Ariel Investments (LESL) reports 2.42M Leslie's shares, over 25% stake

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Ariel Investments, LLC reported beneficial ownership of 2,416,405 shares of Leslie's Inc common stock as of June 30, 2026, representing 25.8% of the class. Ariel has sole voting power over 2,350,873 shares and sole dispositive power over all 2,416,405 shares, with no shared voting or dispositive power.

Ariel's adviser clients are entitled to dividends and sale proceeds on these securities. Ariel Fund, a series of Ariel Investment Trust, owns 2,015,316 shares of Leslie's, which represents an economic interest in more than 5% of the common stock covered by this Schedule 13G/A.

Key Figures

Beneficially owned shares: 2,416,405 shares Ownership percentage: 25.8% Sole voting power: 2,350,873 shares +2 more

5 metrics

Beneficially owned shares 2,416,405 shares Common stock beneficially owned by Ariel Investments, LLC as of June 30, 2026

Ownership percentage 25.8% Percent of Leslie's Inc common stock class held by Ariel Investments, LLC

Sole voting power 2,350,873 shares Shares over which Ariel Investments, LLC has sole voting power

Sole dispositive power 2,416,405 shares Shares over which Ariel Investments, LLC has sole dispositive power

Ariel Fund holdings 2,015,316 shares Leslie's Inc shares owned by Ariel Fund, a series of Ariel Investment Trust

Key Terms

beneficially owned, Sole Voting Power, Sole Dispositive Power, Schedule 13G

4 terms

beneficially owned financial

"Item 4. | Ownership (a) | Amount beneficially owned: 2,416,405"

Beneficially owned describes securities or assets where a person has the economic rights and control—such as the right to receive dividends and to direct voting—even if legal title is held in another name. Think of it like having the keys and using a car that’s registered to someone else: you get the benefits and make decisions. Investors care because beneficial ownership reveals who truly controls value and voting power, affecting corporate decisions and takeover dynamics.

Sole Voting Power financial

"5 | Sole Voting Power 2,350,873.00 6 | Shared Voting Power 0.00"

Sole voting power is the exclusive right to cast votes attached to a shareholder’s stock without needing approval from anyone else. Like holding the only remote control for a TV, it lets that holder decide corporate matters such as board members, mergers, and policy changes, making it important to investors because it concentrates control and can strongly influence a company’s strategy and the value of its shares.

Sole Dispositive Power financial

"7 | Sole Dispositive Power 2,416,405.00 8 | Shared Dispositive Power 0.00"

Sole dispositive power is the exclusive legal authority to decide what happens to a security — for example, whether to sell, transfer, or retain shares — without needing anyone else’s permission. Investors care because it signals who truly controls the economic outcome of an investment: like holding the only key to a safe, the holder can realize gains or losses and may trigger regulatory reporting, insider rules, or influence over corporate ownership.

Schedule 13G regulatory

"securities reported upon this Schedule. Ariel Fund ... subject securities reported upon this Schedule."

A Schedule 13G is a formal document that investors file with the government when they acquire a large ownership stake in a company, usually for investment purposes rather than control. It helps keep the public informed about who owns significant parts of a company's shares, which can influence how the company is managed and how investors make decisions. Filing this schedule is important for transparency and understanding the ownership landscape of publicly traded companies.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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Available on EDGAR 08/07/2026 - 09:59 AM Accepted by SEC EDGAR 08/07/2026 - 09:58 AM Learn about SEC filing dates

FAQ

How many Leslie's Inc (LESL) shares does Ariel Investments beneficially own?

Ariel Investments, LLC beneficially owns 2,416,405 shares of Leslie's Inc common stock, with sole dispositive power over all these shares and sole voting power over 2,350,873 shares as of June 30, 2026.

What percentage of Leslie's Inc (LESL) is owned by Ariel Investments?

Ariel Investments, LLC reports beneficial ownership of 25.8% of Leslie's Inc common stock. This percentage is based on 2,416,405 shares deemed beneficially owned as of June 30, 2026.

Does Ariel Investments share voting or dispositive power over Leslie's Inc (LESL) shares?

Ariel Investments, LLC has sole voting power over 2,350,873 Leslie's shares and sole dispositive power over 2,416,405 shares, with no shared voting or dispositive power reported.

What is Ariel Fund’s position in Leslie's Inc (LESL)?

Ariel Fund, a series of Ariel Investment Trust, owns 2,015,316 shares of Leslie's Inc. This holding represents an economic interest in more than 5% of the Leslie's common stock reported on this Schedule 13G/A.

