoise) on December 16, 2021, for a total purchase price of approximately $788.7 million, net of cash acquired. The Company accounted for this transaction under the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations. Accordingly, the purchase price was allocated, on a preliminary basis, to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their respective fair values, including identified intangible assets of $301.0 million and resulting goodwill of $403.5 million. Auditing the Company’s accounting for the acquisition of Porpoise was complex due to the significant estimation required by management in determining the fair value of identified intangible assets, both definite and indefinite-lived, which primarily consisted of $109.0 million of customer relationships and $169.0 million of a brand name. The significant estimation was primarily due to the judgmental nature of the inputs to the valuation models used to measure the fair value of these intangible assets, as well as the sensitivity of the respective fair values to the underlying significant assumptions. The Company used the relief from royalty method to measure the fair value of the brand name and an excess earnings method to measure the fair value of the customer relationships. The significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value of the intangible assets included revenue growth rates, earnings metrics, and discount rates. These significant assumptions are forward- looking and could be affected by future economic and market conditions. 50 How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit We obtained an understanding of the Company’s process to account for acquisitions, including management’s process to develop the valuation models and assumptions underlying the recognition and valuation of the identified intangible assets. To test the estimated fair value of the identified intangible assets, our audit procedures included, among others, involvement of a specialist to assist us in the evaluation of the Company’s valuation methodology and testing of the significant assumptions. For example, we compared the revenue growth rates to historical results and certain peer companies. Additionally, we tested the completeness and accuracy of the underlying data supporting the significant assumptions and estimates. /s/ Ernst & Young LLP We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1994. New Orleans, Louisiana February 25, 2022 51 POOL CORPORATION Consolidated Statements of Income (In thousands, except per share data) Net sales Cost of sales Gross profit Selling and administrative expenses (Recovery) impairment of goodwill and other assets Operating income Interest and other non-operating expenses, net Income before income taxes and equity in earnings Provision for income taxes Equity in earnings in unconsolidated investments, net Net income Earnings per share attributable to common stockholders: Basic Diluted Weighted average common shares outstanding: Basic Diluted Year Ended December 31, 2020 $ 3,936,623 2,805,721 1,130,902 659,931 6,944 464,027 12,353 451,674 85,231 295 $ 366,738 2021 $ 5,295,584 3,678,492 1,617,092 786,808 (2,500) 832,784 8,639 824,145 173,812 291 $ 650,624 2019 $ 3,199,517 2,274,592 924,925 583,679 — 341,246 23,772 317,474 56,161 262 $ 261,575 $ $ 16.21 15.97 $ $ 9.14 8.97 $ $ 6.57 6.40 39,876 40,480 40,106 40,865 39,833 40,865 Cash dividends declared per common share $ 2.98 $ 2.29 $ 2.10 The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements. 52 POOL CORPORATION Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (In thousands) Net income Other comprehensive income (loss): Foreign currency translation adjustments Change in unrealized gains (losses) on interest rate swaps, net of the change in taxes of $(3,733), $2,957 and $552 Total other comprehensive income (loss) Comprehensive income Year Ended December 31, 2020 $ 366,738 2021 $ 650,624 2019 $ 261,575 (4,663) 5,210 2,295 11,198 6,535 $ 657,159 (8,870) (3,660) $ 363,078 (1,657) 638 $ 262,213 The accompanying Notes are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements. 53 POOL CORPORATION Consolidated Balance Sheets (In thousands, except share data) December 31, 2021 2020 Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents Receivables, net Receivables pledged under receivables facility Product inventories, net Prepaid expenses and other current assets Total current assets Property and equipment, net Goodwill Other intangible assets, net Equity interest investments Operating lease assets Other assets Total assets Liabilities and stockholders’ equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable Accrued expenses and other current liabilities Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt Current operating lease liabilities Total current liabilities Deferred income taxes Long-term debt, net Other long-term liabilities Non-current operating lease liabilities Total liabilities Stockholders’ equity: Common stock, $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 40,192,901 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2021 and 40,232,210 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2020 Additional paid-in capital Retained earnings Accumulated other comprehensive loss Total stockholders’ equity Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ $ $ $ $ $ 24,321 155,259 221,312 1,339,100 29,093 1,769,085 179,008 688,364 312,814 1,231 241,662 37,967 3,230,131 398,697 264,877 11,772 69,070 744,416 35,840 1,171,578 31,545 175,359 2,158,738 40 551,963 526,874 (7,484) 1,071,393 3,230,131 $ $ 34,128 122,252 166,948 780,989 17,610 1,121,927 108,241 268,167 12,181 1,292 205,875 21,987 1,739,670 266,753 143,694 11,869 60,933 483,249 27,653 404,149 38,261 146,888 1,100,200 40 519,579 133,870 (14,019) 639,470 1,739,670 The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements. 54 POOL CORPORATION Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (In thousands) Operating activities Net income Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation Amortization Share-based compensation Provision for doubtful accounts receivable, net of write-offs Provision for inventory obsolescence, net of write-offs Provision (benefit) for deferred income taxes (Gains) losses on sales of property and equipment Equity in earnings in unconsolidated investments, net Net losses on foreign currency transactions Impairment of goodwill and other assets Other Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions: Receivables Product inventories Prepaid expenses and other assets Accounts payable Accrued expenses and other current liabilities Net cash provided by operating activities Investing activities Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired Purchases of property and equipment, net of sale proceeds Net cash used in investing activities Financing activities Proceeds from revolving line of credit Payments on revolving line of credit Proceeds from term loan under credit facility Proceeds from asset-backed financing Payments on asset-backed financing Proceeds from term facility Payments on term facility Proceeds from short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt Payments on short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt Payments of deferred financing costs Payments on deferred and contingent acquisition consideration Proceeds from stock issued under share-based compensation plans Payments of cash dividends Purchases of treasury stock Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents Change in cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year Cash and cash equivalents at end of year Year Ended December 31, 2020 2019 2021 $ 650,624 $ 366,738 $ 261,575 28,287 1,739 15,187 1,134 3,798 4,650 (93) (291) 325 — 473 (79,940) (525,207) (51,199) 114,893 149,110 313,490 (811,956) (37,658) (849,614) 1,438,408 (974,506) 250,000 495,000 (430,000) — (9,250) 9,279 (9,377) (2,638) (362) 17,197 (119,581) (138,039) 526,131 186 (9,807) 34,128 24,321 $ 27,967 1,431 14,516 (664) 2,362 (2,542) 38 (295) 1,748 6,944 410 (38,688) (42,447) (13,744) (9,212) 83,019 397,581 (124,587) (21,702) (146,289) 27,885 1,389 13,472 (710) 1,310 3,723 (85) (262) 1,347 — 3,313 (15,691) (14,165) (4,218) 16,860 3,033 298,776 (8,901) (33,362) (42,263) 1,053,968 (1,145,616) — 326,700 (321,700) — (9,250) 13,822 (13,698) (12) (281) 19,824 (91,929) (76,199) (244,371) (1,376) 5,545 28,583 34,128 1,066,529 (1,415,988) — 189,000 (182,500) 185,000 — 30,863 (28,286) (406) (312) 18,574 (83,772) (23,188) (244,486) 198 12,225 16,358 28,583 $ $ The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements. 55 POOL CORPORATION Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (In thousands) Common Stock Additional Paid-In Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Shares Amount Capital (Deficit) Loss Total Balance at December 31, 2018 39,506 $ 40 $ 453,193 $ (218,646) $ (10,997) $ 223,590 Net income Foreign currency translation Interest rate swaps, net of the change in taxes of $552 Repurchases of common stock, net of retirements Share-based compensation Adoption of ASU 2016-02 Issuance of stock under share-based compensation plans Declaration of cash dividends Balance at December 31, 2019 Net income Foreign currency translation Interest rate swaps, net of the change in taxes of $2,957 Repurchases of common stock, net of retirements Share-based compensation Issuance of stock under share-based compensation plans Declaration of cash dividends — — — (155) — — 723 — 40,074 — — — (401) — 559 — Balance at December 31, 2020 40,232 Net income Foreign currency translation Interest rate swaps, net of the change in taxes of $(3,733) Repurchases of common stock, net of retirements Share-based compensation Issuance of stock under share-based compensation plans — — — (360) — 321 — — — — — — — — 40 — — — — — — — 40 — — — — — — — — — — 13,472 — 18,574 — 485,239 — — — — 14,516 19,824 261,575 — — (23,188) — (709) — (83,772) (64,740) 366,738 — — (76,199) — — — (91,929) 519,579 — — — — 15,187 17,197 133,870 650,624 — — (138,039) — — — 2,295 261,575 2,295 (1,657) (1,657) — — — — — (10,359) — 5,210 (23,188) 13,472 (709) 18,574 (83,772) 410,180 366,738 5,210 (8,870) (8,870) — — — — (14,019) — (76,199) 14,516 19,824 (91,929) 639,470 650,624 (4,663) (4,663) 11,198 11,198 — — — (138,039) 15,187 17,197 Declaration of cash dividends Balance at December 31, 2021 — 40,193 $ (119,581) — 40 $ 551,963 $ 526,874 $ — — (7,484) $ (119,581) 1,071,393 The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements. 56 POOL CORPORATION Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Note 1 - Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Description of Business As of December 31, 2021, Pool Corporation and our subsidiaries (the Company, which may be referred to as we, us or our) operated 410 sales centers in North America, Europe and Australia from which we sell swimming pool supplies, equipment and related leisure products, irrigation and landscape products and hardscape, tile and stone products to pool builders, retail stores, service companies, landscape contractors and others. We distribute products through five networks: SCP Distributors (SCP), Superior Pool Products (Superior), Horizon Distributors (Horizon), National Pool Tile (NPT) and Sun Wholesale Supply (Sun Wholesale). Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation We prepared the Consolidated Financial Statements following U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The financial statements include all normal and recurring adjustments that are necessary for a fair presentation of our financial position and operating results. The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Pool Corporation and our subsidiaries. All of our subsidiaries are wholly owned. All significant intercompany accounts and intercompany transactions have been eliminated. Use of Estimates To prepare financial statements that conform to GAAP, we make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in our financial statements and accompanying notes. Our most significant estimates relate to the allowance for doubtful accounts, inventory obsolescence reserves, vendor programs, income taxes, performance-based compensation accruals, goodwill impairment evaluations and the valuation of intangible assets from our recent acquisition of Porpoise Pool & Patio, Inc. We continually review our estimates and make adjustments as necessary, but actual results could be significantly different from what we expected when we made these estimates. 