Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASO) Shares Acquired by Stephens Investment Management Group LLC

Stephens Investment Management Group LLC raised its stake in shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASO) by 331.4% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 959,680 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 737,212 shares during the period. Stephens Investment Management Group LLC’s holdings in Academy Sports and Outdoors were worth $55,210,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. CWM LLC grew its stake in shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors by 4.6% during the 3rd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 4,480 shares of the company’s stock valued at $261,000 after buying an additional 196 shares during the period. Simmons Bank grew its position in Academy Sports and Outdoors by 1.9% during the third quarter. Simmons Bank now owns 10,860 shares of the company’s stock valued at $634,000 after acquiring an additional 200 shares during the period. HighTower Advisors LLC increased its stake in Academy Sports and Outdoors by 6.2% during the third quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 5,553 shares of the company’s stock worth $324,000 after acquiring an additional 323 shares during the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors by 14.8% in the 4th quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 2,591 shares of the company’s stock worth $151,000 after purchasing an additional 334 shares during the period. Finally, Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors by 3.9% in the 4th quarter. Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. now owns 9,608 shares of the company’s stock valued at $553,000 after purchasing an additional 362 shares in the last quarter.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms recently issued reports on ASO. TD Cowen increased their target price on shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors from $54.00 to $61.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Telsey Advisory Group dropped their price objective on shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors from $65.00 to $60.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, December 5th. Robert W. Baird reduced their target price on shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors from $68.00 to $65.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. Wedbush reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $65.00 price target on shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors in a research report on Wednesday, December 11th. Finally, Citigroup assumed coverage on Academy Sports and Outdoors in a research report on Wednesday, December 18th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $65.00 price objective on the stock. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $61.67.

Academy Sports and Outdoors Trading Down 2.8 %

Shares of ASO opened at $50.46 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25, a quick ratio of 0.32 and a current ratio of 1.57. Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. has a one year low of $44.73 and a one year high of $75.73. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $54.64 and a 200 day moving average price of $53.89. The company has a market capitalization of $3.50 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.29, a P/E/G ratio of 1.04 and a beta of 1.23.

Academy Sports and Outdoors (NASDAQ:ASO) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, December 10th. The company reported $0.98 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.28 by ($0.30). The business had revenue of $1.34 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.39 billion. Academy Sports and Outdoors had a net margin of 7.49% and a return on equity of 23.32%. The business’s quarterly revenue was down 3.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.38 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts forecast that Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. will post 5.59 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Academy Sports and Outdoors Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 15th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, December 18th were paid a $0.11 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, December 18th. This represents a $0.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.87%. Academy Sports and Outdoors’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 7.22%.

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.