Dive Brief:

• Water treatment firm Pentair has taken on board its former finance chief Bob Fishman on an interim basis following the abrupt resignation of his successor, Nicholas Brazis, after just five months in the role, according to a Tuesday press release and securities filing.
• Brazis, who succeeded Fishman in the top finance seat in March, left Pentair effective July 10 to take the role of CFO at cable and wire manufacturer Southwire, according to a Wednesday press release. Fishman took the interim seat effective immediately, according to the Tuesday release, as the business, which provides home pool and spa as well as water filtration products, searches for a permanent successor.
• “During Bob’s six year tenure at Pentair, he helped to strengthen our financial foundation and enhance our operating discipline,” Pentair CEO and President John Stauch said in a statement in the press release. “Given his deep financial expertise, clear understanding of our business and strong relationships across Pentair and the financial community, I am confident he will step back in seamlessly as we execute on our key strategic and financial priorities to build long-term value.”

Dive Insight:

Fishman, 63, previously served six years as Pentair’s CFO ending with the appointment of Brazis as his successor, according to an October 2025 filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission announcing the CFO transition.

Before joining the London-based company in 2020, Fishman served in key financial roles for NCR Corporation, including as CFO and a stint as its corporate controller.

In association with his appointment to the interim CFO role, Fishman will receive a monthly salary of $125,000. He will also receive an award of restricted stock units valued at $1 million, set to vest one year after the date of the grant “regardless of whether Mr. Fishman is employed by the company,” according to the SEC filing. Additionally, the severance payments Fishman is entitled to receive in connection with his previous resignation will be suspended during his term as interim.

Pentair’s stock dropped from approximately $75 per share to $65 per share Wednesday on news of the CFO transition and the release of preliminary earnings the water treatment firm released Tuesday. 

As part of its Tuesday release, Pentair separately reported preliminary results for its second quarter of 2026 and updated its guidance for its full year 2026 results. Pentair is expecting net income from continuing operations of about $130 million for its second quarter, compared to first quarter net income of $160.8 million, the company said.

Sales are also anticipated to be approximately $980 million, a 17% drop from previous guidance — a predicted slump the company largely attributes to the continued adverse impact from efforts to destock inventory in its pool segment.

For the full year, Pentair expects sales to decline between 4% to 7%, largely because of the unfavorable performance of its pool segment.

The business is also expecting to receive refunds of tariffs paid under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of about $35 million for its second quarter, and between $35 million to $50 million in such refunds for the full year.

Pentair is expected to report its full second quarter earnings on July 28.