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American Outdoor Brands Inc

For the period ended Apr 30, 2025. Filed Jun 26, 2025.

View on SEC.gov

About this filing

A company's yearly report to the SEC, with audited financial statements. It is the fullest account a company gives of its business, its finances and the risks it sees.

FY2025 · Filed Jun 26, 2025

AOUT$18.35+6.0%Stored close · as of Nov 9, 2026

What changed in Risk Factors?

Read the current filing

Previous report: 10-K

Period ended 2024-04-30; filed 2024-06-27.

0000950170-24-078463

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS

Current report: 10-K

Period ended 2025-04-30; filed 2025-06-26.

0001808997-25-000014

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

The baseline is this issuer’s latest earlier reporting period of the same form that was filed before the current report. A previous 10-Q is a different quarter, not a year-over-year comparison. Amendments are excluded.

Compared 300 previous paragraphs and 303 current paragraphs.

277 unchanged; 20 reworded; 5 added; 3 removed; 0 previous and 1 current paragraphs rearranged.

Tables are not compared: 0 previous and 0 current tables excluded. Dates, whitespace, punctuation and numbering changes are ignored; changes to financial figures remain significant.

A changed paragraph is not evidence that risk increased or decreased. An unchanged paragraph does not establish that risk stayed the same.

Added paragraphs (5)

Current report

•The dynamic tariff landscape may increase our operating costs and distract us from long-term plans.

Current report

The dynamic tariff landscape may increase our operating costs and limit our ability to create or execute our long-term plans.

Current report

The current political and economic environment is dynamic and uncertain, as the current U.S. administration has imposed, modified and paused tariffs, and granted exemptions from tariffs, on different countries and products multiple times recently. If we are unable to mitigate the impacts of tariffs through supply chain adjustments, pricing strategies, or other measures, our financial performance and growth prospects could be negatively affected. Continuing changes in the tariff landscape may limit our ability to create or execute our long-term plans or goals, particularly concerning the sourcing of the products we design and our pricing strategies.

Current report

Artificial Intelligence (AI), presents new risks and challenges that may affect our business. We have made investments to integrate AI and machine learning technology into our operations and these AI applications may become more important in our operations over time. Our competitors or other third parties may incorporate AI into their operations and products more quickly or more successfully than us, which could impair our ability to compete effectively against our competitors and adversely affect our business and results of operations. We recognize that the integration of AI into our product development, software applications, customer service, and other business operations presents new or unknown intellectual property and cybersecurity risks and challenges. Rapid technological progress in the industry regarding new and emerging AI technologies, such as agentic and generative AI, may require additional investment in the development, integration, security, and maintenance, as well as the development of appropriate policies and safeguards to maintain a responsible and ethical AI framework. These requirements could increase our expenses as we continue to expand the application of AI technologies where warranted, or to address changes to AI technologies, frameworks, or regulations.

Current report

•the amendment of our Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws by our Board of Directors;
Removed paragraphs (3)

Previous report

Acquisitions involve significant risks, and we cannot assure you of our ability to complete acquisitions that we desire to make in the future.

Previous report

the amendment of our Third Amended and Restated Bylaws by our Board of Directors;

Previous report

the amendment of the provisions of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation providing for (i) the removal of directors elected by the holders of our common stock solely by 66 2/3% of the voting power of such holders, (ii) the filling of vacancies with respect to directors elected by the holders of our common stock and newly created directorships created from an increase in the number of such directors solely by our Board of Directors, (iii) the amendment of our Third Amended and Restated Bylaws by 66 2/3% of the voting power of our stockholders, (iv) the calling of special meetings solely by the Chairperson of our Board of Directors, our President, or our Board of Directors, and (v) the prohibition on the ability of holders of our common stock to act by written consent in lieu of a meeting, in each case, by a vote of 66 2/3% of the voting power of our stockholders;
Reworded paragraphs (20)

Previous wording

Acquisitions involve significant risks, and we cannot assure you of our ability to complete acquisitions that we desire to make in the future.

Current wording

•Acquisitions involve significant risks, and we may not be able to complete acquisitions that we desire to make in the future.

Previous wording

Seasonality, weather conditions, and periodic fluctuations may cause our operating results to vary from quarter to quarter.

