Systematic Financial Management LP Increases Position in Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. $ASO

Systematic Financial Management LP raised its position in Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASO) by 22.7% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 319,748 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 59,051 shares during the period. Systematic Financial Management LP’s holdings in Academy Sports and Outdoors were worth $15,975,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its position in shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors by 1.2% in the 3rd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 3,879,904 shares of the company’s stock valued at $194,077,000 after purchasing an additional 46,305 shares during the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors by 6.1% in the 3rd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 2,176,853 shares of the company’s stock valued at $108,886,000 after buying an additional 125,398 shares in the last quarter. Royce & Associates LP boosted its holdings in shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors by 4.3% in the 3rd quarter. Royce & Associates LP now owns 1,329,347 shares of the company’s stock valued at $66,494,000 after buying an additional 55,210 shares in the last quarter. Boston Partners boosted its holdings in shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors by 85.5% in the 3rd quarter. Boston Partners now owns 1,302,141 shares of the company’s stock valued at $65,416,000 after buying an additional 600,335 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE boosted its holdings in shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors by 44.0% in the 3rd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 781,116 shares of the company’s stock valued at $39,071,000 after buying an additional 238,778 shares in the last quarter.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Jeffrey C. Tweedy sold 4,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, April 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.00, for a total value of $240,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 7,835 shares in the company, valued at approximately $470,100. This trade represents a 33.80% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders own 3.62% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

ASO has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors from $52.00 to $56.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Wednesday, April 8th. Jefferies Financial Group restated a “buy” rating and issued a $61.00 target price on shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors in a report on Tuesday, March 17th. Stephens initiated coverage on shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors in a report on Wednesday, May 13th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $78.00 target price for the company. B. Riley Financial restated a “buy” rating on shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors in a report on Wednesday, April 8th. Finally, Telsey Advisory Group restated an “outperform” rating and issued a $65.00 target price on shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors in a report on Tuesday, March 17th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating and eleven have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Academy Sports and Outdoors has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $59.87.

Academy Sports and Outdoors Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:ASO opened at $52.52 on Monday. The stock has a market cap of $3.39 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.45, a P/E/G ratio of 0.81 and a beta of 1.06. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $54.57 and a 200 day moving average price of $54.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22, a current ratio of 1.89 and a quick ratio of 0.44. Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. has a 1-year low of $39.87 and a 1-year high of $62.44.

Academy Sports and Outdoors (NASDAQ:ASO) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, March 17th. The company reported $1.97 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.05 by ($0.08). The business had revenue of $1.72 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.76 billion. Academy Sports and Outdoors had a return on equity of 17.88% and a net margin of 6.22%.The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 2.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.96 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. will post 5.95 EPS for the current year.

Academy Sports and Outdoors Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 20th were issued a $0.15 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, March 20th. This is an increase from Academy Sports and Outdoors’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.13. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.1%. Academy Sports and Outdoors’s dividend payout ratio is presently 10.79%.

About Academy Sports and Outdoors

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.