Who is entitled to dividends and sale proceeds on Ariel’s Leslie's Inc (LESL) holdings?

Ariel Investments states that its adviser clients have the right to receive, or direct the receipt of, dividends and sale proceeds from all Leslie's Inc securities reported on this Schedule 13G/A.

Where is Ariel Investments, LLC, the large Leslie's Inc (LESL) holder, organized?

Ariel Investments, LLC is organized in Delaware, with its principal business office at 200 E. Randolph Street, Suite 2900, Chicago, Illinois 60601, as disclosed in the Schedule 13G/A.

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 13G

UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

(Amendment No. 9)

Leslie's Inc

(Name of Issuer)

Common Stock SH NEW

(Title of Class of Securities)

527064208

(CUSIP Number)

06/30/2026

(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)

Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule is filed:

Rule 13d-1(b)

Rule 13d-1(c)

Rule 13d-1(d)

schemaVersion:

SCHEDULE 13G

CUSIP Number(s): 527064208

1

Names of Reporting Persons

Ariel Investments, LLC

2

Check the appropriate box if a member of a Group (see instructions)

(a)
(b)

3

Sec Use Only

4

Citizenship or Place of Organization

DELAWARE

Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With:

5	Sole Voting Power 2,350,873.00
6	Shared Voting Power 0.00
7	Sole Dispositive Power 2,416,405.00
8	Shared Dispositive Power 0.00

9

Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

2,416,405.00

10

Check box if the aggregate amount in row (9) excludes certain shares (See Instructions)

11

Percent of class represented by amount in row (9)

25.8 %

12

Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)

IA

SCHEDULE 13G

Item 1.
(a)	Name of issuer: Leslie's Inc
(b)	Address of issuer's principal executive offices: 2005 E. INDIAN SCHOOL ROAD, PHOENIX, AZ, 85016, US
Item 2.
(a)	Name of person filing: Ariel Investments, LLC
(b)	Address or principal business office or, if none, residence: 200 E. Randolph Street, Suite 2900, Chicago, 60601, United States
(c)	Citizenship: DELAWARE
(d)	Title of class of securities: Common Stock SH NEW
(e)	CUSIP No.: 527064208
Item 3.	If this statement is filed pursuant to §§ 240.13d-1(b) or 240.13d-2(b) or (c), check whether the person filing is a:
(a)	Broker or dealer registered under section 15 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o);
(b)	Bank as defined in section 3(a)(6) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c);
(c)	Insurance company as defined in section 3(a)(19) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c);
(d)	Investment company registered under section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-8);
(e)	An investment adviser in accordance with § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E);
(f)	An employee benefit plan or endowment fund in accordance with § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(F);
(g)	A parent holding company or control person in accordance with § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G);
(h)	A savings associations as defined in Section 3(b) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813);
(i)	A church plan that is excluded from the definition of an investment company under section 3(c)(14) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-3);
(j)	A non-U.S. institution in accordance with § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J). If filing as a non-U.S. institution in accordance with § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J), please specify the type of institution:
(k)	Group, in accordance with Rule 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(K).
Item 4.	Ownership
(a)	Amount beneficially owned: 2,416,405
(b)	Percent of class: 25.8 %
(c)	Number of shares as to which the person has:
	(i) Sole power to vote or to direct the vote: 2,350,873
	(ii) Shared power to vote or to direct the vote: 0
	(iii) Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of: 2,416,405
	(iv) Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of: 0
Item 5.	Ownership of 5 Percent or Less of a Class.
	Not Applicable
Item 6.	Ownership of more than 5 Percent on Behalf of Another Person.
	If any other person is known to have the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, such securities, a statement to that effect should be included in response to this item and, if such interest relates to more than 5 percent of the class, such person should be identified. A listing of the shareholders of an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 or the beneficiaries of employee benefit plan, pension fund or endowment fund is not required. Ariel Investments, LLC's adviser clients have the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, all securities reported upon this Schedule. Ariel Fund, a series of Ariel Investment Trust, an open-end management investment company, owns 2,015,316 shares of the Issuer which represents an economic interest in more than 5% of the subject securities reported upon this Schedule.
Item 7.	Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the Security Being Reported on by the Parent Holding Company or Control Person.
	Not Applicable
Item 8.	Identification and Classification of Members of the Group.
	Not Applicable
Item 9.	Notice of Dissolution of Group.
	Not Applicable

Item 10.

Certifications:

By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect, other than activities solely in connection with a nomination under § 240.14a-11.

SIGNATURE

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

Ariel Investments, LLC

Signature:	James Prescott
Name/Title:	Vice President, Compliance
Date:	08/06/2026