Current wording

•Seasonality, weather conditions, and periodic fluctuations, such as changes in customer ordering patterns, may cause our operating results to vary from quarter to quarter.

Previous wording

Provisions of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, our Third Amended and Restated Bylaws, and Delaware law may prevent or delay an acquisition of our company, which could decrease the trading price of our common stock.

Current wording

•Provisions of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, our Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws, and Delaware law may prevent or delay an acquisition of our company, which could decrease the trading price of our common stock.

Previous wording

Our Third Amended and Restated Bylaws designate Delaware as the exclusive forum for certain litigation, which may limit our stockholders’ ability to choose a judicial forum for disputes with us.

Current wording

•Our Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws designate Delaware as the exclusive forum for certain litigation, which may limit our stockholders’ ability to choose a judicial forum for disputes with us.

Previous wording

A reduction or interruption in any of our supply chain could adversely affect us. The failure of our suppliers to perform to our expectations could result in supply shortages or delays for certain products and components and harm our business. Our suppliers may encounter difficulties and other issues in obtaining the materials necessary to produce the components and parts that we use in our products. Political and economic instability in countries in which foreign suppliers are located, the financial and managerial instability of suppliers, the failure by suppliers to meet our standards, failure to meet production deadlines, insufficient quality control, problems with production capacity, labor problems experienced by our suppliers, the availability of raw materials to our suppliers, product quality issues, currency exchange rates, transport availability and cost, inflation, and other factors relating to suppliers and the countries in which they are located may exist and could adversely affect our business. Damage or disruption to manufacturing and distribution capabilities of, or the disruption of deliveries from, our suppliers because of severe or catastrophic events, including weather, natural disaster, fire or explosion, terrorism, pandemics, or labor disruptions, including at ports or at our suppliers, could impair our product sales.

Current wording

A reduction or interruption in any of our supply chain could adversely affect us. The failure of our suppliers to perform to our expectations could result in supply shortages or delays for certain products and components and harm our business. Our suppliers may encounter difficulties and other issues in obtaining the materials necessary to produce the components and parts that we use in our products. Political and economic instability in countries in which foreign suppliers are located, the financial and managerial instability of suppliers, the failure by suppliers to meet our standards, failure to meet production deadlines, insufficient quality control, problems with production capacity, labor problems experienced by our suppliers, the availability of raw materials to our suppliers, product quality issues, currency exchange rates, tariffs, transport availability and cost, inflation, and other factors relating to suppliers and the countries in which they are located may exist and could adversely affect our business. Damage or disruption to manufacturing and distribution capabilities of, or the disruption of deliveries from, our suppliers because of severe or catastrophic events, including weather, natural disaster, fire or explosion, terrorism, pandemics, or labor disruptions, including at ports or at our suppliers, could impair our product sales.

Previous wording

We operate in highly competitive markets that are characterized by competition from major and small domestic and international companies. Our competitors include Vista Outdoor Inc. and a large number of small private companies that directly compete with a limited number of our brands.

Current wording

We operate in highly competitive markets that are characterized by competition from major and small domestic and international companies. Our competitors primarily include a large number of private companies that directly compete with our brands.

Previous wording

We sell our products through online retailers, sport specialty stores, sporting goods stores, dealers and distributors, and mass market home and auto retailers. The world’s largest e-commerce retailer accounted for 22.0% of our fiscal 2024 net sales through its very extensive customer base of end consumers.

Current wording

We sell our products through online retailers, sport specialty stores, sporting goods stores, dealers and distributors, and mass market home and auto retailers. The world’s largest e-commerce retailer accounted for 20.3% of our fiscal 2025 net sales through its very extensive customer base of end consumers.

Previous wording

Social, political, and other factors also can affect our performance. Concerns and uncertainties about the 2024 U.S. presidential election, congressional, and state elections and legislature and policy shifts resulting from those elections can affect the demand for our products. In addition, speculation surrounding increased gun control and hunting regulations at the federal, state, and local level can affect consumer demand for our products since a significant amount of our products find applications in shooting and hunting activities. Often, such concerns and uncertainties result in an increase in near-term consumer demand and subsequent softening of demand when such concerns subside. Inventory levels in excess of customer demand may negatively impact our business, operating results, and financial condition.

