ASO Stock Overview

Academy Sports and Outdoors is expanding aggressively, planning to open 160-180 new stores over five years, leveraging favorable demographics in high-growth markets. Despite 11 quarters of negative same-store sales, ASO has consistently generated positive free cash flow, highlighting operational efficiency. TTM FCF yield is 11%. For fiscal year 2025, I expect ASO to deliver same-store sales growth in the low-single digits. This coupled with new store openings should push the overall sales growth to mid-single digits.

Academy Sports and Outdoors is a small-cap retailer with a wide economic moat and excellent value offering to customers. The company operates 290 stores across 18 states, offering a broad range of sports and outdoor products which outpaces the comparative offerings of rivals. Despite a tough Q3, Academy maintains strong financials with impressive margins, robust cash flow, and a conservative balance sheet.

We also respond to questions from listeners regarding diversification within the S&P 500.

In summary, 2024 was a good year for getting "average" returns in the stock market. This includes companies like Crocs (NASDAQ: CROX), Academy Sports and Outdoors (NASDAQ: ASO), and Universal Display (NASDAQ: OLED). Crocs is considered a low-cost stock, with a price-to-earnings ratio of only 8, while many other stocks have ratios above 20.

With just three weeks left in the year (as of this writing), the S&P 500 is up nearly 27% in 2024. To illustrate how great this gain is, if someone invested $10,000 and gained 27% annually, they'd have over $100,000 in just 10 years.

Academy Sports & Outdoors faces challenges with profitability and sales growth, despite boasting industry-leading metrics and expansion potential. Q3 2024 earnings show declines in net sales, net income, and EPS, with a negative trend persisting year-to-date. The company has improved its balance sheet, reduced leverage, and initiated significant share repurchase programs, indicating financial stability.

Academy Sports and Outdoors' third-quarter fiscal 2024 results are hurt by challenges in October, which proves to be a tough month for the company.

Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASO ) Q3 2024 Earnings Conference Call December 10, 2024 10:00 AM ET Company Participants Brad Morris - Director, Strategic Initiatives Steve Lawrence - Chief Executive Officer Carl Ford - Chief Financial Officer Conference Call Participants Emily Ghosh - Goldman Sachs Robby Ohmes - Bank of America Michael Lasser - UBS Anthony Chukumba - Loop Capital Markets Simeon Gutman - Morgan Stanley Anna Glaessgen - B. Riley Operator Good morning, and welcome to Academy Sports and Outdoors Third Quarter Fiscal 2024 Results Conference Call.

Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. (ASO) came out with quarterly earnings of $0.98 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.28 per share. This compares to earnings of $1.38 per share a year ago.