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Earnings analysis · 10-Q

ASO earnings analysis

Filed September 9, 2026 · Our reading of the company's report

The latest report

Academy delivered solid reported growth, with revenue up 3.0% to $1.647 billion, diluted EPS of $2.17, gross margin up 440 basis points to 40.4%, and adjusted quarterly free cash flow of $115.9 million. However,…

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Academy delivered solid reported growth, with revenue up 3.0% to $1.647 billion, diluted EPS of $2.17, gross margin up 440 basis points to 40.4%, and adjusted quarterly free cash flow of $115.9 million. However, comparable sales declined 0.4%, transactions fell 5.3%, and much of the margin improvement came from a one-time 510-basis-point tariff-refund benefit. The balance sheet remains liquid following refinancing, with $298.2 million of cash and $993.6 million of ABL capacity, supporting a neutral assessment.

Read the original on SEC.gov

Gross and operating margin

How much of each revenue dollar the business keeps.

40% Gross margin Operating margin Nov 2023 Sep 2026

One point per quarterly or annual filing. Both margins are shares of that report's revenue.

From revenue to operating profit

Where each $100 of revenue went in this report.

Of every $100 of revenue Cost of sales $60 Operating expenses $25 Left as operating profit $15

Cost of sales, operating expenses, and what remained. Figures are rounded to whole dollars.

How we read each report

Our analysis across the last few reports.

Read as bullish Read as bearish Nov 2023 Sep 2026

Our model's reading of each filing, not the share price or the market's reaction. Annual and quarterly reports each occupy one position.

Reported figures

Earnings per share
$2.17
Segment
Single reportable retail segment: $1.647 billion revenue, up 3.0% year over year. Product divisions: Outdoors $468.6 million, up 4.4%; Sports and recreation $393.1 million, up 6.3%; Apparel $451.9 million, approximately flat; Footwear $319.9 million, down 1.0%.

What stood out

  • Revenue and EPS increased year over year

    Net sales increased 3.0% year over year to $1.647 billion, while diluted EPS rose to $2.17 from $1.85. Net income increased 9.9% to $137.9 million.

  • Margins expanded materially

    Gross margin expanded 440 basis points to 40.4% from 36.0%, and operating margin increased to 15.0% from 10.8%. The gross-margin gain included 510 basis points from one-time IEEPA tariff refunds.

  • Digital growth offset soft comps

    E-commerce sales increased 14.1% year over year and represented 12.1% of merchandise sales versus 10.9% previously. Comparable sales declined 0.4%, but the company opened three stores during the quarter.

  • Cash generation improved

    Operating cash flow increased to $188.4 million for the quarter and adjusted free cash flow was $115.9 million, compared with $21.7 million in the prior-year quarter. Year-to-date operating cash flow was $349.0 million.

  • Debt maturities were extended

    The company refinanced its debt, issuing $500.0 million of 5.875% senior secured notes due 2031 and repaying the $400.0 million 2020 Notes and $85.8 million Term Loan. Interest expense declined 10.8% year over year to $8.1 million.

  • Aggressive share repurchases continued

    The company repurchased 1.61 million shares for $82.9 million in the quarter and had $256.1 million remaining under its $700 million repurchase authorization as of August 1, 2026.

What to watch

  • Traffic and consumer demand remain weak

    Comparable sales declined 0.4% and comparable transactions fell 5.3%, indicating continued consumer traffic pressure despite a 4.9% increase in average ticket.

  • Margin benefit is partly nonrecurring

    The 440-basis-point quarterly gross-margin expansion included 510 basis points from one-time IEEPA tariff refunds; merchandise margin itself was unfavorable by 90 basis points, including 70 basis points of tariff-refund reinvestment into pricing.

  • Inventory exposure increased

    Merchandise inventories increased to $1.657 billion from $1.588 billion a year earlier, a $69.8 million increase, while management identifies inventory management and avoiding excess markdowns as ongoing priorities.

  • Debt and lease commitments remain substantial

    The company had $500.0 million of senior secured notes outstanding at 5.875%, along with $2.411 billion of remaining operating lease payments. Debt and lease obligations could constrain liquidity if operating cash flow weakens.

  • Growth investment raises cash requirements

    Fiscal 2026 capital expenditures are expected to be $200 million-$240 million, while $208.1 million of technology, construction and other contractual commitments existed as of August 1, 2026, including $97.9 million payable within 12 months.

  • Tariff and macroeconomic uncertainty persists

    Management states there were no material changes to the Annual Report risk factors, but continues to cite tariffs, inflation and shifting trade policies as factors that could adversely affect sales and merchandise margin.

Management's outlook

The 10-Q does not provide numeric revenue or EPS guidance. Management expects fiscal 2026 capital expenditures of $200 million-$240 million and states that cash and cash equivalents plus ABL availability will fund requirements for the next 12 months and the longer term foreseeable future.

Earlier filings 4

10-Q · June 10, 2026

Academy Sports + Outdoors (ASO) reported Q1 2026 revenue of $1.442B, marking a 6.7% increase year-over-year, and operating income rose to $74.7M with a slight uptick in operating margin. However, the gross margin shrank…

10-K · March 17, 2026

Academy Sports + Outdoors positions itself as a value-based, regionally focused sporting goods and outdoor retailer with a growing omnichannel business and a 322-store footprint (as of January 31, 2026). Fiscal 2025 net…

10-Q · June 10, 2025

Academy Sports & Outdoors reported net sales of $1,351,409,000 for the thirteen weeks ended May 3, 2025, a slight decline of 0.94% from $1,364,220,000 a year earlier. Gross margin improved modestly to ~34.0% (458,869 /…

10-Q · December 10, 2024

Academy reported net sales of $1,343,330,000 for the thirteen weeks ended November 2, 2024, down $54,447,000 (≈3.9%) versus the prior-year quarter, with diluted EPS of $0.92 versus $1.31 a year ago. Gross margin…

This is our reading of a public filing, not the filing itself. Analysis can contain errors; check the source document for full context.