Current wording

Social, political, and other factors also can affect our performance. Concerns and uncertainties about U.S. presidential, congressional, and state elections and legislature and policy shifts can affect the demand for our products. In addition, speculation surrounding increased gun control and hunting regulations at the federal, state, and local level can affect consumer demand for our products since a significant amount of our products find applications in shooting and hunting activities. Often, such concerns and uncertainties result in an increase in near-term consumer demand and subsequent softening of demand when such concerns subside. Inventory levels in excess of customer demand may negatively impact our business, operating results, and financial condition.

Previous wording

Seasonality, weather conditions, and periodic fluctuations may cause our operating results to vary from quarter to quarter.

Current wording

Seasonality, weather conditions, and periodic fluctuations, such as changes in customer ordering patterns, may cause our operating results to vary from quarter to quarter.

Previous wording

Our business is typically seasonal. Our sales have typically been highest between August and October due to shipments around the fall hunting and holiday seasons. The seasonality of our sales may change in the future. Seasonal variations in our operating results may reduce our cash on hand, increase our inventory levels, and extend our accounts receivable collection periods. This in turn may cause us to increase our debt levels and interest expense to fund our working capital requirements.

Current wording

Our business is typically seasonal. Our sales have typically been highest between August and January due to shipments around the fall hunting and holiday seasons. In addition, there is heightened demand for our fishing and outdoor cooking products during the spring and early summer months. The seasonality of our sales may change in the future. Seasonal variations in our operating results may reduce our cash on hand, increase our inventory levels, and extend our accounts receivable collection periods. This in turn may cause us to increase our debt levels and interest expense to fund our working capital requirements.

Previous wording

Provisions of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, our Third Amended and Restated Bylaws, and Delaware law may prevent or delay an acquisition of our company, which could decrease the trading price of our common stock.

Current wording

Provisions of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, our Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws, and Delaware law may prevent or delay an acquisition of our company, which could decrease the trading price of our common stock.

Previous wording

Several provisions of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, Third Amended and Restated Bylaws, and Delaware law may discourage, delay, or prevent a merger or acquisition of our company that our stockholders may consider favorable. These include provisions that provide for the following:

Current wording

Several provisions of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws, and Delaware law may discourage, delay, or prevent a merger or acquisition of our company that our stockholders may consider favorable. These include provisions that provide for the following:

Previous wording

the amendment of our Third Amended and Restated Bylaws by our stockholders solely by a vote of 66 2/3% of the voting power thereof;

Current wording

•the amendment of our Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws by our stockholders solely by a majority vote of the voting power thereof;

Previous wording

We believe these provisions will protect our stockholders from coercive or otherwise unfair takeover tactics by requiring potential acquirers to negotiate with our Board of Directors and by providing our Board of Directors with more time to assess any acquisition proposal. These provisions are not intended to make us immune from takeovers. However, these provisions apply even if a takeover offer may be considered beneficial by some stockholders and could delay or prevent an acquisition that our Board of Directors determines is not in our stockholders’ best interests. These and other provisions of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, Third Amended and Restated Bylaws, and Delaware law may, however, discourage, delay, or prevent certain types of transactions involving an actual or a threatened acquisition or change in control of us, including unsolicited takeover attempts, even though the transaction may offer our stockholders the opportunity to sell their shares of our common stock at a price above the prevailing market price.

Current wording

We believe these provisions will protect our stockholders from coercive or otherwise unfair takeover tactics by requiring potential acquirers to negotiate with our Board of Directors and by providing our Board of Directors with more time to assess any acquisition proposal. These provisions are not intended to make us immune from takeovers. However, these provisions apply even if a takeover offer may be considered beneficial by some stockholders and could delay or prevent an acquisition that our Board of Directors determines is not in our stockholders’ best interests. These and other provisions of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws, and Delaware law may, however, discourage, delay, or prevent certain types of transactions involving an actual or a threatened acquisition or change in control of us, including unsolicited takeover attempts, even though the transaction may offer our stockholders the opportunity to sell their shares of our common stock at a price above the prevailing market price.

Previous wording

Our Third Amended and Restated Bylaws designate Delaware as the exclusive forum for certain litigation, which may limit our stockholders’ ability to choose a judicial forum for disputes with us.

Current wording

Our Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws designate Delaware as the exclusive forum for certain litigation, which may limit our stockholders’ ability to choose a judicial forum for disputes with us.

