Core Insights - Academy Sports + Outdoors is actively engaging in community support by hosting over 40 charitable events during the holiday season, impacting local families across its 21-state footprint [1][7]. Group 1: Community Engagement - The company welcomed over 500 local families and children into its stores for holiday shopping experiences [1]. - Academy distributed more than $135,000 in gift cards to local kids and families [7]. - The company partnered with various organizations, including Boys & Girls Clubs of America and local police departments, to enhance its community outreach efforts [7]. Group 2: Holiday Initiatives - Academy surprised shoppers by purchasing nearly $72,000 worth of holiday gifts to fulfill their wish lists [7]. - Special guests, including notable athletes and mascots, participated in events to spread holiday cheer and engage with families [5]. - The company emphasized creating meaningful experiences and lasting memories for families during the holiday season [4]. Group 3: Company Overview - Founded in 1938, Academy has grown to over 300 stores across 21 states, focusing on providing a wide range of sporting goods and outdoor recreation products [8]. - The company's mission is to deliver "Fun for All," supported by a localized merchandising strategy that resonates with diverse consumers [8].

Academy Sports + Outdoors is seeing greater strength in footwear. “The best part of our business has been performance running,” said Matt McCabe, the outdoor retailer’s executive vice president and chief merchant, in a telephone interview Tuesday after the firm posted third quarter earnings results. “So really Nike’s Vomero, Brooks’ Glycerin, Asics’ Gel-Nimbus and New Balance’s FuelCell Rebel has been good for us.” More from WWD McCabe also noted Adidas’ new Adizero EVO SL Running shoe that also did well ...

Financial Performance - Net sales for Q3 2025 reached $14 billion, a 30% year-over-year increase[31] - E-commerce sales experienced substantial growth of 222%[31] - Gross margin expanded by 170 basis points[31] - GAAP EPS stood at $105, while adjusted EPS reached $114[31] - For the thirty-nine weeks ended November 1, 2025, net income was $24308 million, compared to $284816 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended November 2, 2024[45] Store Expansion and Growth Strategy - The company opened 11 new stores in Q3 2025[31] and a total of 24 stores in fiscal year 2025[14] - The company plans to open an additional 20-25 stores in 2026[14] - New store targets include year-one sales of $12 million - $16 million with a spend of $4 million - $5 million per store in FY25 and a targeted ROIC of 20%+[16] - The company has opened 59 new stores over the past three+ years[14] Fiscal Year 2025 Guidance - The company updated its fiscal 2025 sales guidance to a range of -20% to flat[41] - The company anticipates a tax rate of 235% for the year[41] - The company projects GAAP net income between $365 million and $400 million, and adjusted net income between $385 million and $420 million[42]

Core Insights - Universal Technical Institute (UTI) reported quarterly earnings of $0.34 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.26 per share, and matching the earnings from the previous year [1] - The company achieved a revenue of $222.44 million for the quarter ended September 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.28% and showing an increase from $196.36 million year-over-year [3] Earnings Performance - The earnings surprise for the quarter was +30.77%, with a previous quarter surprise of +58.33% [2] - UTI has consistently surpassed consensus EPS estimates over the last four quarters [2] Stock Performance - UTI shares have increased by approximately 12.6% since the beginning of the year, slightly outperforming the S&P 500's gain of 12.5% [4] Future Outlook - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $0.24 on revenues of $218.61 million, and for the current fiscal year, it is $0.96 on revenues of $902.3 million [8] - The Zacks Rank for UTI is currently 4 (Sell), indicating expectations of underperformance in the near future [7] Industry Context - The Schools industry, to which UTI belongs, is currently ranked in the top 29% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting a favorable outlook compared to lower-ranked industries [9]