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. On January 1, 2020, we adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, and all related amendments, which are codified into Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 326, using the cumulative-effect transition method related to our trade receivables. This new standard changes the way companies evaluate credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments. For trade and other receivables, held-to-maturity debt securities, loans and other instruments, entities are required to use a new forward- looking “expected loss” model to evaluate impairment, potentially resulting in earlier recognition of allowances for losses. The new standard also requires enhanced disclosures, including the requirement to disclose the information used to track credit quality by year of origination for most financing receivables. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations, and we do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material effect on our results of operations in future periods. As the impact from adoption was not material, we did not recognize an adjustment to the beginning balance of retained earnings. 57 We adopted ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, for our interim impairment tests performed in the period ended March 31, 2020. This new standard eliminated the requirement to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill to measure a goodwill impairment charge (commonly referred to as Step 2 under the previous guidance). Rather, the measurement of a goodwill impairment charge is based on the excess of a reporting unit’s carrying value over its fair value (Step 1 under the previous guidance). The impact of the new standard is dependent on the specific facts and circumstances of individual impairments, if any. The adoption of this guidance did not impact our results of operations, statement of financial position or cash flows. On January 1, 2020, we adopted ASU 2018-15, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract, on a prospective basis. This new standard aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license. The adoption of this guidance did not materially impact our results of operations, statement of financial position or cash flows. Segment Reporting Since all of our sales centers have similar operations and share similar economic characteristics, we aggregate our sales centers into a single reportable segment. These similarities include (i) the nature of our products and services, (ii) the types of customers we sell to and (iii) the distribution methods we use. Our chief operating decision maker (CODM) evaluates each sales center based on individual performance that includes both financial and operational measures. These measures include operating income growth and accounts receivable and inventory management criteria. Each sales center manager and eligible field employee earns performance-based compensation based on these measures developed at the sales center level. A bottom-up approach is used to develop the operating budget for each individual sales center. The CODM approves the budget and routinely monitors budget to actual results for each sales center. Additionally, our CODM makes resource allocation decisions primarily on a sales center-by-sales center basis. No single sales center meets any of the quantitative thresholds (10% of revenues, profit or assets) for separately reporting information about an operating segment. We do not track sales by product lines and product categories on a consolidated basis. We lack readily available financial information due to the number of our product lines and product categories and the fact that we make ongoing changes to product classifications within these groups, thus making it impracticable to report our sales by product category. Seasonality and Weather Our business is seasonal and weather is one of the principal external factors affecting our business. In general, sales and net income are highest during the second and third quarters, which represent the peak months of swimming pool use, pool and irrigation installation and remodeling and repair activities. Sales are lower during the first and fourth quarters. Revenue Recognition We recognize a sale when a customer obtains control of the product, and we record the amount that reflects the consideration we expect to receive in exchange for such product. We recognize a sale when a customer picks up product at any sales center, when we deliver product to their premises or job sites via our trucks or when we present the product to a third-party carrier. For bill and hold sales, we determine when the customer obtains control of the product on a case-by-case basis to determine the amount of revenue to recognize each period. We consider our distribution of products to represent one reportable revenue stream. Our products are similar in nature, and our revenue recognition policy is the same across our distribution networks. Our customers share similar characteristics and purchase products across all categories. We recognize revenue when our customers take control of our products. We include shipping and handling fees billed to customers as freight out income within net sales. 58 We measure revenue as the amount of consideration we expect to receive in exchange for transferring our products. Consideration may vary due to volume incentives and expected customer returns. We offer volume incentives to some of our customers and account for these incentives as a reduction of sales. We estimate the amount of volume incentives earned based on our estimate of cumulative sales for the fiscal year relative to our customers’ progress toward achieving minimum purchase requirements. We record customer returns, including those associated with customer early buy programs, as a reduction of sales. Based on available information related to our customers’ returns, we record an allowance for estimated returns, which historically has not been material. We regularly review our marketing programs, coupons and customary business practices to determine if any variable consideration exists under ASC 606. Other items that we record as reductions to sales include cash discounts, pricing adjustments and credit card fees related to customer payments. The majority of our sales transactions do not contain additional performance obligations after delivery; therefore, we do not have multiple performance obligations for which to allocate the transaction price. We recognize shipping and handling costs associated with outbound freight in selling and administrative expenses. We report sales net of tax amounts that we collect from our customers and remit to governmental authorities. These tax amounts may include, but are not limited to, sales, use, value-added and some excise taxes. Vendor Programs Many of our arrangements with our vendors provide for us to receive specified amounts of consideration when we achieve any of a number of measures. These measures are generally related to the volume level of purchases from our vendors, or our net cost of products sold, and may include negotiated pricing arrangements. We account for vendor programs as a reduction of the prices of the vendors’ products and as a reduction of inventory until we sell the products, at which time such considerations are recognized as a reduction of Cost of sales on our Consolidated Statements of Income. Throughout the year, we estimate the amount earned based on our expectation of total purchases for the fiscal year relative to the purchase levels that mark our progress toward earning each program. We accrue vendor benefits on a monthly basis using these estimates, provided that we determine they are probable and reasonably estimable. We continually revise these estimates to reflect actual credits earned based on actual purchase levels and trends related to sales and purchasing mix. When we make adjustments to our estimates, we determine whether any portion of the adjustment impacts the amount of vendor credits that are deferred in inventory. We recognize changes in our estimates as a cumulative catch-up adjustment to the amounts recognized to date in our Consolidated Financial Statements. Shipping and Handling Costs We record shipping and handling costs associated with inbound freight as cost of sales. The table below presents shipping and handling costs associated with outbound freight, which we include in selling and administrative expenses (in thousands): 2021 2020 2019 $ 75,411 $ 59,224 $ 51,580 Share-Based Compensation We record share-based compensation for stock options and other share-based awards based on the estimated fair value as measured on the grant date. For stock option awards, we use a Black-Scholes model for estimating the grant date fair value. For additional discussion of share-based compensation, see Note 6. Advertising Costs We expense advertising costs when incurred. The table below presents advertising expense for the past three years (in thousands): 2021 2020 2019 $ 9,409 $ 6,755 $ 7,842 59 Income 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 in the income statement in the period in which stock options are exercised or restrictions on stock awards lapse. We record Global Intangible Low Tax Income (GILTI) on foreign earnings as period costs if and when incurred, although we have not realized any impacts since the December 2017 enactment of U.S. tax reform. For additional information regarding income taxes, see Note 7. Equity Method Investments We account for our 50% investment in Northpark Corporate Center, LLC (NCC) using the equity method of accounting. Accordingly, we report our share of income or loss based on our ownership interest in this investment. Earnings Per Share We calculate basic and diluted earnings per share using 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 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. Diluted EPS reflects 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. For additional discussion of earnings per share, see Note 8. Foreign Currency The functional currency of each of our foreign subsidiaries is its applicable local currency. We translate our foreign subsidiary financial statements into U.S. dollars based on published exchange rates. We include these translation adjustments as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. We include realized transaction gains and losses that arise from exchange rate fluctuations in Interest and other non-operating expenses, net on the Consolidated Statements of Income. We realized net foreign currency transaction losses of $0.3 million in 2021, $1.7 million in 2020 and $1.3 million in 2019. Our net foreign currency transaction loss in 2019 included a $0.9 million reclassification from Accumulated other comprehensive loss related to the closing of our sales center in Colombia. Fair Value Measurements 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. 60 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 December 31, 2021 2020 Level 2 Unrealized gains on interest rate swaps $ Unrealized losses on interest rate swaps $ 6,054 3,215 223 12,314 Level 3 Contingent consideration liabilities $ 985 $ 1,343 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. As of December 31, 2021, our Consolidated Balance Sheets reflect $0.4 million in Accrued expenses and other current liabilities and $0.6 million in Other long-term liabilities related to our estimates for contingent consideration payouts. For determining the fair value of our interest rate swaps 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. 