Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. reported that fiscal second quarter sales increased 3.0 percent year-over-year to $1.65 billion, compared to $1.60 billion in the year-ago second quarter. Comp store sales dipped 0.4 percent for the period, cycling against a 0.2 percent positive comp in Q2 last year. Revenues fall short of analysts’ expectations for sales to be $1.66 billion, or up 3.8 percent from the year-ago quarter.
Net income for the second quarter jumped 10.0 percent to $137.9 million, or $2.17 per diluted share, compared to net income of $164.8 million, or $1.85 per diluted share, in Q2 last year. Analysts estimated that the big box sporting goods retailer would post quarterly earnings of $2.12 per share for the quarter, or a year-over-year increase of 9.3 percent.
“We delivered another quarter of profitable growth, with net sales increasing 3.0 percent. While consumer spending remains pressured, particularly among lower-income households, our team has continued to execute at a high level by focusing on the key events and categories that matter most to our customers,” said Steve Lawrence, CEO, Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. “We are reinvesting tariff-related benefits into value, expanding compelling new brands and categories, and accelerating initiatives across stores, omni-channel and loyalty. These actions are helping us gain market share, strengthen customer engagement and reinforce our confidence in achieving our fiscal 2026 sales and earnings objectives.”
Balance Sheet Summary
As of August 1, 2026 inventory per store was down 5.6 percent in units and down 2.3 percent in dollars.
Stores
Academy opened three new stores during the second quarter, bringing its total to 327 locations. The Company plans to open eleven stores during the third quarter, with the remaining locations to be opened in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026.
2026 Outlook
“Our second quarter results demonstrate the strength of the business and the discipline of our operating model. We delivered double digit EPS growth, produced strong free cash flow and continued returning capital to shareholders through both share repurchases and dividends. Importantly, we accomplished this while investing in strategic growth initiatives designed to support sustainable long-term growth,” said company EVP & CFO Carl Ford. “As we enter the second half of the year, our balance sheet remains strong, our growth drivers are performing well and we are well positioned to deliver within our fiscal 2026 outlook.”
Academy provided the following updated guidance for fiscal 2026 ending January 30, 2027, as compared to the guidance given on June 9, 2026. This guidance takes into account various factors, both internal and external, such as the expected benefits of the Company’s growth initiatives, current consumer demand, the competitive environment, and potential impacts from inflation and other economic risks; actual results may differ materially.
Image, data and tables courtesy Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc.
