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

Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASO) was the target of a significant growth in short interest in December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totalling 8,720,000 shares, a growth of 6.7% from the December 15th total of 8,170,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 1,550,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 5.6 days. Approximately 12.7% of the company’s stock are short sold.

Academy Sports and Outdoors Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:ASO opened at $52.58 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 1.57, a quick ratio of 0.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25. Academy Sports and Outdoors has a twelve month low of $44.73 and a twelve month high of $75.73. The company’s 50 day moving average is $53.02 and its 200 day moving average is $53.89. The company has a market cap of $3.65 billion, a PE ratio of 8.63, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.29 and a beta of 1.25.

Academy Sports and Outdoors (NASDAQ:ASO) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, December 10th. The company reported $0.98 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.28 by ($0.30). Academy Sports and Outdoors had a return on equity of 23.32% and a net margin of 7.49%. The business had revenue of $1.34 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.39 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.38 EPS. The company’s revenue for the quarter was down 3.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Academy Sports and Outdoors will post 5.62 EPS for the current year.

Academy Sports and Outdoors Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 15th. Investors of record on Wednesday, December 18th were issued a dividend of $0.11 per share. This represents a $0.44 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.84%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, December 18th. Academy Sports and Outdoors’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 7.22%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors in the third quarter worth about $28,000. V Square Quantitative Management LLC acquired a new position in Academy Sports and Outdoors in the 3rd quarter worth about $40,000. TD Private Client Wealth LLC purchased a new position in Academy Sports and Outdoors during the third quarter worth approximately $40,000. Farther Finance Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Academy Sports and Outdoors by 98.4% in the third quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 738 shares of the company’s stock valued at $43,000 after purchasing an additional 366 shares during the period. Finally, Future Financial Wealth Managment LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors in the third quarter valued at approximately $58,000.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

ASO has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. TD Cowen raised their price target on shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors from $54.00 to $61.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. Telsey Advisory Group cut their price target on shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors from $65.00 to $60.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, December 5th. Evercore ISI downgraded Academy Sports and Outdoors from an “outperform” rating to an “in-line” rating and reduced their price target for the stock from $65.00 to $60.00 in a research report on Thursday, October 3rd. Citigroup started 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 for the company. Finally, Wedbush reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $65.00 target price on shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors in a research report on Wednesday, December 11th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Academy Sports and Outdoors presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $61.67.

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.