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. 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). 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 are recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as a result of impairment charges or business combinations. On December 16, 2021, we acquired Porpoise Pool & Patio, Inc. for $788.7 million, net of cash acquired, subject to certain customary closing adjustments. Based on our preliminary purchase price allocation, we recognized tangible assets of $84.2 million, identifiable intangible assets of $301.0 million and resulting goodwill of $403.5 million. For additional discussion of goodwill and other intangible assets, see Note 3. In the first quarter of 2020, we recorded impairment charges of $6.9 million, which included non-cash goodwill and intangibles impairment charges of $4.4 million, equal to the total goodwill and intangibles carrying amounts of our Australian reporting units, and $2.5 million from a long-term note, as collectability was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. For additional discussion of goodwill and intangibles impairment, see Note 3. Derivatives and Hedging Activities At inception, we formally designate and document our interest rate swap contracts that qualify for hedge accounting as cash flow hedges of interest payments on variable rate borrowings. We formally assess, both at inception and at least quarterly, whether the financial instruments used in hedging transactions are effective at offsetting changes in cash flows of the related underlying exposure. 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 income (loss) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. 61 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. We recognize any differences between the variable interest rate in effect and the fixed interest rate per our swap contracts as an adjustment to interest expense over the life of the swaps. For our interest rate swap contracts currently in effect, 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 income (loss) to Interest and other non-operating expenses, net on the Consolidated Statements of Income. These amounts were not material in any period presented. For additional discussion of our interest rate swaps, see Note 5. Cash Equivalents We consider all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. Credit Risk and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts We record trade receivables at the invoiced amounts less an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses we may incur if customers do not pay. We perform periodic credit evaluations of our customers and we typically do not require collateral. Consistent with industry practices, we generally require payment from our North American customers within 30 days, except for sales under early buy programs for which we provide extended payment terms to qualified customers. Management estimates future losses based on historical bad debts, customer receivable balances, age of customer receivable balances, customers’ financial conditions and current and forecasted economic trends, including certain trends in the housing market, the availability of consumer credit and general economic conditions (as commonly measured by Gross Domestic Product or GDP). We monitor housing market trends through review of the House Price Index as published by the Federal Housing Finance Agency, which measures the movement of single-family house prices. At the end of each quarter, we perform a reserve analysis of all accounts with balances greater than $20,000 that are more than 60 days past due. During the year, we write off account balances when we have exhausted reasonable collection efforts and determined that the likelihood of collection is remote. These write-offs are charged against our allowance for doubtful accounts. The following table summarizes the changes in our allowance for doubtful accounts for the past three years (in thousands): Balance at beginning of year Bad debt expense Write-offs, net of recoveries Balance at end of year 2021 2020 2019 $ $ 4,808 3,377 (2,243) 5,942 $ $ 5,472 1,900 (2,564) 4,808 $ $ 6,182 2,768 (3,478) 5,472 62 Product Inventories and Reserve for Inventory Obsolescence Product inventories consist primarily of goods we purchase from manufacturers to sell to our customers. We record inventory at the lower of cost, using the average cost method, or net realizable value. We establish our reserve for inventory obsolescence based on inventory turns by class with particular emphasis on stock keeping units with the weakest sales over the expected sellable period, which is the previous 12 months for most products. The reserve is intended to reflect the net realizable value of inventory that we may not be able to sell at a profit. In evaluating the adequacy of our reserve for inventory obsolescence, we consider a combination of factors including: • • • • • the level of inventory in relation to historical sales by product, including inventory usage by classification based on product sales at both the sales center and on a company-wide basis; changes in customer preferences or regulatory requirements; seasonal fluctuations in inventory levels; geographic location; and superseded products and new product offerings. We periodically adjust our reserve for inventory obsolescence as changes occur in the above-identified factors. The following table summarizes the changes in our reserve for inventory obsolescence for the past three years (in thousands): 2021 2020 2019 Balance at beginning of year $ 11,398 $ Provision for inventory write-downs Deduction for inventory write-offs 7,781 (3,983) $ 9,036 6,181 (3,819) Balance at end of year $ 15,196 $ 11,398 $ 7,726 3,656 (2,346) 9,036 Property and Equipment Property and equipment are stated at cost. We depreciate property and equipment on a straight-line basis over the following estimated useful lives: Buildings Leasehold improvements (1) Autos and trucks Machinery and equipment Computer equipment Furniture and fixtures 40 years 1 - 10 years 3 - 6 years 3 - 15 years 3 - 7 years 5 - 10 years (1) For substantial improvements made near the end of a lease term where we are reasonably certain the lease will be renewed, we amortize the leasehold improvement over the remaining life of the lease including the expected renewal period. The table below presents depreciation expense for the past three years (in thousands): 2021 2020 2019 $ 28,287 $ 27,967 $ 27,885 Acquisitions We use the acquisition method of accounting and recognize assets acquired and liabilities assumed at fair value as of the acquisition date. Any contingent assets acquired and contingent liabilities assumed are also recognized at fair value if we can reasonably estimate fair value during the measurement period (which cannot exceed one year from the acquisition date). We re-measure any contingent liabilities at fair value in each subsequent reporting period. We expense all acquisition-related costs as incurred, including any restructuring costs associated with a business combination. 63 Any excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the identifiable net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. Significant judgment is often required in estimating the fair value of assets acquired, particularly intangible assets. Our fair value estimates are based on available historical information and on expectations and assumptions about the future, considering the perspective of market participants. Significant assumptions related to the acquisition of Porpoise Pool & Patio, Inc. include expected revenue growth rates, earnings metrics and discount rates. Unanticipated market or macroeconomic events and circumstances may occur, which could affect the underlying estimates and assumptions. If our initial acquisition accounting is incomplete by the end of the reporting period in which a business combination occurs, we report provisional amounts for incomplete items. Once we obtain information required to finalize the accounting for incomplete items, we adjust the provisional amounts recognized. We make adjustments to these provisional amounts during the measurement period. For all acquisitions, we include the results of operations in our Consolidated Financial Statements as of the acquisition date. For additional discussion of acquisitions, see Note 2. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Goodwill represents the excess of the amount we paid to acquire a company over the estimated fair value of tangible assets and identifiable intangible assets acquired, less liabilities assumed. We test goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually as of October 1st and at any other time when impairment indicators exist. To estimate the fair value of our reporting units, we project future cash flows using management’s assumptions for sales growth rates, operating margins, discount rates and earnings multiples. These assumptions are considered unobservable inputs (Level 3 inputs as defined in the accounting guidance). To the extent the carrying value of a reporting unit is greater than its estimated fair value, we record a goodwill impairment charge for the difference, up to the carrying value of the goodwill. We recognize any impairment loss in operating income. Since we define an operating segment as an individual sales center and we do not have operations below the sales center level, our reporting unit is an individual sales center. For additional discussion of goodwill and other intangible assets, see Note 3. Receivables Securitization Facility 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 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. For additional discussion of the Receivables Facility, see Note 5. Self-Insurance We are self-insured for employee health benefits, workers’ compensation coverage, property and casualty, and automobile insurance. To limit our exposure, we also maintain excess and aggregate liability coverage. We establish self-insurance reserves based on estimates of claims incurred but not reported and information that we obtain from third-party service providers regarding known claims. Our management reviews these reserves based on consideration of various factors, including but not limited to the age of existing claims, estimated settlement amounts and other historical claims data. 64 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss The table below presents the components of our Accumulated other comprehensive loss balance (in thousands): Foreign currency translation adjustments Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swaps, net of tax Accumulated other comprehensive loss $ $ (9,580) $ 2,096 (4,917) (9,102) (7,484) $ (14,019) December 31, 2021 2020 Retained Earnings We account for the retirement of treasury share repurchases as a decrease to our Retained earnings on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2021, the retained earnings 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 $790.4 million. Supplemental Cash Flow Information The following table presents supplemental disclosures to the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (in thousands): Year Ended December 31, 2020 2019 2021 Cash paid during the year for: Interest Income taxes, net of refunds $ 10,023 83,953 $ 8,257 81,792 $ 20,960 51,076 Recent Accounting Pronouncements Pending Adoption The following table summarizes the remaining recent accounting pronouncements that we plan to adopt in future periods: Effect on Financial Statements and Other Significant Matters We do not expect that there will be a material impact to the financial statements as a result of adopting this ASU. Effective Date The provisions of this update are only available until December 31, 2022, when the reference rate replacement activity is expected to be completed. Standard ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848), Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting Description 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. 