Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASO) Short Interest Update

Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASO) was the recipient of a significant decrease in short interest during the month of February. As of February 27th, there was short interest totaling 6,039,004 shares, a decrease of 27.0% from the February 12th total of 8,270,902 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 1,251,787 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 4.8 days. Approximately 9.4% of the company’s shares are short sold. Approximately 9.4% of the company’s shares are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 1,251,787 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 4.8 days.

Academy Sports and Outdoors Trading Up 1.5%

Shares of ASO stock opened at $56.34 on Monday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 1.71 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22. Academy Sports and Outdoors has a fifty-two week low of $33.34 and a fifty-two week high of $62.44. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $57.98 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $52.49. The stock has a market cap of $3.76 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.30, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.98 and a beta of 1.23.

Academy Sports and Outdoors Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 10th. Investors of record on Friday, March 20th will be issued a $0.15 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 20th. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.1%. This is an increase from Academy Sports and Outdoors’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.13. Academy Sports and Outdoors’s payout ratio is currently 9.51%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on ASO shares. Telsey Advisory Group reiterated an “outperform” rating and issued a $65.00 price target on shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors in a report on Wednesday, March 11th. Barclays upped their price objective on Academy Sports and Outdoors from $51.00 to $59.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on Academy Sports and Outdoors from $52.00 to $55.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 15th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c-)” rating on shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors in a report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Truist Financial set a $59.00 price target on Academy Sports and Outdoors in a research report on Wednesday, January 14th. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and ten have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Academy Sports and Outdoors has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $60.22.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Royal Bank of Canada grew its stake in shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors by 8.5% in the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 59,775 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,726,000 after buying an additional 4,665 shares in the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. lifted its position in Academy Sports and Outdoors by 3.2% during the 1st quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 40,472 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,846,000 after acquiring an additional 1,257 shares in the last quarter. United Services Automobile Association acquired a new position in Academy Sports and Outdoors during the 1st quarter worth approximately $223,000. Strs Ohio purchased a new position in Academy Sports and Outdoors in the 1st quarter worth approximately $128,000. Finally, Los Angeles Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in Academy Sports and Outdoors by 8.0% in the 2nd quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 6,082 shares of the company’s stock worth $273,000 after acquiring an additional 450 shares during the period.

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.