Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASO) Given Consensus Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

Shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASO) have earned an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the sixteen analysts that are covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $57.81.

A number of analysts recently weighed in on ASO shares. Oppenheimer lowered their target price on shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors from $85.00 to $70.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, March 21st. Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on Academy Sports and Outdoors from $60.00 to $55.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, March 21st. Telsey Advisory Group restated an “outperform” rating and set a $60.00 target price on shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors in a research report on Monday, March 17th. B. Riley lowered their price target on Academy Sports and Outdoors from $70.00 to $65.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, March 21st. Finally, TD Cowen lifted their price objective on Academy Sports and Outdoors from $54.00 to $61.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 8th.

Academy Sports and Outdoors Stock Up 4.0 %

Shares of ASO opened at $39.09 on Friday. Academy Sports and Outdoors has a 52 week low of $33.34 and a 52 week high of $64.62. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.42, a P/E/G ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 1.26. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $42.83 and a 200-day simple moving average of $49.45. 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 (NASDAQ:ASO) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, March 20th. The company reported $1.96 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.82 by $0.14. The company had revenue of $1.68 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.67 billion. Academy Sports and Outdoors had a return on equity of 23.32% and a net margin of 7.49%. The company’s quarterly revenue was down 6.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.21 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that Academy Sports and Outdoors will post 5.59 earnings per share for the current year.

Academy Sports and Outdoors Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 17th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 25th were paid a $0.13 dividend. This is a boost from Academy Sports and Outdoors’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.11. This represents a $0.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.33%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, March 25th. Academy Sports and Outdoors’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 9.01%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Academy Sports and Outdoors

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in ASO. Virtu Financial LLC acquired a new position in Academy Sports and Outdoors during the 3rd quarter valued at about $306,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB lifted its holdings in Academy Sports and Outdoors by 94.7% in the third quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB now owns 8,300 shares of the company’s stock valued at $484,000 after buying an additional 4,038 shares during the period. Franklin Resources Inc. boosted its stake in Academy Sports and Outdoors by 0.6% in the third quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 95,822 shares of the company’s stock valued at $5,139,000 after acquiring an additional 576 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its holdings in Academy Sports and Outdoors by 2.8% during the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 326,132 shares of the company’s stock worth $19,033,000 after acquiring an additional 8,848 shares during the period. Finally, Doliver Advisors LP raised its position in shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors by 43.6% during the 4th quarter. Doliver Advisors LP now owns 7,735 shares of the company’s stock valued at $445,000 after acquiring an additional 2,350 shares during the last quarter.

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.