65 Note 2 - Acquisitions 2021 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. 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. The acquisition was funded with borrowings on our Credit Facility. Porpoise’s primary operations consist of Sun Wholesale Supply, Inc., a wholesale distributor of swimming pool and outdoor- living products, adding one 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. 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 one 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 one location in Florida. In April 2021, we acquired Pool Source, LLC, a wholesale distributor of swimming pool equipment, chemicals and supplies, adding one location in Tennessee. Other than Porpoise Pool & Patio, Inc., 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. 2020 Acquisitions In February 2020, we acquired the distribution assets of Master Tile Network LLC, a wholesale distributor of swimming pool tile and hardscape products, adding two locations in Texas, one location in Nevada and one location in Oklahoma. 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 two locations in Ontario, Canada. In October 2020, we acquired Jet Line Products, Inc., a wholesale distributor of swimming pool equipment, chemicals and supplies, adding three locations in New Jersey, three locations in New York, two locations in Texas and one location in Florida. In December 2020, we acquired TWC Distributors, Inc., a wholesale distributor of irrigation and landscape maintenance products, adding nine locations in Florida and one in Georgia. We have completed our acquisition accounting for these acquisitions. 2019 Acquisitions In January 2019, we acquired the distribution assets of W.W. Adcock, Inc., a wholesale distributor of swimming pool products, equipment, parts and supplies adding two locations in Pennsylvania, one location in North Carolina and one location in Virginia. We have completed our acquisition accounting for this acquisition. 66 Note 3 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets The table below presents changes in the carrying amount of goodwill and our accumulated impairment losses (in thousands): Goodwill (gross) at December 31, 2019 $ Acquired goodwill Foreign currency translation and other adjustments Goodwill (gross) at December 31, 2020 Accumulated impairment losses at December 31, 2019 Goodwill impairment Accumulated impairment losses at December 31, 2020 198,475 82,497 584 281,556 (9,879) (3,510) (13,389) Goodwill (net) at December 31, 2020 $ 268,167 Goodwill (gross) at December 31, 2020 $ Acquired goodwill (1) Foreign currency translation and other adjustments Goodwill (gross) at December 31, 2021 Accumulated impairment losses at December 31, 2020 Goodwill impairment Accumulated impairment losses at December 31, 2021 281,556 422,126 (1,929) 701,753 (13,389) — (13,389) Goodwill (net) at December 31, 2021 $ 688,364 (1) Primarily includes the acquisition of Porpoise Pool & Patio, Inc. 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 purchase price of Porpoise was preliminarily allocated to the underlying assets acquired and liabilities assumed based upon their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. Tangible assets acquired were $84.2 million, which included $57.4 million of acquired land and buildings. As a result of the acquisition, we recognized goodwill of $403.5 million, which represents anticipated cost synergies from combined operations. Other intangible assets of $301.0 million acquired as part of our acquisition of Porpoise included the following: • • • $169.0 million for the Pinch A Penny brand name, which was determined to be indefinite-lived; $109.0 million for customer relationships and $22.0 million for franchise agreements, both of which were determined to have useful lives of 20 years; and $1.0 million for a non-compete agreement. We determined the Pinch A Penny brand name to be indefinite-lived based on our plan of continued franchise expansion using the brand name and Pinch A Penny’s well-established reputation and recognized brand name within the swimming pool industry, including their competitive market position, and history of successful performance by branded stores. The fair value of intangible assets was determined using income methodologies. We valued the acquired brand name and franchise agreements using the relief from royalty method. For customer relationships, we used the multi-period excess earnings method. Significant assumptions (Level 3 inputs) used in developing these valuations included the estimated annual net cash flows for each intangible asset, royalty rates, the discount rate that appropriately reflects the risk inherent in each future cash flow stream and the assessment of each asset’s life cycle, among other factors. We determined the assumptions used in the financial forecasts using historical data, supplemented by current and anticipated market conditions. 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. In October 2021 and October 2020, we performed our annual goodwill impairment test and did not record any goodwill impairment at the reporting unit level. As of October 1, 2021, we had 247 reporting units with allocated goodwill balances. The most significant goodwill balance for a reporting unit was $12.1 million and the average goodwill balance per reporting unit was $1.1 million. 67 In the period ended March 31, 2020, we recorded impairment equal to the total goodwill and intangibles carrying amounts of our five Australian reporting units, which included goodwill impairment of $3.5 million and intangibles impairment, related to the Pool Systems tradename and trademark, of $0.9 million. We recorded these amounts in Impairment of goodwill and other assets on our Consolidated Statements of Income. We determined certain impairment triggers had occurred due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on expected future operating cash flows, and performed interim goodwill impairment analyses, which included discounted cash flow analyses, and determined that the estimated fair values of our Australian reporting units no longer exceeded their carrying values. The determination of our reporting units’ goodwill and intangibles fair values includes numerous assumptions that are subject to various risks and uncertainties. The principal assumptions, all of which are considered Level 3 inputs, used in our cash flow analyses consisted of changes in market conditions, forecasted future operating results (including sales growth rates and operating margins) and discount rates (including our weighted-average cost of capital). Other intangible assets consisted of the following (in thousands): December 31, 2021 2020 Intangibles Gross Accumulated Amortization Intangibles Net Intangibles Gross Accumulated Amortization Intangibles Net Weighted Average Useful Life $ 8,400 $ — $ 8,400 $ 8,400 $ — $ 8,400 Indefinite 169,000 — 169,000 — — — Indefinite 1,500 (1,037) 463 1,500 (962) 538 20 8,096 (3,891) 4,205 6,917 (3,674) 3,243 4.58 109,000 (214) 108,786 22,000 (40) 21,960 — — — — — — 20 20 $ 317,996 $ (5,182) $ 312,814 $ 16,817 $ (4,636) $ 12,181 Horizon tradename Pinch A Penny brand name National Pool Tile (NPT) tradename Non- compete agreements Customer relationships Franchise agreements Total other intangibles The Horizon tradename and Pinch A Penny brand name each have an indefinite useful life and are not subject to amortization. However, we evaluate the useful life of these intangible assets and test for impairment annually. The NPT tradename, our non-compete agreements, customer relationships and franchise agreements have finite useful lives, and we amortize the estimated fair value of these agreements using the straight-line method over their respective useful lives. We have not identified any indicators of impairment related to these assets. The useful lives for our non-compete agreements are based on their contractual terms. Other intangible amortization expense was $1.3 million in 2021 and $1.0 million in both 2020 and 2019. The table below presents estimated amortization expense for other intangible assets for the next five years (in thousands): $ 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 7,854 7,802 7,426 7,335 6,932 68 Note 4 - Details of Certain Balance Sheet Accounts The table below presents additional information regarding certain balance sheet accounts (in thousands): Receivables, net: Trade accounts Vendor programs Other, net Total receivables Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts Receivables, net Prepaid expenses and other current assets: Prepaid expenses Other current assets Prepaid expenses and other current assets Property and equipment, net: Land Buildings Leasehold improvements Autos and trucks Machinery and equipment Computer equipment Furniture and fixtures Fixed assets in progress Total property and equipment Less: Accumulated depreciation Property and equipment, net Accrued expenses and other current liabilities: Salaries and payroll deductions Performance-based compensation Taxes payable Unrealized losses on interest rate swaps Other current liabilities Accrued expenses and other current liabilities December 31, 2021 2020 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 27,724 129,072 4,405 161,201 (5,942) 155,259 21,889 7,204 29,093 19,863 54,503 62,684 102,330 82,897 32,200 9,598 6,176 370,251 (191,243) 179,008 25,882 76,255 106,894 3,215 52,631 264,877 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 33,553 90,988 2,519 127,060 (4,808) 122,252 16,401 1,209 17,610 3,608 7,348 54,300 95,667 73,353 29,935 9,448 4,608 278,267 170,026) 108,241 ( 24,930 59,897 20,676 12,314 25,877 143,694 69 Note 5 - Debt The table below presents the components of our debt (in thousands): Variable rate debt Short-term borrowings Current portion of long-term debt: Australian credit facility Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt Long-term portion: Revolving credit facility Term loan under credit facility Term facility Receivables securitization facility Less: financing costs, net Long-term debt, net Total debt December 31, 2021 2020 $ 953 $ — 10,819 11,772 11,869 11,869 572,926 250,000 166,500 185,000 2,848 1,171,578 $ 1,183,350 109,024 — 175,750 120,000 625 404,149 416,018 $ Credit Facility On December 30, 2021, we entered into the First Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement Credit Agreement, which increased the total borrowing capacity of our Credit Facility to $1.25 billion from $1.0 billion through the addition of an incremental delayed-draw term loan facility of $250.0 million. Subsequent to December 31, 2021, we drew the $250.0 million incremental term loan amount on January 4, 2022 and used the same amount to reduce our revolving borrowings. At that time, $413.4 million remained available for borrowing under the Credit Facility. Previously, on September 27, 2021, we entered into the 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 increasing the total borrowing capacity from $750.0 million to $1.0 billion through the addition of a delayed-draw term loan facility of $250.0 million. We drew the entire $250.0 million delayed-draw term loan on December 15, 2021 and used the proceeds to fund our acquisition of Porpoise Pool & Patio, Inc. 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. • Term loans under the credit facility 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 governing revolving credit loans under the Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement continues to include a $750.0 million revolving credit facility and sublimits for the issuance of swingline loans and standby letters of credit. 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. 70 At December 31, 2021, there was $822.9 million outstanding, a $4.8 million standby letter of credit outstanding and $422.3 million available for borrowing under the Credit Facility. The weighted average effective interest rate for the Credit Facility as of December 31, 2021 was approximately 1.2%, excluding commitment fees. Revolving and term borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest, at our option, at either of the following and, in each case, plus an applicable margin: a. 