Previous wording

Pursuant to our Third Amended and Restated Bylaws, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the state of Delaware will be the sole and exclusive forum for (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf; (b) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of our directors, officers, or employees or our stockholders; (c) any civil action to interpret, apply, or enforce any provision of the General Corporation Law of the state of Delaware, or the DGCL; (d) any civil action to interpret, apply, enforce, or determine the validity of the provisions of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or Third Amended and Restated Bylaws; or (e) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine. However, if the Court of Chancery of the state of Delaware lacks jurisdiction over such action, our Third Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that the sole and exclusive forum for such action will be another state or federal court located within the state of Delaware, in all cases, subject to such court having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants. Our Amended and Restated Bylaws also provide that any person purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in our stock will be deemed to have notice of and consented to the foregoing Delaware exclusive forum provisions. Our Third Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that the foregoing Delaware exclusive forum provisions do not apply to any action asserting claims under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act. The Delaware exclusive forum provisions will require our stockholders to bring certain types of actions or proceedings relating to Delaware law in the Court of Chancery of the state of Delaware or another state or federal court in the state of Delaware and therefore may prevent our stockholders from bringing such actions or proceedings in another court that a stockholder may view as more convenient, cost-effective, or advantageous to the stockholder or the claims made in such action or proceeding, and may discourage the actions or proceedings covered by the Delaware exclusive forum provisions.

Current wording

Pursuant to our Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the state of Delaware will be the sole and exclusive forum for (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf; (b) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of our directors, officers, or employees or our stockholders; (c) any civil action to interpret, apply, or enforce any provision of the General Corporation Law of the state of Delaware, or the DGCL; (d) any civil action to interpret, apply, enforce, or determine the validity of the provisions of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws; or (e) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine. However, if the Court of Chancery of the state of Delaware lacks jurisdiction over such action, our Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that the sole and exclusive forum for such action will be another state or federal court located within the state of Delaware, in all cases, subject to such court having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants. Our Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws also provide that any person purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in our stock will be deemed to have notice of and consented to the foregoing Delaware exclusive forum provisions. Our Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that the foregoing Delaware exclusive forum provisions do not apply to any action asserting claims under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act. The Delaware exclusive forum provisions will require our stockholders to bring certain types of actions or proceedings relating to Delaware law in the Court of Chancery of the state of Delaware or another state or federal court in the state of Delaware and therefore may prevent our stockholders from bringing such actions or proceedings in another court that a stockholder may view as more convenient, cost-effective, or advantageous to the stockholder or the claims made in such action or proceeding, and may discourage the actions or proceedings covered by the Delaware exclusive forum provisions.

Previous wording

We are an emerging growth company, and, for as long as we continue to be an emerging growth company, we currently intend to take advantage of exemptions from various reporting requirements applicable to other public companies but not to “emerging growth companies,” including, not being required to have our independent registered public accounting firm audit our internal control over financial reporting under Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our registration statements, periodic reports, and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. We will cease to be an emerging growth company upon the earliest to occur of the following: (i) the last day of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the Distribution; (ii) the last day of the fiscal year with at least $1.07 billion in annual revenue; (iii) the last day of the fiscal year in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means that we have been public for at least 12 months, have filed at least one annual report, and the market value of our common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the last day of our then-most recently completed second fiscal quarter; or (iv) the date on which we have issued more than $1 billion of non-convertible debt during the prior three-year period. We cannot predict if investors will find our common stock less attractive if we choose to rely on exemptions from certain disclosure requirements. If some investors find our common stock less attractive as a result of any choices to reduce future disclosure, there may be a less active trading market for our common stock and the price of our common stock may be more volatile.

Current wording

We are an emerging growth company, and, for as long as we continue to be an emerging growth company, we currently intend to take advantage of exemptions from various reporting requirements applicable to other public companies but not to “emerging growth companies,” including, not being required to have our independent registered public accounting firm audit our internal control over financial reporting under Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our registration statements, periodic reports, and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. We will cease to be an emerging growth company upon the earliest to occur of the following: (i) the last day of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the Separation; (ii) the last day of the fiscal year with at least $1.07 billion in annual revenue; (iii) the last day of the fiscal year in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means that we have been public for at least 12 months, have filed at least one annual report, and the market value of our common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the last day of our then-most recently completed second fiscal quarter; or (iv) the date on which we have issued more than $1 billion of non-convertible debt during the prior three-year period. We will cease to be an emerging growth company on April 30, 2026, or our next fiscal year, which is the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the Separation. We cannot predict if investors will find our common stock less attractive if we choose to rely on exemptions from certain disclosure requirements. If some investors find our common stock less attractive as a result of any choices to reduce future disclosure, there may be a less active trading market for our common stock and the price of our common stock may be more volatile.

