Academy Sports and Outdoors (NASDAQ:ASO) Issues Quarterly Earnings Results, Beats Expectations By $0.24 EPS

Academy Sports and Outdoors (NASDAQ:ASO) released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday. The company reported $2.31 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.07 by $0.24, FiscalAI reports. Academy Sports and Outdoors had a net margin of 6.24% and a return on equity of 17.85%. The firm had revenue of $1.65 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.65 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.94 earnings per share. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 3.0% on a year-over-year basis. Academy Sports and Outdoors updated its FY 2026 guidance to 6.500-6.900 EPS.

Here are the key takeaways from Academy Sports and Outdoors’ conference call:

• Neutral Sentiment: Second-quarter sales rose 3% to approximately $1.6 billion, while comparable sales declined 0.4%. E-commerce remained a key strength, increasing 12.8%, but traffic from households earning under $50,000 fell at a high-single-digit rate as inflation pressured discretionary spending.
• Positive Sentiment: Academy reaffirmed full-year sales guidance of $6.23 billion–$6.36 billion, or 3%–5% growth, with comparable sales ranging from flat to up 2%. It raised gross-margin guidance to 35.5%–36.0% and EPS guidance to $6.05–$6.45, supported by a lower share count.
• Positive Sentiment: New stores, digital growth, and loyalty initiatives are gaining traction: comparable newer stores rose mid-single digits, dot-com sales increased 14% year to date, and Academy credit-card spending climbed about 20% in the quarter. The company now expects more than 16 million myAcademy members by year-end.
• Positive Sentiment: Management is reinvesting tariff-refund proceeds into lower prices, labor, and marketing, which it says has stimulated demand and improved value perception. Newness initiatives—including Hoka, expanded Ariat and Chubbies assortments, suppressors, and Redfield firearms—are intended to drive traffic and broaden the customer base.
• Negative Sentiment: Management expects the consumer backdrop to remain challenging, particularly for lower-income households, and anticipates a more promotional holiday period. Tariff refunds provided a substantial but nonrecurring second-quarter gross-margin benefit, while elevated fuel and freight costs and pricing investments are expected to pressure margins in the second half.

Academy Sports and Outdoors Stock Performance

Academy Sports and Outdoors stock traded up $5.14 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $49.85. The stock had a trading volume of 3,295,743 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,527,974. The company has a 50-day moving average of $46.75 and a two-hundred day moving average of $51.71. The company has a quick ratio of 0.36, a current ratio of 1.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23. Academy Sports and Outdoors has a fifty-two week low of $41.29 and a fifty-two week high of $62.44. The company has a market cap of $3.09 billion, a PE ratio of 8.78, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.66 and a beta of 1.02.

Academy Sports and Outdoors Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 14th. Investors of record on Wednesday, September 16th will be given a dividend of $0.15 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, September 16th. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.2%. Academy Sports and Outdoors’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 10.56%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on ASO shares. Telsey Advisory Group cut their target price on shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors from $65.00 to $60.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, September 2nd. Barclays dropped their target price 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. UBS Group reaffirmed a “neutral” rating on shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors in a report on Wednesday, September 2nd. BMO Capital Markets assumed coverage on shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors in a research report on Tuesday. They issued a “market perform” rating and a $42.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Stephens initiated coverage on Academy Sports and Outdoors in a report on Wednesday, May 13th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $78.00 price target on the stock. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $57.14.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Academy Sports and Outdoors

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC increased its stake in Academy Sports and Outdoors by 12.1% in the fourth quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 1,742 shares of the company’s stock valued at $86,000 after acquiring an additional 188 shares during the period. CIBC Asset Management Inc lifted its position in shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors by 3.5% during the 4th quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc now owns 6,721 shares of the company’s stock worth $336,000 after buying an additional 228 shares during the period. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System boosted its stake in Academy Sports and Outdoors by 2.5% in the 4th quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System now owns 9,792 shares of the company’s stock valued at $489,000 after buying an additional 235 shares in the last quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC grew its position in Academy Sports and Outdoors by 4.5% in the fourth quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 5,610 shares of the company’s stock valued at $280,000 after acquiring an additional 241 shares during the period. Finally, Lazard Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors by 12.4% during the second quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 3,270 shares of the company’s stock valued at $146,000 after acquiring an additional 360 shares during the period.

Trending Headlines about Academy Sports and Outdoors

Here are the key news stories impacting Academy Sports and Outdoors this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Academy reported adjusted second-quarter EPS of $2.31, up 19.1% year over year and above analyst estimates of approximately $2.07-$2.10. GAAP diluted EPS was $2.17, up 17.3%. Academy Sports + Outdoors Reports Second Quarter Fiscal 2026 Results
• Positive Sentiment: The retailer raised fiscal 2026 EPS guidance to $6.50-$6.90, above the consensus estimate of $6.31, while maintaining revenue guidance of $6.2 billion-$6.4 billion. The improved outlook was attributed to cost discipline and e-commerce momentum. Academy Sports + Outdoors raises annual profit forecast on cost discipline, e-commerce growth
• Positive Sentiment: Second-quarter revenue rose 3.0% to $1.65 billion, in line with expectations, while e-commerce sales climbed 12.8%. New stores delivered positive comparable sales in the mid-single digits, supporting the company’s expansion strategy. Academy Sports + Outdoors Reports Second Quarter Fiscal 2026 Results
• Neutral Sentiment: Academy opened three stores during the quarter in Pennsylvania and Tennessee and is scheduled to participate in Goldman Sachs’ Global Retailing Conference on September 14-15. The event could provide additional detail on consumer demand, tariffs and expansion plans. Academy Sports + Outdoors Announces Participation in Upcoming Investor Conference
• Negative Sentiment: Comparable sales declined 0.4%, indicating that underlying traffic and demand at established stores remain soft. Additionally, adjusted EPS benefited by approximately $0.06 from a net tariff refund, including reinvestments, which may not fully recur. Academy Sports + Outdoors Reports Second Quarter Fiscal 2026 Results

Academy Sports and Outdoors Company Profile

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.