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 1.000% and (b) on and after the USD LIBOR Transition Date, Daily Simple RFR for Dollars in effect on such day plus 1.000%; or (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. 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 1.000%; or b. CDOR. Borrowings by the Euro Borrower bear interest at the Eurocurrency rate plus an applicable margin. Borrowings under any swingline loans under the Credit Facility bear interest, at our option, at either of the following and, in each case, plus an applicable margin: a. b. the LIBOR Market Index Rate; or 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 1.000% and (b) on and after the USD LIBOR Transition Date, Daily Simple RFR for Dollars in effect on such day plus 1.000% The interest rate margins on the 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 agreement, the amount of which is based on our leverage ratio. Term Facility On December 30, 2019, we along with certain of our subsidiaries entered into a $185.0 million term facility (the “Term Facility”) with Bank of America, N.A. pursuant to a credit agreement subsequently amended on October 12, 2021, (as amended, the “Term Facility Agreement”) among us, as Borrower and Bank of America, N.A., as the Lender. Among other items, the amendment provided additional capacity under certain negative covenants related to indebtedness, liens, investments, acquisitions, share repurchases and dividends. The Term Facility matures on December 30, 2026. Under the Term Facility, we are required to make quarterly amortization payments in installments of 1.250% of the Term 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 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 payments will be equal to 33.75% of the Term Facility with the final principal repayment, equal to 66.25% of the Term Facility, due on the maturity date. Our obligations under the Term Facility are guaranteed on an unsecured basis by substantially all of our existing and future domestic subsidiaries. The Term Facility Agreement contains 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. At December 31, 2021, the Term Facility had an outstanding balance of $166.5 million at a weighted average effective interest rate of 2.9%. 71 Borrowings under the Term Facility bear interest, at our option, at either of the following and, in each case, plus an applicable margin: a. b. 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 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 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). Receivables Securitization Facility On November 1, 2021, we and certain of our subsidiaries entered into an agreement (the “Amended Receivables Purchase Agreement”) amending our two-year receivable securitization facility. Among other items, the amendment removed seasonal facility limits and increased the maximum facility limit to $350.0 million in the months of April through June and from $175.0 million to $315.0 million during the remaining months of the year. We also extended the maturity date to November 1, 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. 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. 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 to the financial institutions. The Receivables Facility is subject to 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 meet certain covenants, including maintaining 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 December 31, 2021, there was $185.0 million outstanding under the Receivables Facility at a weighted average effective interest rate of 0.9%, excluding commitment fees. Depending on the funding source used by the financial institutions to purchase the receivables, amounts outstanding under the Receivables Facility bear interest at one of the following and, in each case, plus an applicable margin of 0.75%: a. b. for financial institutions using the commercial paper market, commercial paper rates based on the applicable variable rates in the commercial paper market at the time of issuance; or for financial institutions not using the commercial paper market, LMIR. We also pay an unused fee of 0.35% on the excess of the facility limit over the average daily capital outstanding. We pay this fee monthly in arrears. Australian Seasonal Credit Facility In the second quarter of 2017, Pool Systems Pty. Ltd. (PSL) entered into a credit facility to fund expansion and supplement working capital needs. The credit facility provides a borrowing capacity of AU$20.0 million. 72 Cash Pooling Arrangement Certain of our foreign subsidiaries entered into a cash pooling arrangement with a financial institution for cash management purposes. This arrangement allows the participating subsidiaries to withdraw cash from the financial institution to the extent that aggregate cash deposits held by these subsidiaries are available at the financial institution. To the extent the participating subsidiaries are in an overdraft position, such overdrafts are recorded as short-term borrowings under a committed cash overdraft facility. These borrowings bear interest at a variable rate based on 3-month Euro Interbank Offered Rate (EURIBOR), plus a fixed margin. We also pay a commitment fee on the average outstanding balance. This fee is paid annually in advance. Our borrowing capacity is €14.0 million. Maturities of Long-Term Debt The table below presents maturities of long-term debt, excluding unamortized deferred financing costs, for the next five years (in thousands): 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 $ 21,022 200,500 21,750 28,000 914,926 Interest Rate Swaps 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 rate 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 loss on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The following table provides additional details related to these swap contracts: Derivative Interest rate swap 1 Interest rate swap 2 Interest rate swap 3 Inception Date May 7, 2019 Effective Date November 20, 2020 Termination Date September 29, 2022 July 25, 2019 November 20, 2020 September 29, 2022 February 5, 2020 February 26, 2021 February 28, 2025 Notional Amount (in millions) $75.0 $75.0 $150.0 Fixed Interest Rate 2.0925% 1.5500% 1.3800% We have entered into additional 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. The following table provides details related to each of our forward-starting interest rate swap contracts: Derivative Forward-starting interest rate swap 1 Inception Date March 9, 2020 Effective Date Termination Date September 29, 2022 February 26, 2027 Notional Amount (in millions) $150.0 Forward-starting interest rate swap 2 March 9, 2020 February 28, 2025 February 26, 2027 $150.0 Fixed Interest Rate 0.7400% 0.8130% The net difference between interest paid and interest received related to our swap agreements resulted in an incremental interest expense of $4.3 million in 2021 and $0.9 million in 2020 and a benefit of $0.3 million in 2019. 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. 73 Financial and Other Covenants 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 the Credit Facility and the Term Facility could result in higher interest rates on our borrowings or the acceleration of the maturities of our outstanding debt. As of December 31, 2021, we were in compliance with all covenants and financial ratio requirements related to the Credit Facility, the Term Facility and the Receivables Facility. Deferred Financing Costs We capitalize financing costs we incur related to implementing and amending our debt arrangements. We record these costs as a reduction of Long-term debt, net on our Consolidated Balance Sheets and amortize them over the contractual life of the related debt arrangements. The table below summarizes changes in deferred financing costs for the past two years (in thousands): December 31, 2021 2020 Deferred financing costs: Balance at beginning of year Financing costs deferred Write-off of fully amortized deferred financing costs Balance at end of year Less: Accumulated amortization $ 5,130 2,638 (3,726) 4,042 (1,194) $ 5,118 12 — 5,130 (4,505) 625 Deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization $ 2,848 $ Note 6 - Share-Based Compensation Share-Based Plans Current Plan In May 2007, our shareholders approved the 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the 2007 LTIP), which authorizes the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors (the Board) to grant non-qualified stock options and restricted stock awards to employees, directors, consultants or advisors. In May 2016, our shareholders approved an amendment and restatement of the 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the Amended 2007 LTIP) and increased the number of shares that may be issued to a total of 9,315,000 shares. As of December 31, 2021, we had 4,109,524 shares available for future issuance including 933,872 shares that may be issued as restricted stock. Stock options granted under the Amended 2007 LTIP have an exercise price equal to our stock’s closing market price on the grant date and expire ten years from the grant date. Restricted stock awards granted under the Amended 2007 LTIP are issued at no cost to the grantee. Both stock options and restricted stock awards vest over time depending on an employee’s length of service with the company. Share-based awards to our employees generally vest either five years from the grant date or on a three/five year split vest schedule, where half of the awards vest three years from the grant date and the remainder of the awards vest five years from the grant date. Share-based awards to our non-employee directors vest one year from the grant date. 74 Restricted stock awards to our employees contain performance-based criteria in addition to the service-based vesting criteria described above. The awards provide for a three-year performance period for the metric to be achieved. If the performance metric fails to be met, it may be extended by one or two years; however, if it is not met by the end of the extended performance period, then all shares of performance-based restricted stock will be immediately forfeited and canceled. For each of the performance-based grants from 2016 through 2019, we achieved the performance condition in the initial three-year performance period. For the performance-based grants in 2020 and 2021, we have concluded that the performance condition is probable to be attained in the initial three-year performance period. Stock Option Awards The following table summarizes stock option activity under our share-based plans for the year ended December 31, 2021: Balance at December 31, 2020 Granted Less: Exercised Forfeited Balance at December 31, 2021 Shares 884,059 44,750 274,253 2,939 651,617 Exercisable at December 31, 2021 376,780 Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years) Aggregate Intrinsic Value $ $ $ 91.49 332.91 52.64 207.30 123.98 76.06 4.93 3.31 $ 288,028,501 $ 184,599,877 The following table presents information about stock options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2021: Range of Exercise Prices $ 37.13 to $ 69.85 $ 69.86 to $ 138.03 $ 138.04 to $ 515.41 Outstanding Stock Options Exercisable Stock Options Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years) Weighted Average Exercise Price Shares Weighted Average Exercise Price 2.29 5.05 8.05 4.93 $ 59.66 218,817 $ 108.93 226.70 156,309 1,654 59.66 97.51 217.71 $ 123.98 376,780 $ 76.06 Shares 218,817 257,995 174,805 651,617 The following table summarizes the cash proceeds and tax benefits realized from the exercise of stock options: (in thousands, except share amounts) Options exercised Cash proceeds Intrinsic value of options exercised Tax benefits realized Year Ended December 31, 2021 274,253 $ 14,435 $ 118,305 29,576 $ 2020 482,361 $ 17,657 $ 116,794 29,199 $ 2019 640,475 16,839 97,007 24,252 $ $ $ We estimated the fair value of employee stock option awards at the grant date based on the assumptions summarized in the following table: (Weighted average) Expected volatility Expected term Risk-free interest rate Expected dividend yield Grant date fair value 2021 27.0 % Year Ended December 31, 2020 20.7 % 2019 21.4 % 6.9 years 6.8 years 7.0 years 1.00 % 1.15 % 83.05 $ 1.22 % 1.30 % 42.52 $ 2.52 % 1.30 % 37.75 $ 75 We calculated expected volatility over the expected term of the awards based on the historical volatility of our common stock. We use weekly price observations for our historical volatility calculation because we believe this provides the most appropriate measurement of volatility given the trading patterns of our common stock. We estimated the expected term based on the vesting period of the awards and our historical exercise activity for awards with similar characteristics. