** Shares of sporting goods retailer Academy Sports and Outdoors ASO.O up 2% at $48.50 premarket

** ASO reports a smaller-than-expected drop in same store sales for Q4, according to data compiled by LSEG

** Co also beats Q4 adjusted profit estimates, and reports sales in line with expectations

** However, annual sales and adjusted profit forecasts are largely below estimates

** ASO fell 17.3% YTD, as of last close

(Reporting by Neil J Kanatt in Bengaluru)

((Neil.JKanatt@thomsonreuters.com;))