Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASO) faced a tough fourth quarter, missing expectations across several key metrics as macroeconomic headwinds weighed on the bottom line.

The Katy, Texas-based company reported:

  • Fourth-quarter adjusted earnings per share of $1.97, missing the analyst consensus estimate of $2.06.
  • Quarterly sales of $1.719 billion (+2.5% year over year) missed the Street view of $1.758 billion. Fourth quarter comparable sales declined 1.6%
  • Adjusted EBITDA as of quarter-end totalled $202.571 million, compared with $211.665 million a year ago.
  • Academy Sports said it opened 24 new stores in 2025; it plans to open an additional 20–25 stores in 2026.
  • The company exited the quarter with cash and equivalents worth $330.320 million.

Outlook

Academy Sports expects many of the macro-economic pressures that the customer faced in the back half of 2025 to continue into 2026, according to CEO Steve Lawrence.

“We are optimistic the strategies we have in place should enable us to return to consistent comp sales growth,” he added.

Academy Sports expects fiscal 2026 GAAP earnings of $5.65 to $6.15 per share, below the analyst estimate of $6.37 per share.

The company also projects adjusted earnings of $6.10 to $6.60 per share, compared with the analyst estimate of $6.46 per share, and sales of $6.175 billion to $6.355 billion, versus the analyst estimate of $6.468 billion.

ASO Price Action: Academy Sports shares are trading lower by 9.41% to $51.19 at last check Tuesday.

Photo via Shutterstock