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with a remaining term approximating the expected term of the option. We determined the expected dividend yield based on the dividends we anticipate paying over the expected term. For purposes of recognizing share-based compensation expense, we ratably expense the estimated fair value of employee stock options over the options’ requisite service period. The requisite service period for our share-based awards is either the vesting period, or if shorter, the period from the grant date to the date the employee becomes eligible to retire under our share-based award agreements. We recognize compensation cost for awards with graded vesting using the graded vesting recognition method. We estimate a forfeiture rate to calculate our share-based compensation expense for our share-based awards based on an analysis of actual forfeitures. We continue to evaluate the appropriateness of the forfeiture rate based on actual forfeiture experience, analysis of employee turnover, and other factors. The following table presents the total share-based compensation expense for stock option awards for the past three years (in thousands): Option grants share-based compensation expense Option grants share-based compensation tax benefits $ $ 2,846 712 $ 2,842 710 3,021 755 2021 2020 2019 At December 31, 2021, million. We anticipate recognizing this expense over a weighted average period of 2.8 years. the unamortized compensation expense related to stock option awards totaled $3.6 Restricted Stock Awards The table below presents restricted stock award activity under our share-based plans for the year ended December 31, 2021: Balance unvested at December 31, 2020 Granted (at market price) (1) Less: Vested Forfeited Balance unvested at December 31, 2021 Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value $ 153.12 335.80 115.88 295.73 190.26 $ Shares 291,704 40,597 69,069 2,494 260,738 (1) The majority of these shares contain performance-based vesting conditions. At December 31, 2021, $14.5 million. We anticipate recognizing this expense over a weighted average period of 3.0 years. the unamortized compensation expense related to the restricted stock awards totaled The table below presents the total number of restricted stock awards that vested for the past three years and the related fair value of those awards (in thousands, except share amounts): Restricted stock awards - shares vested Fair value of restricted stock awards vested 69,069 24,005 $ 77,294 16,813 $ 75,143 12,316 $ 2021 2020 2019 The following table presents the total share-based compensation expense for restricted stock awards for the past three years (in thousands): Restricted stock awards share-based compensation expense $ 11,543 $ 10,965 $ 10,026 2021 2020 2019 76 Employee Stock Purchase Plan We maintain the Pool Corporation Amended and Restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the ESPP), which was last approved by the Board and our stockholders in 2016. Under the ESPP, employees who meet minimum age and length of service requirements may purchase stock at 85% of the lower of: a. b. the closing price of our common stock at the end of a six month plan period ending either July 31 or January 31; or the average of the beginning and ending closing prices of our common stock for such six month period. No more than 956,250 shares of our common stock may be issued under the ESPP. For the two six month offering periods in each of the last three years, our employees purchased the following aggregate number of shares: 2021 2020 2019 8,649 10,929 12,716 The grant date fair value for the most recent ESPP purchase period ended July 31, 2021 was $121.82 per share. Share-based compensation expense related to our ESPP was $0.8 million in 2021, $0.7 million in 2020 and $0.4 million in 2019. Note 7 - Income Taxes Income before income taxes and equity in earnings is attributable to the following jurisdictions (in thousands): United States Foreign Total Year Ended December 31, 2020 $ 428,857 22,817 $ 451,674 2021 $ 752,957 71,188 $ 824,145 2019 $ 304,259 13,215 $ 317,474 The provision for income taxes consisted of the following (in thousands): Year Ended December 31, 2020 2019 2021 Current: Federal State and other Total current provision for income taxes $ 124,379 44,783 169,162 $ 67,093 20,680 87,773 $ 35,270 17,168 52,438 Deferred: Federal State and other Total deferred provision for income taxes Provision for income taxes 2,970 1,680 4,650 $ 173,812 (1,298) (1,244) (2,542) 85,231 $ 4,154 (431) 3,723 56,161 $ A reconciliation of the U.S. federal statutory tax rate to our effective tax rate on Income before income taxes and equity in earnings is as follows: Federal statutory rate Change in valuation allowance Stock-based compensation Other, primarily state income tax rate Total effective tax rate Year Ended December 31, 2021 21.00 % (0.11) (3.67) 3.87 21.09 % 2020 2019 21.00 % (0.22) (6.34) 4.43 18.87 % 21.00 % 0.10 (7.40) 3.99 17.69 % 77 We reduce federal and state income taxes payable by the tax benefits associated with the exercise of deductible nonqualified stock options and the lapse of restrictions on deductible 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 or deficiencies as income tax benefit or expense in the income statement. We recorded excess tax benefits of $30.0 million to our income tax provision in 2021, $28.6 million in 2020 and $23.5 million in 2019. The table below presents the components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities (in thousands): Deferred tax assets: Product inventories Accrued expenses Leases Share-based compensation Uncertain tax positions Net operating losses Interest rate swaps Other Total non-current Less: Valuation allowance Component reclassified for net presentation Total non-current, net December 31, 2021 2020 $ 8,597 3,105 59,457 8,981 2,792 2,524 — 3,839 89,295 (2,086) (86,113) 1,096 $ 6,110 4,101 50,301 8,730 3,266 3,829 3,023 3,628 82,988 (3,166) (78,542) 1,280 Total deferred tax assets 1,096 1,280 Deferred tax liabilities: Trade discounts on purchases Prepaid expenses Leases Intangible assets, primarily goodwill Depreciation Interest rate swaps Total non-current Component reclassified for net presentation Total non-current, net 2,566 4,226 58,146 36,936 19,369 710 121,953 (86,113) 35,840 2,218 3,379 49,004 34,244 17,350 — 106,195 (78,542) 27,653 Total deferred tax liabilities 35,840 27,653 Net deferred tax liability $ 34,744 $ 26,373 At December 31, 2021, certain of our international subsidiaries had tax loss carryforwards totaling approximately $8.6 million, which expire in various years after 2022. Deferred tax assets related to the tax loss carryforwards of these international subsidiaries were $2.5 million as of December 31, 2021 and $3.8 million as of December 31, 2020. We have recorded a corresponding valuation allowance of $1.8 million and $2.9 million in the respective years. 78 As of December 31, 2021, United States income taxes were not provided on earnings or cash balances of our foreign subsidiaries, outside of the provisions of the transition tax from U.S. tax reform enacted in December 2017. As we have historically invested or expect to invest the undistributed earnings indefinitely to fund current cash flow needs in the countries where held, additional income tax provisions may be required. Determining the amount of unrecognized deferred tax liability on these undistributed earnings and cash balances is not practicable due to the complexity of tax laws and regulations and the varying circumstances, tax treatments and timing of any future repatriation. The following table summarizes the activity related to uncertain tax positions for the past three years (in thousands): Balance at beginning of year Increases for tax positions taken during a prior period Increases for tax positions taken during the current period Decreases resulting from the expiration of the statute of limitations Decreases relating to settlements Balance at end of year 2021 $ 15,553 — 3,518 3,185 2,589 $ 13,297 2020 $ 13,582 1,363 2,721 2,113 — $ 15,553 2019 $ 12,179 771 2,354 1,390 332 $ 13,582 The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would decrease the effective tax rate was $10.5 million at December 31, 2021 and $12.3 million at December 31, 2020. We record interest expense related to unrecognized tax benefits in Interest and other non-operating expenses, net, while we record related penalties in Selling and administrative expenses on our Consolidated Statements of Income. For unrecognized tax benefits, we had interest income of $0.6 million in 2021 and interest expense of $1.0 million in 2020 and $0.6 million in 2019. Accrued interest related to unrecognized tax benefits was approximately $1.6 million at December 31, 2021 and $2.7 million at December 31, 2020. We file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state and foreign jurisdictions. With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local, or non-U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2018. 79 Note 8 - Earnings Per Share We calculate basic and diluted earnings per share using 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 common shares outstanding were 268,000 for the year ended December 31, 2021. The 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): Net income Amounts allocated to participating securities Year Ended December 31, 2021 2020 2019 $ 650,624 $ 366,738 $ 261,575 (4,321) — — Net income attributable to common stockholders $ 646,303 $ 366,738 $ 261,575 Weighted average common shares outstanding: Basic Effect of dilutive securities: Stock options and employee stock purchase plan Diluted Earnings per share attributable to common stockholders: Basic Diluted 39,876 40,106 39,833 604 40,480 759 40,865 1,032 40,865 $ $ 16.21 15.97 $ $ 9.14 8.97 $ $ 6.57 6.40 Anti-dilutive stock options excluded from diluted earnings per share computations (1) 1 — — (1) Since these options have exercise prices that are higher than the average market prices of our common stock, including them in the calculation would have an anti-dilutive effect on earnings per share. Note 9 - Commitments and Contingencies Commitments We lease facilities for our corporate and administrative offices, sales centers and centralized shipping locations under operating leases that expire in various years through 2036. Most of our leases contain five-year terms with renewal options that allow us to extend the lease term beyond the initial period, subject to terms agreed upon at lease inception. Based on our leasing practices and contract negotiations, we determined that we are not reasonably certain to exercise the renewal options and, as such, we have not included optional renewal periods in our measurement of operating lease assets, liabilities and expected lease terms. With our adoption of ASC 842, Leases, we elected to retain our existing assessment of whether an arrangement is or contains a lease, is classified as an operating or financing lease and contains initial direct costs. We also elected the practical expedients that allow us to exclude short-term leases from our Consolidated Balance Sheets and to combine lease and non-lease components. For leases with step rent provisions whereby the rental payments increase incrementally over the life of the lease, we recognize expense on a straight-line basis determined by the total lease payments over the lease term. To the extent we determine that future obligations related to real estate taxes, insurance and other lease components are variable, we exclude them from the measurement of our operating lease assets and liabilities. 