Bessemer Group Inc. Has $24.18 Million Stock Position in Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. $ASO

Bessemer Group Inc. grew its position in Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASO) by 11.6% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 483,990 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 50,186 shares during the period. Bessemer Group Inc.’s holdings in Academy Sports and Outdoors were worth $24,181,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund increased its stake in shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors by 2.0% in the 4th quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund now owns 15,284 shares of the company’s stock valued at $764,000 after buying an additional 300 shares during the period. Versor Investments LP acquired a new stake in shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors during the fourth quarter worth $212,000. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors during the fourth quarter worth $228,000. Strs Ohio grew its stake in shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors by 61.5% during the fourth quarter. Strs Ohio now owns 2,100 shares of the company’s stock worth $105,000 after purchasing an additional 800 shares during the period. Finally, New York State Teachers Retirement System grew its stake in shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors by 6.5% during the fourth quarter. New York State Teachers Retirement System now owns 34,092 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,703,000 after purchasing an additional 2,071 shares during the period.

Academy Sports and Outdoors Stock Performance

ASO stock opened at $50.55 on Friday. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $55.46 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $53.88. The company has a current ratio of 1.89, a quick ratio of 0.44 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22. The firm has a market cap of $3.26 billion, a PE ratio of 9.09, a P/E/G ratio of 0.78 and a beta of 1.06. Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. has a 1-year low of $39.87 and a 1-year high of $62.44.

Academy Sports and Outdoors (NASDAQ:ASO) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, March 17th. The company reported $1.97 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.05 by ($0.08). The business had revenue of $1.72 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.76 billion. Academy Sports and Outdoors had a return on equity of 17.88% and a net margin of 6.22%.The business’s revenue was up 2.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.96 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts forecast that Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. will post 5.95 earnings per share for the current year.

Academy Sports and Outdoors Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 20th were issued a dividend of $0.15 per share. This is a boost from Academy Sports and Outdoors’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.13. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.2%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, March 20th. Academy Sports and Outdoors’s dividend payout ratio is presently 10.79%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

ASO has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Barclays lifted their price objective on Academy Sports and Outdoors from $49.00 to $55.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 8th. Stephens initiated coverage on Academy Sports and Outdoors in a research note on Wednesday. They set an “overweight” rating and a $78.00 price objective for the company. Telsey Advisory Group reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $65.00 price objective on shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors in a research note on Tuesday, March 17th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on Academy Sports and Outdoors from $52.00 to $56.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 8th. Finally, UBS Group decreased their price objective on Academy Sports and Outdoors from $60.00 to $56.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, March 18th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating and eleven have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $59.87.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Academy Sports and Outdoors news, Director Jeffrey C. Tweedy sold 4,000 shares of Academy Sports and Outdoors stock in a transaction dated Thursday, April 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $60.00, for a total transaction of $240,000.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 7,835 shares in the company, valued at approximately $470,100. The trade was a 33.80% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Corporate insiders own 3.62% of the company’s stock.

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.