AdvisorShares Investments LLC Invests $483,000 in Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASO)

AdvisorShares Investments LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASO - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 8,400 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $483,000.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of ASO. William Blair Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in Academy Sports and Outdoors during the 4th quarter valued at $52,402,000. Norges Bank purchased a new position in Academy Sports and Outdoors during the 4th quarter worth $47,436,000. Stephens Investment Management Group LLC increased its position in Academy Sports and Outdoors by 331.4% during the 4th quarter. Stephens Investment Management Group LLC now owns 959,680 shares of the company's stock valued at $55,210,000 after buying an additional 737,212 shares in the last quarter. Hood River Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in Academy Sports and Outdoors in the fourth quarter worth about $42,320,000. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. grew its stake in shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors by 77.2% during the fourth quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 1,252,699 shares of the company's stock worth $72,068,000 after acquiring an additional 545,778 shares during the last quarter.

Academy Sports and Outdoors Price Performance

Shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors stock traded down $0.51 on Monday, hitting $38.58. The company's stock had a trading volume of 258,941 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,620,869. The company has a market capitalization of $2.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.34, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 1.29. Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. has a 1 year low of $33.34 and a 1 year high of $64.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25, a quick ratio of 0.32 and a current ratio of 1.57. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $42.83 and a 200-day moving average price of $49.41.

Academy Sports and Outdoors (NASDAQ:ASO - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, March 20th. The company reported $1.96 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.82 by $0.14. The business had revenue of $1.68 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.67 billion. Academy Sports and Outdoors had a return on equity of 23.32% and a net margin of 7.49%. The business's quarterly revenue was down 6.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.21 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. will post 5.59 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Academy Sports and Outdoors Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 17th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 25th were paid a dividend of $0.13 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, March 25th. This represents a $0.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.35%. This is a boost from Academy Sports and Outdoors's previous quarterly dividend of $0.11. Academy Sports and Outdoors's payout ratio is currently 9.01%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts recently commented on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group set a $60.00 target price on shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors in a research note on Thursday, March 20th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors from $43.00 to $38.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 30th. Wedbush reduced their target price on Academy Sports and Outdoors from $65.00 to $60.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, March 21st. Oppenheimer cut their price objective on Academy Sports and Outdoors from $85.00 to $70.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, March 21st. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on Academy Sports and Outdoors from $52.00 to $54.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Friday, March 21st. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $57.81.

About Academy Sports and Outdoors

Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc, through its subsidiaries, operates as a sporting goods and outdoor recreational retailer in the United States. The company outdoor division comprises camping products, such as coolers and drinkware, and camping accessories and equipment,; fishing products, including marine equipment and fishing rods, reels, and baits and equipment; and hunting products, which includes firearms, ammunition, archery and archery equipment, camouflage apparel, waders, shooting accessories, gun safes, optics, airguns, and hunting equipment.