Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. is a sporting goods and outdoor recreation retailer in the United States, operating through its subsidiaries. Its product range includes outdoor equipment for camping, fishing, and hunting; sports and recreation gear such as fitness equipment, team sports equipment, and outdoor furniture; apparel for outdoor, athletic, and work use; and footwear including casual, athletic, and hunting styles. The company sells products under brands such as Academy Sports + Outdoors, Magellan Outdoors, BCG, O'rageous, Game Winner, Outdoor Gourmet, Freely, R.O.W., Redfield, and H2OX. Founded in 1938, it is headquartered in Katy, Texas.
Broadstone Net Lease Breaks Ground on Two Texas Build-to-Suit Projects
Broadstone Net Lease secured land and broke ground on two off-market build-to-suit projects in Manor, Texas, for Hobby Lobby and Academy Sports, adding $23 million to its committed development pipeline. The two projects, each roughly 55,000 square feet, carry target stabilization dates of June 2027 and 15-year leases with annual rent escalations of 0.5% for Hobby Lobby and 0.4% for Academy Sports, with Hobby Lobby projected at a 7.1% cash capitalization rate and 7.4% straight-line yield and Academy Sports at a 7.1% cash cap rate and 7.3% straight-line yield. The Texas builds follow a $303 million joint venture for a 100-megawatt advanced technology facility in Colorado leased to a Fortune 20 investment-grade tenant for 15 years, structured for an 8.5% initial cash yield rising to 9.7% in year two and operational in March 2027. Broadstone reported second-quarter net income of $40.3 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, more than double the prior-year period, with same-store rental revenue up 2.2% year over year and 99.9% of base rents collected, and management raised the midpoint of full-year Adjusted Funds From Operations guidance to $1.56 per share. The company owes approximately $149.3 million in remaining build-to-suit commitments through the fourth quarter of 2026, carried $2.7 billion in total outstanding debt as of June 30 for a net debt-to-annualized adjusted EBITDAre ratio of 6.4 times, or 5.9 times pro forma, and has sold 8.2 million shares forward since the fourth quarter of 2025 at an average price of $19.97, raising approximately $163 million.
ASO · Demand · Neutral Academy Sports is the tenant for one of Broadstone's new build-to-suit projects, but the article gives no company-specific development for Academy itself.
Hobby Lobby · Demand · Neutral Hobby Lobby is the tenant for one of Broadstone's new build-to-suit projects, but the article gives no company-specific development for Hobby Lobby itself.
Academy Sports Q2 Beats, Analysts Raise Targets but Hold Ratings
Academy Sports and Outdoors reported second-quarter results for the period ended August 1, 2026, with net sales up 3.0% to $1.65 billion and adjusted earnings per share climbing 19.1% to $2.31 from $1.94. Gross margin widened 440 basis points to 40.4%, though comparable sales fell 0.4%, and management lifted full-year adjusted EPS guidance to $6.50 to $6.90 and gross margin guidance to 35.5% to 36.0%. Four analysts raised their price targets without upgrading the stock: Telsey Advisory went to $63 from $60 at Outperform, Wells Fargo's Ike Boruchow to $55 from $50 at Equal Weight, Barclays analyst Adrienne Yih to $53 from $50 at Equal Weight, and UBS to $58 from $55 at Neutral, while BMO Capital initiated coverage at Market Perform with a $42 target. Supporting the quarter, e-commerce sales grew 12.8%, Sports and Recreation rose 6%, myAcademy loyalty membership passed 15 million, and the company raised adjusted free cash flow guidance to $300 million to $350 million after repurchasing $182.1 million of stock in the first half. Caution persists, however, as traffic from households earning under $50,000 fell high single digits, footwear sales declined 1%, inventory rose 4.4% year-over-year, and 510 basis points of tariff refund benefit inside the 40.4% gross margin will not repeat. Hedge fund ownership fell to 29 funds from 31 between the first and second quarters of 2026, with Royce & Associates holding the largest position at 1.08 million shares worth $51 million, and shares trade at 8.16 times forward earnings as of September 15, 2026, with short interest at 23.30% of float.
ASO · Capital · Positive Q2 beat with EPS up 19.1%, gross margin up 440bp, and raised full-year EPS/FCF guidance, prompting four analysts to raise price targets.
Academy Sports Posts Q2 Profit Surge on Tariff Refund, Raises Guidance
Academy Sports and Outdoors reported second quarter results on September 10 that showed net sales up 3% to $1.65 billion while comparable sales slipped 0.4%. Adjusted earnings per share climbed 19.1% to $2.31 from $1.94 a year earlier, and gross margin expanded 440 basis points to 40.4%, with 510 basis points of that gain coming directly from one-time tariff refunds. The company raised its full-year adjusted EPS guidance to $6.50 to $6.90 and its gross margin guidance to 35.5% to 36.0%, and repurchased $181 million of stock in the first half, about 5% of shares outstanding. Underneath the margin story, traffic from households earning less than $50,000 a year fell in the high single digits, steeper than the low single-digit decline in the first quarter, while traffic from households earning more than $100,000 accelerated to high single-digit growth. CFO Carl Ford said fuel costs will stay elevated for the rest of the year and CEO Steve Lawrence said the consumer backdrop will remain challenged in the back half, and the company confirmed it has already received substantially all of its tariff refunds, meaning the 510 basis point margin tailwind will not repeat.
ASO · Capital · Positive Q2 adjusted EPS rose 19.1% to $2.31 and full-year EPS and gross margin guidance were raised, aided by one-time tariff refunds.
ASO · Demand · Negative Comparable sales slipped 0.4% and traffic from households earning under $50,000 fell high single digits, with management calling the consumer backdrop challenged.
