Core Insights - Academy Sports + Outdoors is committed to expanding its presence by opening 20-25 new stores in fiscal 2025, having recently opened two new locations and planning another in Morgantown, W.Va [1][4] - The company has surpassed 300 total stores as of Q1 2025, reinforcing its mission to provide quality sporting goods and outdoor gear to families across the United States [1][10] Expansion Plans - In 2023, Academy opened 14 new stores across six states, followed by 16 new stores in 2024 across ten states, including its first locations in Ohio [4] - As of 2025, Academy has opened 7 new stores in six states, marking its first entries in Pennsylvania and Maryland [4] Community Engagement - Academy celebrated new store openings by hosting donation shopping sprees with local non-profits, enhancing community involvement and support [3][4] - The company's donations have positively impacted local communities by providing essential equipment and promoting youth participation in sports [4] Product Offering - Each Academy store offers a wide range of products including apparel, footwear, sports equipment, and outdoor gear from top national brands at competitive prices [2][5] - Academy also features exclusive private label brands that provide quality outdoor apparel and equipment [6] Customer Experience - The company provides free services such as grill and bike assembly, and offers a rewards program, myAcademy, which includes various customer benefits [8][9]

Core Insights - The article discusses the investment potential of Academy Sports and Outdoors, highlighting market trends and opportunities for investors [1] Company Overview - Academy Sports and Outdoors (ASO) is positioned as an exciting investment opportunity within the retail sector, particularly in sporting goods and outdoor equipment [1] Market Trends - The video accompanying the article provides insights into current market trends that may affect the performance of Academy Sports and Outdoors [1] Investment Opportunities - Analysts suggest that there are potential investment opportunities related to Academy Sports and Outdoors, which could be beneficial for investors looking to capitalize on market movements [1]

Core Viewpoint - Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. is set to release its first quarter fiscal 2025 financial results on June 10, 2025, before market opening [1] Financial Results Announcement - The company will host a live conference call on the same day at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the financial results [2] - Participants can access the call by dialing 1-877-407-3982 (U.S.) or 1-201-493-6780 (International) with the conference passcode 13753920 [2] - A webcast of the call and related materials will be available on the company's website [2] Conference Call Replay - A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available for approximately 30 days [3] - The replay can be accessed by dialing 1-844-512-2921 (U.S.) or 1-412-317-6671 (International) with the same passcode [3] - The webcast will also be archived on the company's website for about 30 days [3] Company Overview - Academy Sports and Outdoors is a leading full-line sporting goods and outdoor recreation retailer in the U.S. [4] - The company was founded in 1938 in Texas and has expanded to over 300 stores across 21 states [4] - Academy's mission is to provide "Fun for All" through a localized merchandising strategy that appeals to a diverse consumer base [4] - The product assortment includes key categories such as outdoor, apparel, sports & recreation, and footwear, featuring both national brands and private label brands [4]

Academy to serve as a National Partner of the Boys & Girls Clubs of AmericaKATY, Texas, April 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Academy Sports + Outdoors ("Academy") (Nasdaq: ASO), a leading full-line sporting goods and outdoor recreation retailer, announced today a new partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Together, the organizations will work to make sports and outdoor fun more available to children in underserved communities across the country. Boys & Girls Clubs of America has over 5,400 Clubs nationwi ...

Core Insights - Academy Sports + Outdoors has announced a multi-year partnership with Babe Ruth League to become the Official Sporting Goods Retailer starting in 2025, aiming to enhance youth athletes' experiences in baseball and softball [1][2][3] Company Overview - Academy Sports + Outdoors is a leading full-line sporting goods and outdoor recreation retailer in the United States, with over 300 stores across 21 states, originally founded in 1938 [5] - The company's mission is to provide "Fun for All" through a localized merchandising strategy that connects with a diverse consumer base [5] Partnership Details - The partnership will provide Babe Ruth League athletes, coaches, and families with exclusive benefits, high-quality sporting goods, equipment, and apparel [1][2] - Academy's collaboration with Babe Ruth League emphasizes its commitment to supporting local communities and increasing access to youth sports [2][3] - Babe Ruth League, founded in 1951, serves over one million players nationwide, focusing on teaching sportsmanship, teamwork, and leadership [3][6]

Core Insights - Academy Sports + Outdoors has donated over $550,000 to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital through a collaboration on holiday-themed apparel, contributing to a total of more than $2.7 million since 2020 [1][2] Company Overview - Academy Sports + Outdoors is a leading full-line sporting goods and outdoor recreation retailer in the United States, with over 300 stores across 21 states [4] - The company was founded in 1938 in Texas and focuses on a localized merchandising strategy to connect with a broad range of consumers [4] Partnership with St. Jude - The partnership with St. Jude has been ongoing for five years, with a focus on supporting young patients and their families through creative fundraising initiatives [2][3] - The holiday apparel collection features designs inspired by St. Jude patients, allowing customers to contribute to the hospital's mission while celebrating children's artwork [3] St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Overview - St. Jude is dedicated to treating and defeating childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases, with a mission of "Finding cures. Saving children." [5] - Since its opening in 1962, St. Jude has increased the overall survival rate for childhood cancer from 20% to over 80% [5]

