Louisiana State Employees Retirement System Takes $2.46 Million Position in Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASO)

Louisiana State Employees Retirement System acquired a new stake in Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASO) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 37,300 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,462,000. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System owned about 0.05% of Academy Sports and Outdoors at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of ASO. Advisory Services Network LLC increased its holdings in Academy Sports and Outdoors by 139.2% during the 1st quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC now owns 421 shares of the company’s stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 245 shares during the period. Captrust Financial Advisors increased its holdings in Academy Sports and Outdoors by 55.0% during the 1st quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 1,006 shares of the company’s stock worth $40,000 after purchasing an additional 357 shares during the period. KB Financial Partners LLC purchased a new position in Academy Sports and Outdoors during the 2nd quarter worth $84,000. SkyView Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Academy Sports and Outdoors during the 2nd quarter worth $94,000. Finally, Ronald Blue Trust Inc. increased its holdings in Academy Sports and Outdoors by 449.1% during the 3rd quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,768 shares of the company’s stock worth $84,000 after purchasing an additional 1,446 shares during the period.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. TD Cowen cut their price target on Academy Sports and Outdoors from $86.00 to $82.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, March 22nd. Jefferies Financial Group assumed coverage on Academy Sports and Outdoors in a report on Friday, April 12th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $85.00 price target on the stock. B. Riley reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $72.00 price target (up from $65.00) on shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors in a report on Monday, March 25th. Truist Financial reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $77.00 price target on shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors in a report on Tuesday, March 19th. Finally, Wedbush reiterated an “outperform” rating and issued a $80.00 price target on shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors in a report on Monday, April 1st. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $74.00.

Academy Sports and Outdoors Stock Performance

Shares of ASO opened at $59.35 on Wednesday. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $67.71 and a two-hundred day moving average of $59.32. Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. has a one year low of $42.83 and a one year high of $75.73. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25, a quick ratio of 0.51 and a current ratio of 1.87. The stock has a market cap of $4.42 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.83, a P/E/G ratio of 0.86 and a beta of 1.35.

Academy Sports and Outdoors Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 18th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 26th will be given a dividend of $0.11 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 25th. This represents a $0.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.74%. This is a boost from Academy Sports and Outdoors’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.09. Academy Sports and Outdoors’s payout ratio is currently 6.55%.

Academy Sports and Outdoors Company Profile

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.