Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH Takes Position in Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASO)

Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH bought a new position in shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASO - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund bought 95,958 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $5,520,000. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH owned 0.14% of Academy Sports and Outdoors as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. William Blair Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors during the fourth quarter valued at $52,402,000. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors in the fourth quarter worth about $47,436,000. Stephens Investment Management Group LLC lifted its position in shares of 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 worth $55,210,000 after purchasing an additional 737,212 shares during the last quarter. Hood River Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors during the 4th quarter worth about $42,320,000. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. lifted its position in shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors by 77.2% during the 4th quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 1,252,699 shares of the company's stock worth $72,068,000 after purchasing an additional 545,778 shares during the last quarter.

Academy Sports and Outdoors Trading Up 5.0%

Academy Sports and Outdoors stock traded up $2.02 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $42.47. 725,353 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,648,023. The company has a quick ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 1.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25. Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. has a 12 month low of $33.34 and a 12 month high of $64.62. The firm's fifty day simple moving average is $40.35 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $47.97. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.83 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.98, a PEG ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 1.29.

Academy Sports and Outdoors (NASDAQ:ASO - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, March 20th. The company reported $1.96 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.82 by $0.14. Academy Sports and Outdoors had a return on equity of 23.32% and a net margin of 7.49%. The company had revenue of $1.68 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.67 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.21 EPS. The firm's revenue for the quarter was down 6.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts forecast that Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. will post 5.59 EPS for the current year.

Academy Sports and Outdoors Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 17th. Investors of record on Tuesday, March 25th were given a $0.13 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, March 25th. This represents a $0.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.22%. This is an increase from Academy Sports and Outdoors's previous quarterly dividend of $0.11. Academy Sports and Outdoors's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 9.01%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have commented on ASO shares. Jefferies Financial Group set a $60.00 price target on Academy Sports and Outdoors in a report on Thursday, March 20th. Evercore ISI decreased their price target on Academy Sports and Outdoors from $54.00 to $53.00 and set an "in-line" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, April 1st. Citigroup lowered their target price on Academy Sports and Outdoors from $65.00 to $60.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, March 17th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on Academy Sports and Outdoors from $38.00 to $43.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 14th. Finally, UBS Group reduced their price target on Academy Sports and Outdoors from $58.00 to $55.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, March 18th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Academy Sports and Outdoors presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $57.75.

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.