ZWJ Investment Counsel Inc. Makes New $219,000 Investment in Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. $ASO

Key Points

• ZWJ Investment Counsel Inc. has acquired a new stake in Academy Sports and Outdoors, investing approximately $219,000 for 4,881 shares.
• Academy Sports and Outdoors recently declared a quarterly dividend of $0.13 per share, with an annualized rate of $0.52 and a yield of 1.0%.
• Despite recent ratings changes from various analysts, Academy Sports and Outdoors maintains an average price target of $58.11 with nine analysts rating it as a Buy.

ZWJ Investment Counsel Inc. acquired a new stake in Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASO - Free Report) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund acquired 4,881 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $219,000.

Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in ASO. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its stake in Academy Sports and Outdoors by 10,181.5% in the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 127,799 shares of the company's stock valued at $5,829,000 after purchasing an additional 126,556 shares during the last quarter. Washington Capital Management Inc. increased its stake in Academy Sports and Outdoors by 21.0% in the first quarter. Washington Capital Management Inc. now owns 12,100 shares of the company's stock valued at $552,000 after purchasing an additional 2,100 shares during the last quarter. SummerHaven Investment Management LLC increased its stake in Academy Sports and Outdoors by 1.9% in the first quarter. SummerHaven Investment Management LLC now owns 14,874 shares of the company's stock valued at $678,000 after purchasing an additional 275 shares during the last quarter. Mission Wealth Management LP increased its stake in Academy Sports and Outdoors by 13.3% in the first quarter. Mission Wealth Management LP now owns 5,110 shares of the company's stock valued at $233,000 after purchasing an additional 600 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. increased its stake in Academy Sports and Outdoors by 203.0% in the first quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 2,121 shares of the company's stock valued at $97,000 after purchasing an additional 1,421 shares during the last quarter.

Academy Sports and Outdoors Stock Up 1.7%

ASO opened at $53.85 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.33, a current ratio of 1.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $50.94 and a 200-day moving average price of $46.37. Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. has a twelve month low of $33.34 and a twelve month high of $61.25. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.08, a PEG ratio of 1.08 and a beta of 1.28.

Academy Sports and Outdoors Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 9th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, September 11th will be issued a dividend of $0.13 per share. This represents a $0.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 11th. Academy Sports and Outdoors's payout ratio is presently 9.74%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts recently commented on the company. Weiss Ratings reiterated a "hold (c)" rating on shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors in a research note on Saturday, September 27th. Citigroup downgraded Academy Sports and Outdoors from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and lowered their price target for the company from $55.00 to $50.00 in a research report on Wednesday, September 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on Academy Sports and Outdoors from $54.00 to $56.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 3rd. Truist Financial boosted their price target on Academy Sports and Outdoors from $47.00 to $50.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 3rd. Finally, UBS Group reissued a "neutral" rating and set a $52.00 price target on shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors in a research report on Sunday, August 31st. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eleven have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Academy Sports and Outdoors presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $58.11.

Academy Sports and Outdoors Company Profile

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.

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