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ASO vs HD
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Academy Sports and Outdoors (ASO) vs. The Home Depot (HD) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- ASO (Academy Sports and Outdoors) trades at a significantly lower valuation with a trailing P/E around 7.9 compared to HD (The Home Depot) at approximately 22.5, reflecting differences in scale and growth profiles.
- Both companies reported solid recent quarterly results, with ASO posting Q1 fiscal 2026 net sales growth of 6.7% and HD delivering Q2 fiscal 2026 revenue up 5.7% alongside a comparable sales increase of 1.7%.
- ASO benefits from ongoing store expansion and dividend declarations, while HD has highlighted operational discipline, tariff refunds, and AI-driven customer tools amid a challenging housing market.
- Market positioning contrasts sharply: ASO operates in the specialty sporting goods and outdoors segment with a market capitalization near $2.8 billion, whereas HD dominates home improvement retail with a market cap exceeding $320 billion.
- Recent performance shows both stocks experiencing pressure over the past year, with HD facing broader housing-related headwinds and ASO navigating retail sector volatility.
- Relative momentum favors stability in larger-cap names like HD, while ASO offers higher earnings yield potential tied to its lower valuation multiples.
Introduction
Traders and investors often compare ASO and HD to evaluate opportunities across consumer discretionary retail segments. Academy Sports and Outdoors focuses on sporting goods, apparel, and outdoor merchandise, while The Home Depot leads in home improvement products and services. This analysis appeals to those assessing relative performance, sector exposure, and market positioning in the current environment. Both stocks attract attention from growth-oriented and value-focused participants seeking insights into earnings trends, comparable sales, and operational updates. The comparison highlights trade-offs between a smaller specialty retailer and a large-scale home improvement leader without favoring either outlook.
ASO Overview and Recent Performance
Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. (ASO) operates as a specialty retailer offering sporting goods, outdoor recreation products, apparel, and footwear through physical stores and e-commerce. In recent weeks, the stock has traded near $45 with a market capitalization of approximately $2.8 billion. The company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.15 per share in early September 2026, payable in October. Fiscal first-quarter results showed net sales rising 6.7% year-over-year to $1.44 billion, supported by comparable sales growth of 2.9% and e-commerce gains. Store expansion continues, with new locations contributing to revenue. Sentiment reflects a mix of expansion momentum and broader retail sector pressures, with the stock showing volatility within a 52-week range of roughly $41 to $62.
HD Overview and Recent Performance
The Home Depot, Inc. (HD) is the leading home improvement retailer, providing tools, building materials, appliances, and related services across a vast store network and digital platforms. Recent market activity placed the stock around $320 with a market capitalization exceeding $320 billion. Fiscal second-quarter results, reported in August 2026, included revenue of $47.9 billion, up 5.7% from the prior year, and adjusted diluted EPS of $4.92 that exceeded expectations. Comparable sales rose 1.7% company-wide. The company reaffirmed full-year guidance amid a subdued housing market, noting gains in smaller projects and operational efficiencies. Additional developments include tariff refunds and rollout of AI-powered in-store assistance tools. Performance has reflected housing market caution alongside share gains in core categories.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Business models differ markedly: ASO targets niche outdoor and sporting goods consumers with a focus on store expansion and merchandise categories, while HD serves broad home improvement demand through scale, supply chain strength, and project-oriented services. Growth drivers for ASO center on new store openings and e-commerce acceleration, whereas HD emphasizes share gains in a soft housing environment and technology enhancements like AI assistants. Recent momentum shows both delivering earnings beats, yet ASO trades at a lower P/E multiple reflecting its smaller size and cyclical exposure, while HD commands a premium tied to market leadership and dividend stability. Risk factors include retail competition and consumer spending shifts for ASO, contrasted with housing affordability pressures and input costs for HD. Sector exposure places ASO in specialty retail and HD in home improvement, influencing sensitivity to economic cycles. Market sentiment remains balanced, with both stocks viewed through lenses of valuation opportunity versus defensive scale.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors such as trend consistency, earnings stability, and relative positioning, Tickeron’s AI models would currently assign a modest probabilistic preference to HD over ASO. The larger retailer’s scale, recent comparable sales performance, and reaffirmed guidance provide a steadier profile amid prevailing market conditions, though ASO’s lower valuation multiples present compelling attributes for certain strategies. Outcomes remain subject to evolving economic data and sector-specific developments.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is ASO is a Hold and HD is a StrongBuy.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
ASO’s FA Score shows that 1 FA rating(s) are green whileHD’s FA Score has 1 green FA rating(s).
