CORRECTED: Academy Sports + Outdoors Announces New $700 Million Share Repurchase Program and Quarterly Cash Dividend

Rhea-AI Summary

Academy Sports and Outdoors (Nasdaq: ASO) has announced two significant shareholder initiatives. The company's Board of Directors has approved a new $700 million share repurchase program, replacing the previous program which had $423 million remaining. The new program will be effective from December 4, 2024, for three years. Additionally, the Board declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.11 per share for the fiscal quarter ended November 2, 2024, payable on January 15, 2025, to stockholders of record as of December 18, 2024.

Positive

• New $700 million share repurchase program approved
• Quarterly dividend of $0.11 per share maintained
• Three-year duration provides long-term commitment to shareholder returns

Negative

• Replaces existing program with $423 million still remaining

Insights

Financial Analyst

Academy Sports' new $700 million share repurchase program represents a significant capital return initiative, replacing the previous program which had $423 million remaining. This larger authorization signals management's confidence in the company's financial position and commitment to shareholder returns. The program's three-year duration provides flexibility in execution timing.

The maintained quarterly dividend of $0.11 per share, while modest, demonstrates a balanced approach to capital allocation. Based on current share price, this represents a yield of approximately 0.6%. The combined share repurchase and dividend strategy indicates strong free cash flow generation and a shareholder-friendly capital return policy. The buyback program's size represents about 20% of the company's current market capitalization, suggesting potential meaningful support for the stock price.

KATY, Texas, Dec. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- This press release is being issued to replace in its entirety a press release issued earlier today that contained a typographical error regarding the remaining availability under the preceding share repurchase program.

Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. (the “Company” or “Academy”) (Nasdaq: ASO) announced today that its Board of Directors approved a new share repurchase program authorizing the Company to repurchase up to $700 million of its outstanding common stock. This new share repurchase program replaces the preceding share repurchase program, of which $423 million remained as of the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2024, and is effective as of December 4, 2024, for a period of three years.

The Company also announced today that its Board of Directors approved the declaration of a quarterly cash dividend with respect to the fiscal quarter ended November 2, 2024, of $0.11 per share of the Company's common stock. The dividend is payable on January 15, 2025, to stockholders of record as of the close of business on December 18, 2024.

About Academy Sports + Outdoors
Academy is a leading full-line sporting goods and outdoor recreation retailer in the United States. Originally founded in 1938 as a family business in Texas, Academy has grown to 298 stores across 19 states. Academy’s mission is to provide “Fun for All” and Academy fulfills this mission with a localized merchandising strategy and value proposition that strongly connects with a broad range of consumers. Academy’s product assortment focuses on key categories of outdoor, apparel, sports & recreation and footwear through both leading national brands and a portfolio of private label brands. For more information, visit www.academy.com.   

Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current expectations and are not guarantees of future performance. The forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements regarding the payment of the dividend, including the timing and amount thereof, share repurchases by the Company, the Company's expectations regarding its future performance, and the Company's future financial condition to support future dividend and share repurchase program growth, and are subject to various risks, uncertainties, assumptions, or changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict or quantify. Actual results may differ materially from these expectations due to factors that are set forth in Academy's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statement in this press release speaks only as of the date of this release. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, except as may be required by any applicable securities laws.

Investor Contact		Media Contact
Brad Morris		Meredith Klein
Director of Strategic Initiatives		Vice President of Communications
832-739-4373		346-823-6615
brad.morris@academy.com		meredith.klein@academy.com

FAQ

What is the size of Academy Sports (ASO) new share repurchase program?

Academy Sports announced a new $700 million share repurchase program effective December 4, 2024.

When will Academy Sports (ASO) pay its latest quarterly dividend?

Academy Sports will pay a quarterly dividend of $0.11 per share on January 15, 2025, to stockholders of record as of December 18, 2024.

How long will Academy Sports (ASO) new share repurchase program last?

The new share repurchase program will be effective for a period of three years from December 4, 2024.

How much remained in Academy Sports (ASO) previous share repurchase program?

$423 million remained in the previous share repurchase program as of the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2024.