Man Group plc Invests $2.08 Million in Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. $ASO

Man Group plc acquired a new stake in Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASO) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 44,061 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,077,000. Man Group plc owned 0.07% of Academy Sports and Outdoors at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. BlackRock Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $468,146,000. Kingsview Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $2,660,000. Systematic Financial Management LP lifted its holdings in Academy Sports and Outdoors by 22.7% in the fourth quarter. Systematic Financial Management LP now owns 319,748 shares of the company’s stock valued at $15,975,000 after acquiring an additional 59,051 shares during the last quarter. King Luther Capital Management Corp lifted its holdings in Academy Sports and Outdoors by 12.6% in the fourth quarter. King Luther Capital Management Corp now owns 1,573,073 shares of the company’s stock valued at $78,591,000 after acquiring an additional 176,463 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Delphi Management Inc. MA purchased a new position in Academy Sports and Outdoors in the first quarter worth approximately $1,190,000.

Academy Sports and Outdoors Trading Down 0.3%

ASO opened at $42.81 on Wednesday. Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. has a 52 week low of $41.29 and a 52 week high of $62.44. The company has a quick ratio of 0.36, a current ratio of 1.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $47.16 and a 200-day simple moving average of $52.21. The firm has a market cap of $2.66 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.54, a P/E/G ratio of 0.62 and a beta of 1.02.

Academy Sports and Outdoors (NASDAQ:ASO) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, June 9th. The company reported $0.93 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.91 by $0.02. Academy Sports and Outdoors had a return on equity of 17.85% and a net margin of 6.24%.The firm had revenue of $1.44 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.44 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.76 EPS. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 6.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Academy Sports and Outdoors has set its FY 2026 guidance at 6.400-6.800 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. will post 6.08 earnings per share for the current year.

Academy Sports and Outdoors Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, July 16th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 18th were paid a dividend of $0.15 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, June 18th. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.4%. Academy Sports and Outdoors’s dividend payout ratio is 10.56%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on ASO shares. Stephens started coverage on Academy Sports and Outdoors in a research note on Wednesday, May 13th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $78.00 target price for the company. Weiss Ratings cut Academy Sports and Outdoors from a “hold (c)” rating to a “hold (c-)” rating in a report on Thursday, June 11th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on Academy Sports and Outdoors from $60.00 to $59.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, June 10th. The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their price objective on shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors from $67.00 to $60.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, June 10th. Finally, UBS Group decreased their target price on shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors from $56.00 to $55.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, June 10th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating and ten have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $58.07.

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.