Core Insights - Amer Sports, Inc. reported quarterly earnings of $0.33 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.25 per share, and showing a significant increase from $0.14 per share a year ago, resulting in an earnings surprise of +32.00% [1] - The company achieved revenues of $1.76 billion for the quarter ended September 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.62% and up from $1.35 billion year-over-year [2] - Amer Sports has outperformed consensus EPS estimates three times in the last four quarters and has topped revenue estimates four times in the same period [2] Earnings Outlook - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $0.28 on revenues of $1.99 billion, while the estimate for the current fiscal year is $0.84 on revenues of $6.43 billion [7] - The company's favorable estimate revisions trend prior to the earnings release has resulted in a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), indicating expected outperformance in the near future [6] Industry Context - The Leisure and Recreation Products industry, to which Amer Sports belongs, is currently ranked in the top 37% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting a positive outlook for stocks within this sector [8] - Empirical research indicates a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions, which can be tracked by investors [5]

Core Points - Academy Sports + Outdoors is celebrating "Croctober" with promotions on Crocs footwear from October 12 to October 18, including free gifts with purchases and a sweepstakes for a chance to win free Crocs for a year [1][2][3] Promotions and Events - During Crocs Week, customers can receive a free mystery Jibbitz pack with a purchase of $40 or more, available in-store only while supplies last [2] - The company is collaborating with Crocs to support local youth through a donation initiative in Houston, TX, featuring prizes and giveaways [3] Product Offerings - Academy provides a wide range of products including apparel, footwear, sports equipment, and outdoor gear from top national brands, ensuring everyday value for families [4] - The company guarantees the best value by beating competitor prices by 5%, and offers additional savings through its Academy Credit Card [5] Private Label Brands - Academy features exclusive private label brands such as Magellan Outdoors and Freely, offering quality outdoor apparel and equipment for the entire family [6] Shopping Experience - Customers can shop a variety of athletic and casual shoes, sports equipment, and clothing from renowned brands both in-store and online [7] - The myAcademy rewards program offers benefits such as a 10% welcome offer and lower free shipping minimums [8] Company Background - Academy Sports + Outdoors is a leading sporting goods retailer in the U.S., with over 300 stores across 21 states, focusing on a localized merchandising strategy [10]

Core Insights - The shift towards "competitive socializing" reflects a generational change in sports experiences, particularly among Gen Z, who are increasingly engaging in social formats that blend sport and entertainment [1][2] - The outdoor and fitness markets are experiencing a transformation, with younger consumers redefining outdoor engagement and a notable increase in participation in group activities and high-endurance events [3][4] Group Activities and Trends - Group activities and high-endurance events, such as marathons and hybrid competitions like Hyrox, are witnessing robust growth, driven by Gen Z and millennials seeking community and purpose [3] - The participation rate among Gen Z in outdoor activities is reported at 70%, indicating a strong trend towards informal and social formats [2] Retail Landscape Changes - The outdoor retail industry is facing challenges, with companies like REI and Orvis announcing store closures due to changing consumer needs and economic pressures [5][13] - REI's new CEO has introduced a strategic plan aimed at becoming the most trusted retailer for outdoor enthusiasts, focusing on customer trust and emotional connections [10][11] Economic and Trade Factors - Tariff uncertainties are prompting brands to rethink their sourcing and supply chains, impacting how outdoor specialty chains operate [8] - The introduction of reciprocal tariffs has influenced retailers like Orvis to adjust their assortment mix and store base [13] Consumer Demographics - There is a notable increase in women participating in team sports and a rise in active aging among those aged 55 and over, necessitating a reevaluation of product development and engagement strategies [6] - Consumers are shifting from traditional sports to more flexible social activities, such as pickleball and off-course golf [6] Trade Show Developments - Upcoming outdoor trade shows are set to return in 2026, focusing on innovation and collaboration within the industry [17][19] - The European Outdoor Group is also planning a new initiative called European Outdoor Week, which will include an outdoor festival concept for testing equipment [19][20]

