Academy Sports and Outdoors (NASDAQ:ASO) Releases FY 2026 Earnings Guidance

Key Points

• FY2026 guidance: Academy raised its full-year outlook to EPS of 6.10–6.60 (above the ~5.98 consensus) and revenue of $6.2B–$6.4B, signaling stronger-than-expected full-year profitability.
• The company missed the recent quarter (EPS $1.97 vs. $2.05 expected) and provided Q1 revenue guidance roughly in line (~$1.4B) but did not give a Q1 EPS figure, leaving near-term earnings visibility incomplete.
• Analyst reaction is mixed: Guggenheim raised its price target to $65 with a "buy," while several brokers trimmed targets; the consensus rating is Hold with an average target of $58.43.

Academy Sports and Outdoors (NASDAQ:ASO - Get Free Report) updated its FY 2026 earnings guidance on Thursday. The company provided earnings per share (EPS) guidance of 6.100-6.600 for the period, compared to the consensus estimate of 5.980. The company issued revenue guidance of $6.2 billion-$6.4 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $6.2 billion. Academy Sports and Outdoors also updated its Q1 2026 guidance to EPS.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have commented on ASO. UBS Group decreased their price target on shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors from $60.00 to $56.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, March 18th. Truist Financial decreased their price target on shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors from $59.00 to $52.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, March 17th. Guggenheim boosted their price target on shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors from $60.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday. Barclays boosted their price target on shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors from $49.00 to $55.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a "buy" rating and issued a $61.00 price target on shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors in a research note on Tuesday, March 17th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eleven have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Academy Sports and Outdoors currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $58.43.

Academy Sports and Outdoors Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ ASO traded down $0.52 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $55.68. 1,385,559 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,566,734. The company's 50-day moving average is $57.31 and its two-hundred day moving average is $53.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22, a current ratio of 1.89 and a quick ratio of 0.44. The company has a market capitalization of $3.58 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.01, a PEG ratio of 0.89 and a beta of 1.21. Academy Sports and Outdoors has a 1 year low of $34.77 and a 1 year high of $62.44.

Academy Sports and Outdoors (NASDAQ:ASO - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, March 17th. The company reported $1.97 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.05 by ($0.08). The business had revenue of $1.72 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $1.76 billion. Academy Sports and Outdoors had a net margin of 6.22% and a return on equity of 17.88%. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 2.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.96 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Academy Sports and Outdoors will post 5.59 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Academy Sports and Outdoors Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 20th will be given a dividend of $0.15 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 20th. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.1%. This is a positive change from Academy Sports and Outdoors's previous quarterly dividend of $0.13. Academy Sports and Outdoors's dividend payout ratio is currently 10.79%.

More Academy Sports and Outdoors News

Here are the key news stories impacting Academy Sports and Outdoors this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Company raised FY2026 guidance: management now expects EPS of 6.10–6.60 (above the ~5.98 consensus) and revenue of $6.2B–$6.4B (vs. ~$6.2B consensus). This beats street EPS expectations and signals stronger-than-expected full-year profitability.
• Positive Sentiment: Guggenheim raised its price target to $65 and kept a "buy" rating — a meaningful upside signal from a major shop that can support buyer interest. Guggenheim raises PT to $65
• Positive Sentiment: Company presentations and investor-day materials (slides and transcripts) were published this week, providing detail on strategy, margin opportunity and capital allocation — useful for analysts and likely to support conviction among buy-side attendees. Analyst/Investor Day Slideshow Analyst/Investor Day Transcript J.P. Morgan presentation
• Neutral Sentiment: Q1 FY2026 guidance provided revenue guidance (~$1.4B) roughly in line with consensus, but the company did not give an EPS figure for the quarter — leaves near-term earnings visibility incomplete.
• Neutral Sentiment: Other brokers adjusted targets: Barclays raised its PT to $55 and Wells Fargo to $56 but both maintain "equal weight" ratings (their implied targets show limited upside vs. current levels), a mixed signal for near-term momentum. Barclays/Wells Fargo notes
• Neutral Sentiment: Media and analyst pieces highlight conflicting views across consumer cyclical coverage — useful context but not a direct catalyst. Globe & Mail: Conflicting sentiments AmericanBankingNews analysis MSN: Positive guidance update

Institutional Trading of Academy Sports and Outdoors

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC raised its position in Academy Sports and Outdoors by 12.1% in the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 1,742 shares of the company's stock worth $86,000 after purchasing an additional 188 shares during the period. CIBC Asset Management Inc raised its position in Academy Sports and Outdoors by 3.5% in the 4th quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc now owns 6,721 shares of the company's stock worth $336,000 after purchasing an additional 228 shares during the period. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System raised its position in Academy Sports and Outdoors by 2.5% in the 4th quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System now owns 9,792 shares of the company's stock worth $489,000 after purchasing an additional 235 shares during the period. Quadrant Capital Group LLC raised its position in Academy Sports and Outdoors by 4.5% in the 4th quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 5,610 shares of the company's stock worth $280,000 after purchasing an additional 241 shares during the period. Finally, Lazard Asset Management LLC raised its position in Academy Sports and Outdoors by 12.4% in the 2nd quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 3,270 shares of the company's stock worth $146,000 after purchasing an additional 360 shares during the period.

Academy Sports and Outdoors Company Profile

Academy Sports and Outdoors is a leading specialty retailer of sporting goods and outdoor gear, operating more than 260 stores across the United States. Headquartered in Katy, Texas, the company offers a broad assortment of merchandise spanning athletic footwear and apparel, team sports equipment, camping and outdoor recreation products, hunting and fishing supplies, and fitness accessories. In addition to its brick-and-mortar footprint, Academy serves customers through its e-commerce platform, offering online ordering, in-store pickup, and home delivery options.

The company's product portfolio includes seasonal and year-round categories designed to meet the needs of both casual enthusiasts and serious athletes.

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