Academy Sports and Outdoors reported second-quarter fiscal 2026 net sales of $1.6 billion, up 3% from a year earlier, while comparable sales declined 0.4%. The retailer reaffirmed its full-year sales and comparable-sales outlook despite pressure from lower-income consumers, whose traffic fell by high single digits. E-commerce sales rose 12.8%, and gross margin expanded to 40.4%, boosted by tariff refunds. Adjusted earnings per share increased 19.1% to $2.31, and the company raised its full-year gross-margin and EPS guidance. Academy also reaffirmed plans to open 22 to 24 new stores in fiscal 2026.
Midday Movers: Meta Rises, Casey's Falls, Signet Jumps
In midday trading, several stocks made notable moves. Centerspace jumped over 8% after announcing an all-stock merger with Independence Realty Trust, creating a residential REIT with an enterprise value of $8.1 billion, with Centerspace shareholders receiving about 3.8 shares of IRT common stock per share. Academy Sports and Outdoors gained 8% after lifting its adjusted earnings outlook for fiscal 2027 to $6.50-$6.90 per share, above the prior range and the FactSet consensus of $6.43. Meta Platforms rose 6% following the unveiling of a personal AI agent app. Mission Produce popped 4% after beating FactSet expectations for both earnings and revenue in its fiscal third quarter. Apple slipped 1% ahead of an expected iPhone announcement. Casey's General Stores dropped over 15% despite beating earnings and revenue estimates, due to a 0.3% decline in fuel sales and slightly lower-than-expected growth in prepared food and beverage sales. Signet Jewelers surged 19% after reporting adjusted earnings of $2.19 per share, beating the FactSet estimate of $1.74, and raising full-year guidance. ServiceTitan fell over 30% after its third-quarter revenue guidance missed estimates, despite beating second-quarter revenue at $292.8 million versus $285.9 million expected. Braze dropped 19% on a revenue miss, though it beat on earnings per share. Chime Financial rose 4% after better-than-expected second-quarter earnings and third-quarter revenue guidance of $680-$690 million, surpassing the $640.6 million estimate.
ASO · Capital · Positive Academy Sports lifted its adjusted earnings outlook for fiscal 2027 above prior range and consensus.
AVO · Capital · Positive Mission Produce beat FactSet expectations for both earnings and revenue in its fiscal third quarter.
BRZE · Capital · Negative Braze dropped 19% on a revenue miss, though it beat on earnings per share.
CASY · Demand · Negative Casey's fell over 15% despite beating estimates, due to a 0.3% decline in fuel sales and weaker prepared food and beverage sales growth.
CHYM · Capital · Positive Chime rose after better-than-expected Q2 earnings and strong Q3 revenue guidance.
CSR · Capital · Positive Centerspace jumped over 8% on announcing an all-stock merger with Independence Realty Trust.
Academy Sports expands Ariat partnership with 200 in-store shops
Academy Sports and Outdoors is expanding its partnership with western wear brand Ariat International by adding 200 in-store shops this fall. The launch builds on a 20-year relationship between the two companies and will give Ariat merchandise, including Western boots, denim, and workwear, more prominent display space. Academy Sports' chief merchandising officer said the Ariat locations will feature branded walls, fixtures, and tables within a space where shoppers can check out what's new. The growing popularity of Western, work, and outdoor apparel contributed to a 4.7% increase in apparel sales for Academy in the first quarter of 2026.
ASO · Demand · Positive Expanding Ariat partnership with 200 in-store shops boosts apparel sales, which rose 4.7% in Q1.
Ariat International, Inc. · Demand · Positive Ariat gains prominent display space in 200 Academy stores, increasing product visibility and sales potential.
Instacart and Academy Sports + Outdoors team up for same-day delivery in as fast as an hour
Instacart and Academy Sports + Outdoors announced a new partnership bringing Academy's full catalog to the Instacart Marketplace for same-day delivery in as fast as an hour at no markups. The collaboration covers Academy's more than 300 stores across 21 states, offering national brands and exclusive private labels across sports, outdoor, apparel, and footwear. The launch is timed for back-to-school, fall sports, hunting season, and tailgating, with a promotional offer of $15 off a $75-plus purchase for qualifying new Academy customers through October 12th. Academy joins over 2,200 retail banners on the Instacart Marketplace.
Tractor Supply Outperforms Academy Sports in Revenue Resilience Amid Consumer Spending Weakness
Tractor Supply has demonstrated more resilient revenue performance than Academy Sports and Outdoors amid soft consumer spending and tariff headwinds. Tractor Supply's quarterly revenue ranged from $3.5 billion to $4.4 billion over the past two years, consistently higher than Academy Sports' range of $1.3 billion to $1.7 billion. Tractor Supply posted slightly higher revenue in its most recent quarter compared to two years ago, while Academy Sports reported a slight decline over the same period. Tractor Supply expects comparable store sales to increase 1% to 3% this year, while Academy Sports forecasts flat to 2% growth. Tractor Supply trades at a forward price-to-earnings multiple of about 14 times, compared to Academy Sports' 7 times.
ASO · Demand · Negative Academy Sports reported a slight revenue decline over two years and forecasts flat to 2% comparable sales growth, indicating weaker consumer demand.
TSCO · Demand · Positive Tractor Supply posted higher revenue than two years ago and expects 1-3% comparable sales growth, showing resilient demand.
Uber Adds Kiehl's, FedEx Office, and Others to Uber Eats Marketplace
Uber Technologies announced the addition of several retailers to the Uber Eats marketplace, expanding on-demand delivery options. Consumers can now shop from Kiehl's, FedEx Office, Blick Art Materials, Academy Sports + Outdoors, and Choice Pet through the Uber Eats, Uber, and Postmates apps. The move broadens the retail products available for delivery on the platform.
United States