- ASO’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- HD’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
ASO’s TA Score shows that 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while HD’s TA Score has 5 bullish TA indicator(s).
- ASO’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 5 bearish.
- HD’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 5 bearish.
Price Growth
ASO (@Specialty Stores) experienced а +3.31% price change this week, while HD (@Home Improvement Chains) price change was -2.05% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Specialty Stores industry was +2.27%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -2.13%, and the average quarterly price growth was +0.08%.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Home Improvement Chains industry was -1.37%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -8.68%, and the average quarterly price growth was -8.96%.
Reported Earning Dates
ASO is expected to report earnings on Sep 09, 2026.
HD is expected to report earnings on Nov 17, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Specialty Stores (+2.27% weekly)The specialty stores sector includes companies dedicated to the sale of retail products focused on a single product category, such as clothing, carpet, books, or office supplies. A specialty store could face intense competition from big-box departmental chains, and therefore offering an adequate collection of the product type it specializes in is key in maintaining/growing its market.
@Home Improvement Chains (-1.37% weekly)The home improvement chains industry sells home improvement merchandise and do-it-yourself repair and building goods. Customers include individual contractors or construction managers on one hand; on the other hand, there are retail consumers who’d either buy raw materials/items from the store to do a project on their own, or pay extra for installation services. Products sold include fencing supplies, lumber materials, hardware, lighting fixtures, plumbing supplies, home decor items, bathroom remodel items, roofing materials, tools and wallboard to name a few. The Home Depot Inc., Lowe’s Companies, Inc. and Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc. are some of the biggest home improvement retailing companies in the U.S. Allowing all types of customers the flexibility to choose or buy products both offline and online and then having the products shipped to the respective sites/homes are some of the potential drivers of a home improvement chain’s popularity. Many big-box home improvement chains are looking to expand their overseas presence. Supply-chain efficiency and distribution management are some of the key ingredients to grow/make profit in this industry.
| ASO | HD | ASO / HD | |
| Capitalization | 2.79B | 320B | 1% |
| EBITDA | 652M | 25.5B | 3% |
| Gain YTD | -9.520 | -4.673 | 204% |
| P/E Ratio | 7.94 | 22.47 | 35% |
| Revenue | 6.14B | 169B | 4% |
| Total Cash | 338M | 2.09B | 16% |
| Total Debt | 1.95B | 62.6B | 3% |
ASO | HD | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 50 | 50 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 26 Undervalued | 65 Fair valued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 80 | 82 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 48 | 14 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 74 | 61 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 64 | 69 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 85 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
ASO's Valuation (26) in the null industry is somewhat better than the same rating for HD (65) in the Home Improvement Chains industry. This means that ASO’s stock grew somewhat faster than HD’s over the last 12 months.
ASO's Profit vs Risk Rating (80) in the null industry is in the same range as HD (82) in the Home Improvement Chains industry. This means that ASO’s stock grew similarly to HD’s over the last 12 months.
HD's SMR Rating (14) in the Home Improvement Chains industry is somewhat better than the same rating for ASO (48) in the null industry. This means that HD’s stock grew somewhat faster than ASO’s over the last 12 months.
HD's Price Growth Rating (61) in the Home Improvement Chains industry is in the same range as ASO (74) in the null industry. This means that HD’s stock grew similarly to ASO’s over the last 12 months.
ASO's P/E Growth Rating (64) in the null industry is in the same range as HD (69) in the Home Improvement Chains industry. This means that ASO’s stock grew similarly to HD’s over the last 12 months.
| ASO | HD | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 85% | 4 days ago 66% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 77% | 4 days ago 54% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 79% | 4 days ago 49% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 78% | 4 days ago 51% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 73% | 4 days ago 55% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 74% | 4 days ago 58% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 74% | 4 days ago 65% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 7 days ago 76% | 6 days ago 57% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 73% | 4 days ago 76% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 68% | 4 days ago 51% |
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ASO and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, ASO has been loosely correlated with FND. These tickers have moved in lockstep 63% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if ASO jumps, then FND could also see price increases.