Core Insights - Academy Sports + Outdoors is expanding its performance running shoe offerings, particularly featuring Brooks shoes, during "Brooks Month" throughout October [1][4] - The launch of the Hero Collection on October 10 aims to honor community mentors and will contribute a portion of proceeds to Marathon Kids, a nonprofit focused on promoting healthy habits among youth [2] - The limited-edition Adrenaline GTS 25 Silver Edition shoes will be available starting November 1, celebrating 25 years of the Adrenaline GTS line [3] Product Offerings - The Hero Collection will include various colorways and price points for both men's and women's styles [2] - Academy's year-round collection features award-winning Brooks performance running shoes, including models like Glycerin 22, Glycerin GTS 22, and Ghost Max 3 [4] - New colorways for the Women's Ghost 17 performance shoe are priced at $149.99, while the Men's Revel 8 performance shoe is available for $99.99 [10] Customer Engagement - myAcademy members can enter a contest to win the limited-edition Adrenaline GTS 25 Silver Edition shoes starting October 20 [3] - Academy offers a rewards program, myAcademy, which includes benefits such as a 10% welcome offer and lower free shipping minimums [7] - The company guarantees the best value by beating competitor prices by 5% and offers additional discounts for Academy Credit Card holders [6] Company Overview - Academy Sports + Outdoors is a leading full-line sporting goods and outdoor recreation retailer in the U.S., with over 300 stores across 21 states [9] - The company was founded in 1938 and focuses on providing a localized merchandising strategy that resonates with a diverse consumer base [9]

Core Viewpoint - Starbucks has underperformed compared to the S&P 500 over the past five years, prompting a reevaluation of its role in investment portfolios [1] Company Performance - Starbucks has consistently increased its dividend payments for 14 years, with a current dividend yield approaching 3%, which is near its highest level [3] - Revenue growth for Starbucks has averaged a single-digit compound annual growth rate (CAGR) since before the pandemic, which is insufficient for market-beating performance [4] Strategic Options - Starbucks is exploring strategic options for its China business, which has not rebounded as expected post-pandemic [2] - The company is undergoing a transformation under new CEO Brian Niccol, who aims to revitalize the brand and improve the customer experience by closing underperforming locations, with an associated cost of around $1 billion [15][16] Alternative Investment Opportunities - **Academy Sports & Outdoors**: - Plans to open up to 25 new locations in 2025, with a goal of 150 additional locations by 2028, potentially leading to double-digit growth [6][7] - Currently has a dividend yield of 1%, which may not attract income investors immediately, but long-term growth prospects are promising [9] - **Arcos Dorados**: - Operates over 2,400 McDonald's locations in Latin America and the Caribbean, with reported revenue growth of 15% when adjusted for currency fluctuations [10][11] - Offers a more attractive dividend yield of 3.5% and retains a significant portion of earnings for future growth [12] - Generates additional revenue through rental income from sub-franchised locations, enhancing its investment appeal [13]

Core Insights - TCW Relative Value Mid Cap Fund reported a strong recovery in the second quarter of 2025, with a return of 7.37%, outperforming the Russell Midcap® Value Index which returned 5.35% [1] - The fund highlighted Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASO) as a key stock, noting its recent performance and market capitalization [2][4] Company Overview - Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. is a sporting goods and outdoor recreation retailer founded in 1938, operating 298 retail stores primarily in the southern United States [3] - The company has a strategic supplier relationship with Nike, which accounts for approximately 11% of its revenue [3] Financial Performance - In Q2 2025, Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. reported net sales of approximately $1.6 billion, reflecting a 3.3% increase, with a comparable store sales increase of 0.2% [4] - As of October 2, 2025, the stock closed at $52.97 per share, with a market capitalization of $3.529 billion [2] Investment Considerations - Despite the potential of Academy Sports and Outdoors, the company faces challenges due to increased costs from tariffs and limited access to desirable products, which may delay recovery [3] - The position in Academy Sports and Outdoors was eliminated by the fund due to these risks, indicating a cautious outlook on the stock [3]