80 Some of our real estate agreements include rental payments adjusted periodically for inflation. Our lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants. The table below presents rent expense associated with facility and vehicle operating leases for the past three years (in thousands): Lease Cost Operating lease cost (1) Variable lease cost Classification Selling and administrative expenses Selling and administrative expenses (1) Includes short-term lease cost, which is not material. 2021 2020 $ 71,255 $ 63,141 $ 60,104 2019 $ 18,755 $ 16,700 $ 13,778 Based on our lease portfolio as of December 31, 2021, the table below sets forth the approximate future lease payments related to operating leases with initial terms of one year or more (in thousands): 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 Thereafter Total lease payments Less: interest Present value of lease liabilities $ 64,337 57,806 45,037 34,803 22,800 32,970 257,753 13,324 $ 244,429 To calculate the present value of our lease liabilities, we determined our incremental borrowing rate based on the effective interest rate on our Credit Facility adjusted for a collateral feature similar to that of our leased properties, as we are unable to derive implicit rates from our existing leases. The table below presents the weighted-average remaining lease term (years) of our operating leases and the weighted-average discount rate used in the above calculation: Lease Term and Discount Rate for Operating Leases 2021 2020 2019 Weighted-average remaining lease term (years) Weighted-average discount rate 5.27 2.57 % 5.10 2.99 % 4.57 3.41 % December 31, The table below presents the amount of cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities (in thousands): Operating cash flows for lease liabilities $ 67,197 $ 60,723 $ 56,617 Year Ended December 31, 2021 2020 2019 81 Contingencies 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. Each quarter, we evaluate developments related to claims and litigation and record a liability if we deem a loss to be probable and estimable. When evaluating these matters for accrual and disclosure, we consider factors such as historical experience, specific facts and claims asserted, the likelihood we will prevail and the magnitude of any potential loss. The outcome of any litigation is inherently unpredictable. Based on currently available facts, we do not believe that the ultimate resolution of any of these claims and litigation matters will have a material adverse impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. We do not believe our exposure for any of these matters is material for disclosure, either individually or in the aggregate. Note 10 - Related Party Transactions Policy Our policy for related party transactions is included in our written Audit Committee Charter. This policy requires that our Audit Committee review and approve all related party transactions required to be disclosed in our Annual Proxy Statement or required to be approved based on Nasdaq rules. Transactions We lease corporate and administrative offices from NCC, an entity we have held a 50% ownership interest in since 2005. NCC owns and operates an office building in Covington, Louisiana. We lease corporate and administrative offices from NCC, occupying approximately 60,000 square feet of office space, and we pay rent of $0.1 million per month. Our lease term ends May 2025. The table below presents rent expense associated with this lease for the past three years (in thousands): 2021 2020 2019 NCC $ 1,222 $ 1,222 $ 1,222 Note 11 - Employee Benefit Plans We offer a 401(k) savings and retirement plan, which is a defined contribution plan that provides benefits for substantially all employees who meet length of service requirements. Eligible employees are able to contribute up to 75% of their compensation, subject to the federal dollar limit. For plan participants, we provide a matching contribution. We contribute a total maximum match on employee contributions of up to 4% of their compensation, with a 100% match on the first 3% of compensation deferred and a 50% match on deferrals between 3% and 5% of compensation. We also offer retirement plans for certain of our international entities. The plan funding is calculated as a percentage of the employee’s earnings and in compliance with local laws and practices. The related expense is not material and is included in the table below. We have a nonqualified deferred compensation plan that allows certain employees who occupy key management positions to defer salary and bonus amounts. This plan also provides a matching contribution similar to that provided under our 401(k) plan to the extent that a participant’s contributions to the 401(k) plan are limited by IRS deferral and compensation limitations. The total combined company matching contribution provided to a participant under the 401(k) plan and the nonqualified deferred compensation plan for any one year may not exceed 4% of a participant’s salary and bonus. The employee and company matching contributions are invested in certain equity and fixed income securities based on individual employee elections. The table below sets forth our contributions for the past three years (in thousands): Defined contribution and international retirement plans $ 9,308 $ 8,259 $ 7,373 Deferred compensation plan 239 160 195 2021 2020 2019 82 Note 12 - Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) The table below summarizes the unaudited quarterly results of operations for the past two years (in thousands, except per share data): 2021 2020 Quarter First Second Third Fourth First Second Third Fourth $ 1,060,745 $ 1,787,833 $ 1,411,448 $ 1,035,557 $ 677,288 $ 1,280,846 $ 1,139,229 $ 839,261 301,131 98,655 551,685 259,695 441,899 184,665 322,376 107,609 189,629 30,912 373,481 157,555 328,698 119,098 239,095 59,174 $ $ 2.45 $ 2.42 $ 6.47 $ 6.37 $ 4.60 $ 4.54 $ 2.68 $ 2.65 $ 0.77 $ 0.75 $ 3.94 $ 3.87 $ 2.97 $ 2.92 $ 1.47 1.45 Net sales Gross profit Net income Earnings per share: Basic Diluted The sum of basic and diluted earnings per share for each of the quarters may not equal the total basic and diluted earnings per share for the annual periods because of rounding differences and a difference in the way that in-the-money stock options are considered from quarter to quarter. 83 Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure Not applicable. Item 9A. 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 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 December 31, 2021, management, including the CEO and CFO, performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, management, including the CEO and CFO, concluded that as of December 31, 2021, 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. 84 Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting Pool Corporation’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Our internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of published financial statements. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Any evaluation or projection of effectiveness to future periods is also subject to risk that controls may become inadequate due to changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Pool Corporation’s management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in the Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013 Framework). Based on this assessment, management has concluded that, as of December 31, 2021, Pool Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting was effective. The independent registered public accounting firm that audited the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K has issued a report on Pool Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting. This report appears below. 85 Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Pool Corporation Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting We have audited Pool Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, Pool Corporation (the Company) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on the COSO criteria. We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”) and our report dated February 25, 2022 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon. Basis for Opinion The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB. We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. /s/ Ernst & Young LLP New Orleans, Louisiana February 25, 2022 86 Item 9B. Other Information Not applicable. Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections Not applicable. Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance PART III. Incorporated by reference to Pool Corporation’s 2022 Proxy Statement to be filed with the SEC. We have a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the Code) that applies to all of our employees, officers and directors, and is available on our website at www.poolcorp.com. Any substantive amendments to the Code, or any waivers granted to any directors or executive officers, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer and controller, will be disclosed on our website and remain there for at least 12 months. Item 11. Executive Compensation Incorporated by reference to Pool Corporation’s 2022 Proxy Statement to be filed with the SEC. Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters Incorporated by reference to Pool Corporation’s 2022 Proxy Statement to be filed with the SEC. Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence Incorporated by reference to Pool Corporation’s 2022 Proxy Statement to be filed with the SEC. Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services Incorporated by reference to Pool Corporation’s 2022 Proxy Statement to be filed with the SEC. 87 PART IV. Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules (a) The following documents are filed as part of this report: (1) Consolidated Financial Statements: Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Consolidated Statements of Income Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income Consolidated Balance Sheets Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (2) Financial Statement Schedules. Page 49 52 53 54 55 56 57 All schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or are not required or because the required information is provided in our Consolidated Financial Statements or accompanying Notes included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K. (3) The exhibits listed in the Index to Exhibits. Item 16. Form 10-K Summary None. 88 INDEX TO EXHIBITS Incorporated by Reference Filed/ Furnished with this Form 10-K X X No. 3.1 3.2 4.1 4.2 10.1 10.2 10.3 Description Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company. Amended and Restated By-laws of the Company. Form of certificate representing shares of common stock of the Company. Description of the Securities of Pool Corporation Registered Under Section 12 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934. * Pool Corporation Amended and Restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan. * Pool Corporation Amended and Restated 2007 Long- Term Incentive Plan. * Form of Stock Option Agreement for Employees under the Amended and Restated 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan. 10.4 * Form of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Agreement under the Pool Corporation Amended and Restated 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan. 10.5 10.6 10.7 10.8 10.9 10.10 10.11 10.12 * Form of Stock Option Agreement for Directors under the Amended and Restated 2007 Long‑Term Incentive Plan. * Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for Directors under the Amended and Restated 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan. * Form of Employment Agreement. * Employment Agreement, dated January 17, 2003, between SCP Distributors, LLC and A. David Cook. * Employment Agreement, dated December 20, 2016, between SCP Distributors, LLC and Peter D. Arvan. * Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan Basic Plan Document, dated March 1, 2005. * Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan Adoption Agreement by and among SCP Distributors, L.L.C., Superior Pool Products, L.L.C. and Cypress, Inc., dated March 1, 2005. Trust Agreement by and among SCP Distributors, L.L.C., Superior Pool Products, L.L.C. and Cypress, Inc. and T. Rowe Price Trust Company, dated March 1, 2005. Form 10-Q 8-K 8-K File No. Date Filed 000-26640 08/09/2006 000-26640 02/08/2019 000-26640 05/19/2006 10-K 000-26640 02/27/2020 8-K 8-K 000-26640 05/06/2016 000-26640 05/06/2016 8-K 000-26640 05/06/2009 8-K 000-26640 05/06/2009 10-K 10-K 000-26640 03/18/2003 000-26640 03/01/2005 10-K 000-26640 02/24/2017 10-Q 000-26640 04/29/2005 10-Q 000-26640 04/29/2005 10-Q 000-26640 04/29/2005 10.13 * Pool Corporation Executive Officer Annual Incentive 10-K 000-26640 02/27/2019 10.14 10.15 Plan. * Pool Corporation Strategic Plan Incentive Program. 