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ASO vs LOW
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Academy Sports and Outdoors (ASO) vs. Lowe's Companies (LOW) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Academy Sports and Outdoors (ASO) operates as a specialty retailer focused on sporting goods and outdoor recreation, while Lowe's Companies (LOW) is a leading home improvement retailer serving both consumers and professionals.
- In recent market activity, ASO has shown modest year-to-date returns around 2.6% with a market capitalization near $3.4 billion, compared to LOW's stronger YTD performance of approximately 11.8% and market capitalization exceeding $118 billion.
- Both companies reported positive comparable sales trends in their most recent quarters, with ASO expecting 2-3% growth and LOW delivering 0.6% growth alongside affirmed full-year guidance.
- LOW benefits from scale, a dividend increase, and strength in its Pro and digital segments, whereas ASO maintains a more compact valuation profile ahead of its upcoming earnings release.
- Relative momentum favors LOW on stability and sector positioning in home improvement, while ASO offers exposure to discretionary consumer spending in sports and outdoors.
- Market sentiment reflects broader retail caution, with both stocks trading within established ranges amid economic and housing market influences.
Introduction
This comparison examines ASO and LOW to highlight differences in business models, recent performance, and market positioning. The analysis is relevant for traders and investors seeking exposure to consumer discretionary retail, particularly those evaluating specialty versus broad-line home and leisure categories. It provides context on relative momentum, valuation characteristics, and sector dynamics without forward-looking projections.
ASO Overview and Recent Performance
Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. (ASO) is a specialty retailer offering sporting goods, outdoor recreation equipment, and apparel across a network of stores primarily in the southern and southwestern United States. In recent market activity, the stock has traded in a range near $51, reflecting a year-to-date return of approximately 2.6% and a one-year return near 21%. Preliminary first-quarter fiscal 2026 sales indicated growth of 6-7%, with comparable sales rising 2-3%. The company maintains a compact balance sheet with a market capitalization around $3.4 billion. Upcoming first-quarter earnings, scheduled for release shortly, are expected to provide further insight into operational trends amid consumer spending patterns in discretionary categories.
LOW Overview and Recent Performance
Lowe's Companies, Inc. (LOW) is one of the largest home improvement retailers, serving do-it-yourself consumers and professional contractors through an extensive store network and digital channels. In recent market activity, the stock has traded near $211, delivering a year-to-date return of approximately 11.8% and a one-year return near 5.6%. First-quarter fiscal 2026 results showed total sales of $23.1 billion, comparable sales growth of 0.6%, and adjusted diluted earnings per share of $3.03. The company affirmed its full-year 2026 outlook and implemented a quarterly dividend increase. With a market capitalization exceeding $118 billion, LOW demonstrated resilience in its Pro segment and online sales, which rose 15.5%, despite broader housing market pressures.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
ASO and LOW differ significantly in scale and focus. ASO targets niche consumer spending in sporting goods and outdoor activities, resulting in higher sensitivity to discretionary trends and seasonal factors. In contrast, LOW benefits from the more essential nature of home improvement, supported by professional contractor demand and recurring project needs. Recent momentum shows LOW outperforming on a year-to-date basis with greater stability from its diversified revenue streams, while ASO trades at a more compact valuation multiple. Risk factors for ASO include exposure to consumer confidence fluctuations, whereas LOW faces headwinds from housing market slowdowns offset by strength in services and digital channels. Sector exposure positions LOW more defensively within retail, with broader market capitalization providing liquidity advantages.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors such as trend consistency, earnings stability, and relative positioning in recent market activity, Tickeron’s AI would currently assign a probabilistic preference to LOW. Its larger scale, affirmed guidance, and demonstrated resilience in key segments provide a more consistent profile compared to ASO’s smaller size and upcoming earnings catalyst. This assessment reflects measurable differences in performance metrics and sector dynamics rather than definitive outcomes.
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 LOW is a Buy.
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 whileLOW’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s).
- ASO’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- LOW’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 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 3 TA indicator(s) are bullish while LOW’s TA Score has 5 bullish TA indicator(s).
- ASO’s TA Score: 3 bullish, 4 bearish.
- LOW’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 3 bearish.
Price Growth
ASO (@Specialty Stores) experienced а -1.43% price change this week, while LOW (@Home Improvement Chains) price change was +4.76% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Specialty Stores industry was +7.13%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +15.73%, and the average quarterly price growth was -0.56%.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Home Improvement Chains industry was +7.54%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +3.14%, and the average quarterly price growth was -12.07%.
Reported Earning Dates
ASO is expected to report earnings on Sep 09, 2026.
LOW is expected to report earnings on Aug 19, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Specialty Stores (+7.13% 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 (+7.54% 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 | LOW | ASO / LOW | |
| Capitalization | 3.16B | 124B | 3% |
| EBITDA | 645M | 12.6B | 5% |
| Gain YTD | 2.391 | -7.598 | -31% |
| P/E Ratio | 9.01 | 18.66 | 48% |
| Revenue | 6.05B | 88.4B | 7% |
| Total Cash | 330M | 786M | 42% |
| Total Debt | 1.89B | 42.5B | 4% |
LOW | ||
|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 6 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 4 Undervalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 68 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 4 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 59 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 49 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 24 |
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 | LOW | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | N/A | 3 days ago 61% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 78% | 3 days ago 62% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 69% | 3 days ago 67% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 80% | 3 days ago 57% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 72% | 3 days ago 62% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 73% | 3 days ago 61% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 20 days ago 74% | 18 days ago 60% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 5 days ago 76% | 13 days ago 57% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | N/A | 3 days ago 69% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 64% | 3 days ago 65% |
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| 1 Day | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ETFs / NAME | Price $ | Chg $ | Chg % |
| ACWV | 122.17 | 0.41 | +0.34% |
| iShares MSCI Global Min Vol Factor ETF | |||
| DOGG | 21.90 | 0.05 | +0.21% |
| FT Vest DJIA® Dogs 10 Trgt Inc ETF | |||
| YBST | 14.31 | N/A | N/A |
| GraniteShares YieldBOOST SingleStkUniETF | |||
| FRA | 10.99 | -0.01 | -0.09% |
| Blackrock Floating Rate Income Strategies Fund | |||
| NFLU | 21.19 | -0.61 | -2.80% |
| T-REX 2X Long NFLX Daily Target ETF | |||
LOW and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, LOW has been closely correlated with HD. These tickers have moved in lockstep 88% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if LOW jumps, then HD could also see price increases.