Heartland Advisors Inc. Makes New Investment in Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. $ASO

Key Points

• Heartland Advisors initiated a stake in Academy Sports and Outdoors during the second quarter, purchasing 563,941 shares valued at approximately $26.6 million. The position represents about 0.91% of ASO and 1.2% of Heartland’s portfolio.
• Analysts have generally maintained a cautious outlook: ASO has an average “Hold” rating and a $58.07 price target, while several firms recently lowered their targets to between $50 and $60.
• Academy reported quarterly earnings of $0.93 per share, slightly beating estimates, with revenue of $1.44 billion—up 6.7% year over year. The company also pays a quarterly dividend of $0.15 per share, or $0.60 annually, yielding about 1.3%.

Heartland Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASO - Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund bought 563,941 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $26,579,000. Academy Sports and Outdoors comprises about 1.2% of Heartland Advisors Inc.'s investment portfolio, making the stock its 8th largest holding. Heartland Advisors Inc. owned about 0.91% of Academy Sports and Outdoors as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Kingsview Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Academy Sports and Outdoors in the fourth quarter valued at $2,660,000. Systematic Financial Management LP grew its position in shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors by 22.7% during the fourth quarter. Systematic Financial Management LP now owns 319,748 shares of the company's stock worth $15,975,000 after acquiring an additional 59,051 shares during the last quarter. King Luther Capital Management Corp increased its holdings in shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors by 12.6% in the 4th quarter. King Luther Capital Management Corp now owns 1,573,073 shares of the company's stock worth $78,591,000 after acquiring an additional 176,463 shares during the period. Delphi Management Inc. MA bought a new stake in Academy Sports and Outdoors in the 1st quarter valued at about $1,190,000. Finally, Louisiana State Employees Retirement System bought a new stake in Academy Sports and Outdoors in the 1st quarter valued at about $1,671,000.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have commented on ASO shares. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their target price on shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors from $67.00 to $60.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, June 10th. Truist Financial decreased their price objective on Academy Sports and Outdoors from $54.00 to $52.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, June 10th. Weiss Ratings cut Academy Sports and Outdoors from a "hold (c)" rating to a "hold (c-)" rating in a research report on Thursday, June 11th. Wells Fargo & Company reaffirmed a "hold" rating on shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors in a research note on Wednesday, June 10th. Finally, Barclays decreased their price target on Academy Sports and Outdoors from $55.00 to $50.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, June 11th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating and ten have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $58.07.

Academy Sports and Outdoors Price Performance

NASDAQ ASO opened at $45.83 on Friday. Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. has a 12 month low of $41.29 and a 12 month high of $62.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23, a current ratio of 1.68 and a quick ratio of 0.36. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.84 billion, a PE ratio of 8.07, a P/E/G ratio of 0.66 and a beta of 1.06. The company's 50 day simple moving average is $48.12 and its 200 day simple moving average is $52.97.

Academy Sports and Outdoors (NASDAQ:ASO - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, June 9th. The company reported $0.93 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.91 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $1.44 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.44 billion. Academy Sports and Outdoors had a return on equity of 17.85% and a net margin of 6.24%.The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 6.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.76 earnings per share. Academy Sports and Outdoors has set its FY 2026 guidance at 6.400-6.800 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. will post 6.08 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Academy Sports and Outdoors Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, July 16th. Investors of record on Thursday, June 18th were issued a dividend of $0.15 per share. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 18th. Academy Sports and Outdoors's payout ratio is presently 10.56%.

About Academy Sports and Outdoors

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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