Previous wording

In addition, as our business grows, we may cease to satisfy the conditions of an “emerging growth company.” Under the JOBS Act, “emerging growth companies” can delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies. We have irrevocably elected not to avail ourselves of this exemption from new or revised accounting standards and, therefore, we will be subject to the same new or revised accounting standards as other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies.”

Current wording

Under the JOBS Act, “emerging growth companies” can delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies. We have irrevocably elected not to avail ourselves of this exemption from new or revised accounting standards and, therefore, we will be subject to the same new or revised accounting standards as other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies.”

Previous wording

After we are no longer an “emerging growth company,” we expect to incur additional management time and cost to comply with the more stringent reporting requirements applicable to companies that are deemed large accelerated filers, including complying with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley.

Current wording

After we are no longer an “emerging growth company” in our next fiscal year, we expect to incur additional management time and cost to comply with the more stringent reporting requirements applicable to companies that are deemed large accelerated filers, including complying with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley.

Previous wording

In accordance with Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley, our management is required to conduct an annual assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting and include a report on these internal controls in the annual reports we will file with the SEC on Form 10-K. Our independent registered public accounting firm will not be required to formally attest to the effectiveness of our internal controls while we remain an emerging growth company. When applicable, this process will require significant documentation of policies, procedures, and systems; review of that documentation by our internal auditing and accounting staff and our outside independent registered public accounting firm; and testing of our internal controls over financial reporting by our internal auditing and accounting staff and our outside independent registered public accounting firm. This process will involve considerable time and attention, may strain our internal resources, and will increase our operating costs. We may experience higher than anticipated operating expenses and outside auditor fees during the implementation of these changes and thereafter. If management or our independent registered public accounting firm determines that our internal control over financial reporting is not effective, investors may lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, the market price of our common stock could be negatively affected, and we could become subject to investigations by Nasdaq, the SEC, or other regulatory authorities, which could require additional financial and management resources. In addition, if our controls are not effective, our ability to accurately and timely report our financial position could be impaired, which could result in late filings of our annual and quarterly reports under the Exchange Act, restatements of our financial statements, a decline in our stock price, suspension or delisting of our common stock from Nasdaq, and a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, and financial condition.

Current wording

In accordance with Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley, our management is required to conduct an annual assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting and include a report on these internal controls in the annual reports we will file with the SEC on Form 10-K. Our independent registered public accounting firm will not be required to formally attest to the effectiveness of our internal controls while we remain an emerging growth company. When applicable, this process will require significant documentation of policies, procedures, and systems; review of that documentation by our internal auditing and accounting staff and our outside independent registered public accounting firm; and testing of our internal controls over financial reporting by our internal auditing and accounting staff and our outside independent registered public accounting firm. This process will involve considerable time and attention, may strain our internal resources, and will increase our operating costs. We may experience higher than anticipated operating expenses and outside auditor fees during the implementation of these changes and thereafter. If management or our independent registered public accounting firm determines that our internal control over financial reporting is not effective, investors may lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, the market price of our common stock could be negatively affected, and we could become subject to investigations by Nasdaq, the SEC, or other regulatory authorities, which could require additional financial and management resources. In addition, if our controls are not effective, our ability to accurately and timely report our financial position could be impaired, which could result in late filings of our annual and quarterly reports under the Exchange Act, restatements of our financial statements, a decline in our stock price, suspension or delisting of our common stock from Nasdaq, and a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, and financial condition. In our next fiscal year ending April 30, 2026, our independent registered public accounting firm will be required to formally attest to the effectiveness of our internal controls.
Rearranged current paragraphs (1)

Current report — wording carried from elsewhere

Acquisitions involve significant risks, and we may not be able to complete acquisitions that we desire to make in the future.