Core Insights - Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. (ASO) is expanding its retail footprint in the United States through new store openings, achieving a milestone of over 300 stores by March 2025 [1][2] Store Expansion - The company has recently entered markets in Pennsylvania and Maryland, increasing its store count to over 300 and expanding its presence from 19 states to 21 [2] - In fiscal 2025, ASO plans to open 20-25 new stores, with an anticipated opening in Charlotte, NC, in April [3] - In the first quarter of fiscal 2025, ASO expects to open five new stores, primarily in the first half of the fiscal year [4] - The company opened 16 new stores across 10 states in fiscal 2024, including its first store in Ohio, and aims to open 120-140 new stores by the end of 2027 [7] Growth Initiatives - ASO is focusing on various growth initiatives, including new store expansion, omnichannel advancements, digital marketing projects, and improvements to existing stores [5] - The company is also expanding its product portfolio, which is expected to contribute positively to its growth [5] Competitive Landscape - ASO shares the market with competitors such as American Outdoor Brands, Johnson Outdoors, and Brunswick, all of which are implementing initiatives to enhance customer experience and drive business growth [6] - American Outdoor is focusing on new product launches and market expansion to foster growth [8] - Johnson Outdoors is benefiting from strategic investments aimed at improving profitability and enhancing margins [9] - Brunswick is successfully managing new product launches and inventory despite a challenging macro environment [10]

Core Viewpoint - Academy Sports + Outdoors is expanding its retail footprint by opening 20-25 new stores in fiscal 2025, marking significant growth and community engagement initiatives [1][4]. Group 1: Store Expansion - Academy has surpassed 300 stores with recent openings in York, Harrisburg, and Hagerstown, marking its first locations in Pennsylvania and Maryland, and plans to open a total of 20-25 new stores in fiscal 2025 [1][4]. - In 2023, Academy opened 14 new stores across 6 states, and in 2024, it opened 16 new stores across 10 states, including its first locations in Ohio [4]. Group 2: Community Engagement - The company is donating over $40,000 to support more than 350 children through local Boys & Girls Clubs in the communities where new stores have opened [3]. - NFL star Micah Parsons participated in the Harrisburg grand opening, taking 100 local kids on a shopping spree, highlighting the company's commitment to community support [3]. Group 3: Product Offering and Services - Academy stores provide a wide range of products including apparel, footwear, sports and camping equipment, hunting and fishing gear, and outdoor cooking supplies from top national brands [2][5]. - The company offers free services such as grill and bike assembly, scope mounting, and hunting and fishing licenses available for purchase in stores [5][6]. Group 4: Employment Opportunities - The five new stores are expected to create approximately 300 new jobs in their local communities [8].

Core Investment Criteria - An ideal investment operates in a sector expected to experience structural growth exceeding GDP growth over the next 5-10 years [1] - It benefits from sustainable competitive advantages that lead to attractive unit economics [1] - The investment should be managed by competent, ethical, and long-term thinkers [1] - A fair valuation is essential for the investment [1]

Core Insights - Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. (ASO) reported fourth-quarter fiscal 2024 results with earnings and revenues exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate, although both metrics declined year-over-year [1][2]. Financial Performance - Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) for Q4 were $1.96, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.82, down from $2.21 in the prior-year quarter [2]. - Quarterly revenues reached $1.68 billion, beating the consensus mark by 0.6%, but declined 6.6% year-over-year due to a fall in comparable sales [2]. - Comparable sales decreased by 3% year-over-year, compared to a 3.6% decline in the prior-year quarter, driven by a 5.9% drop in transactions, partially offset by a 3.1% increase in ticket size [3]. Operating Highlights - Selling, general and administrative expenses were $385.5 million, down from $393 million in the prior-year quarter [4]. - Gross margins declined by 110 basis points year-over-year to 32.2%, primarily due to higher freight and distribution costs and lower merchandise margins [4]. - Adjusted net income for the quarter was $138.8 million, down from $168.2 million in the prior-year quarter [5]. - Adjusted EBITDA for Q4 was $211.7 million, compared to $255.2 million in the prior-year quarter [5]. Balance Sheet - As of February 1, 2025, cash and cash equivalents totaled $288.9 million, down from $347.9 million on February 3, 2024 [6]. - Merchandise inventories were $1.3 billion, compared to $1.2 billion in the prior-year period [6]. - Long-term debt net stood at $482.7 million, slightly down from $484.6 million in the prior-year quarter [6]. Dividend Announcement - The company declared an 18% dividend increase to 13 cents per share, payable on April 17, 2025, to shareholders of record as of March 25, 2025 [7]. Fiscal 2024 Highlights - Total revenues for fiscal 2024 were $5.9 billion, down from $6.2 billion in fiscal 2023 [8]. - Adjusted EBITDA for fiscal 2024 was $720.2 million, compared to $846 million in fiscal 2023 [8]. - Adjusted EPS for fiscal 2024 was $6.02, down from $6.96 in the previous year [8]. Fiscal 2025 Outlook - For fiscal 2025, the company expects net sales to be between $6.1 billion and $6.3 billion, with comparable sales projected to range from 2% to 1% [10]. - The gross margin rate is anticipated to be between 34% and 34.5%, with capital expenditures expected to be between $220 million and $250 million [10]. - Fiscal 2025 adjusted net income is projected to be between $400 million and $435 million [10]. - Adjusted free cash flow is expected to be between $290 million and $320 million, with adjusted EPS anticipated to be in the range of $5.75 to $6.20 [11].