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. 10.16 as amended by First Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement X 8-K 000-26640 9/29/2021 No. 10.17 10.18 10.19 10.20 10.21 10.22 10.23 10.24 10.25 10.26 10.27 10.28 10.29 10.30 10.31 21.1 23.1 31.1 31.2 Description Receivables Sale and Contribution Agreement, dated as of October 11, 2013, between SCP Distributors LLC, Horizon Distributors, Inc., Superior Pool Products LLC and Poolfx Supply LLC, as Originators and Superior Commerce LLC, as Buyer. Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 11, 2013, among Superior Commerce LLC as Seller, SCP Distributors LLC, as the Servicer, the Purchasers from time to time thereto, The Bank of Tokyo‑Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., New York Branch, as the Victory Group Co-Agent and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as the Wells Group Co-Agent and as Administrative Agent. as amended by Second Amendment to the Receivables Purchase Agreement dated as of June 25, 2014. as amended by Third Amendment to the Receivables Purchase Agreement dated as of October 24, 2014. as amended by Fourth Amendment to the Receivables Purchase Agreement dated as of October 1, 2015. as amended by Fifth Amendment to the Receivables Purchase Agreement dated as of October 15, 2015. as amended by Sixth Amendment to the Receivables Purchase Agreement dated as of October 28, 2016. as amended by Seventh Amendment to the Receivables Purchase Agreement dated as of August 31, 2017. as amended by Eighth Amendment to the Receivables Purchase Agreement dated as of November 28, 2017. as amended by Ninth Amendment to the Receivables Purchase Agreement dated as of October 31. 2018. as amended by Tenth Amendment to the Receivables Purchase Agreement dated as of November 1, 2019. Omnibus Amendment No. 1, dated November 1, 2021, among Superior Commerce LLC, as Seller, SCP Distributors LLC, as the Servicer, Pool Corporation as the Performance Guarantor, the Purchasers from time to time party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent. Performance Undertaking, dated as of October 11, 2013, by and between Pool Corporation and Superior Commerce LLC. Credit Agreement, dated as of December 30, 2019, among Pool Corporation as the Borrower, Certain Subsidiaries of the Borrower Party Hereto, as the Guarantors, and Bank of America, N.A., as the Lender. 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. Subsidiaries of the registrant. Consent of Ernst & Young LLP. 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. 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. Filed/ Furnished with this Form 10-K Incorporated by Reference Form File No. Date Filed 8-K 000-26640 10/17/2013 8-K 000-26640 10/17/2013 10-Q 000-26640 07/30/2014 8-K 8-K 8-K 8-K 8-K 8-K 8-K 8-K 8-K 000-26640 10/28/2014 000-26640 10/20/2015 000-26640 10/20/2015 000-26640 10/31/2016 000-26640 09/01/2017 000-26640 11/29/2017 000-26640 11/02/2018 000-26640 11/04/2019 000-26640 11/01/2021 8-K 000-26640 10/17/2013 8-K 000-26640 01/02/2020 10-Q 000-26640 10/28/2021 X X X X No. 32.1 Description Certification by Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes- Oxley Act of 2002. 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 101.SCH + Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document 101.CAL + Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document 101.DEF + Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document 101.LAB + Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document 101.PRE + Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document 104 + Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted in Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) Incorporated by Reference Filed/ Furnished with this Form 10-K Form File No. Date Filed X X X X X X X X * Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement + 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 years ended December 31, 2021, December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019; 2. Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2021, December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019; 3. Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020; 4. Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2021, December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019; 5. Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2021, December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019; and 6. Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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 February 25, 2022. SIGNATURES POOL CORPORATION By: /s/ JOHN E. STOKELY John E. Stokely, Chairman of the Board and Lead Independent Director Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant in the capacities indicated on February 25, 2022. Signature: Title: /s/ JOHN E. STOKELY John E. Stokely /s/ PETER D. ARVAN Peter D. Arvan /s/ MELANIE M. HOUSEY HART Melanie M. Housey Hart /s/ MARTHA S. GERVASI Martha S. Gervasi /s/ TIMOTHY M. GRAVEN Timothy M. Graven /s/ DEBRA S. OLER Debra S. Oler /s/ MANUEL J. PEREZ DE LA MESA Manuel J. Perez de la Mesa /s/ HARLAN F. SEYMOUR Harlan F. Seymour /s/ ROBERT C. SLEDD Robert C. Sledd /s/ DAVID G. WHALEN David G. Whalen Chairman of the Board and Lead Independent Director President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (principal executive officer) Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer and principal accounting officer) Director Director Director Director Director Director Director [This page intentionally left blank] North America Europe OUR NETWORKS AND LOCATIONS 10 3 1 1 9 2 2 7 1 1 2 1 5 5 2 10 4 1 2 6 11 4 3 5 1 2 4 54 7 7 7 5 62 1 2 9 5 3 9 1 3 76 26 1 4 236 73 81 20 410 Network Total Sales Centers 1 SCP Superior Horizon NPT Total TABLE OF CONTENTS Message to Our Shareholders ................................. 1 Financial Highlights ................................................. 2 POOLCORP Teams Up with the YMCA ..................... 3 Corporate Responsibility / In Memoriam ............................................................ 4 Pool Corporation 2021 Form 10-K .......................... 5 Shareholder Information, 1 1 1 7 1 1 2 2 Australia 1 3 1 1 VISION STATEMENT To be the best worldwide distributor of outdoor lifestyle products that include all products relating to swimming pools, irrigation & other products that enhance the quality of outdoor home life. SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION COMPANY OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS SEC Filings / Investor Contact Officers Pool Corporation reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission are available without charge to shareholders upon written request. These requests and other investor inquiries should be directed to Investor Relations at the company’s corporate address below. Shareholders’ Meeting The Annual Shareholders’ Meeting of Pool Corporation will be held on Tuesday, May 3, 2022, at 9:00 a.m., Central Time. This year’s Annual Meeting will be a virtual meeting via live webcast on the Internet. Shareholders of record as of March 15, 2022, will be entitled to vote at this meeting. Stock Listing Pool Corporation’s common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol POOL. Company Address Pool Corporation 109 Northpark Boulevard Covington, LA 70433-5001 Phone: 985.892.5521 www.poolcorp.com Registrar and Transfer Agent Computershare Trust Company, N.A. P.O. Box 505000 Louisville, KY 40233 Phone: 877.498.8861 Inquiries regarding stock transfers, lost certificates or address changes should be directed to Computershare at the above address. For more information: www.computershare.com Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Ernst & Young LLP New Orleans, LA Outside Securities Counsel Jones Walker LLP New Orleans, LA MISSION STATEMENT To provide exceptional value to our customers and suppliers, creating exceptional return for our shareholders while providing (1) Executive Officer (2) Chairman, Audit Committee (3) Member, Audit Committee (4) Chairman, Compensation Committee (5) Member, Compensation Committee (6) Chairman, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (7) Member, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (8) Chairman, Strategic Planning Committee (9) Member, Strategic Planning Committee Peter D. Arvan (1) President and Chief Executive Officer Melanie M. Hart (1) Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Jeffrey M. Clay (1) President of Horizon Distributors, Inc. Todd R. Marshall Vice President and Chief Information Officer Jennifer M. Neil (1) Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer Robert R. Rankin Vice President and General Manager Kenneth G. St. Romain (1) Group Vice President Luther A. Willems Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Donna K. Williams Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Board of Directors John E. Stokely (3), (6) Chairman of the Board Retired, Former President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Richfood Holdings, Inc. Manuel J. Perez de la Mesa Vice Chairman of the Board Retired, Former President and Chief Executive Officer of Pool Corporation Peter D. Arvan President and Chief Executive Officer Martha “Marty” S. Gervasi (5), (9) Retired, Former Chief Human Resources Officer of the Hartford Financial Services Group Timothy M. Graven (2), (7) Retired, Former President and Chief Operating Officer of Steel Technologies, Inc. Debra S. Oler (5), (9) Retired, Former Senior Vice President/President North American Sales and Service of W.W. Grainger, Inc. Harlan F. Seymour (4), (7), (8) Retired, Former Chairman of ACI Worldwide, Inc. Robert C. Sledd (3), (5) Retired, Chairman of Owens & Minor, Inc. David G. Whalen (3), (9) Retired, Former President and Chief Executive Officer of A.T. Cross Company Company Officers & Directors ..... Inside Back Cover exceptional opportunities for our employees. This annual report contains certain forward-looking statements, as defined by the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results, are based on current expectations only and are subject to uncertainties. Actual events and results may differ materially from those anticipated by us in those statements due to several factors, including those disclosed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 2 1 109 Northpark Boulevard, Covington, LA 70433-5001 (985) 892.5521 | www.poolcorp.com @poolcorp ANNUAL REPORT 2021 

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