Comparable Sales Rose 5%, Marking 19 Consecutive Quarters of Growth
American Eagle Comps Rose 2%, Aerie Increased 20%
PITTSBURGH — (BUSINESS WIRE) — American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (NYSE: AEO) today reported EPS of $0.48 for the quarter ended November 2, 2019, compared to $0.48 for the quarter ended November 3, 2018.
Jay Schottenstein, AEO’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer commented, “Strong top line performance across brands and channels led to our 19th consecutive quarter of comparable sales growth and record third quarter revenue. In a tough environment, we reported EPS in line with our guidance. We continued to deliver on our strategic pillars, with Aerie and American Eagle Jeans demonstrating strong sales and profit growth. Softer demand in certain AE apparel categories led to higher markdowns and has persisted into the fourth quarter. The team has been working hard to quickly course correct, and our focus is squarely on continuing to capitalize on the strength of our brands, accelerating the growth of Aerie, and creating shareholder value.”
Third Quarter 2019 Results
- Total net revenue increased $63 million, or 6% to a record $1.07 billion compared to $1.00 billion last year.
- Consolidated comparable sales increased 5%, following an 8% comparable sales increase last year, and were positive across both store and digital channels.
- By brand, American Eagle’s comparable sales increased 2%, following a 5% increase last year. Aerie’s comparable sales increased 20%, building on a 32% increase last year and marking the 20th consecutive quarter of double-digit sales growth.
- Gross profit rose 2% to $407 million from $399 million. The gross margin rate of 38.2% compared to 39.8% last year. The decline primarily reflected increased markdowns.
- Selling, general and administrative expense of $259 million increased 4% from $248 million last year, reflecting higher store salaries and professional fees, partly offset by lower incentive expense. As a rate to revenue, SG&A improved to 24.3% compared to 24.8% last year.
- Depreciation expense increased 6% to $45 million from $42 million last year and was 4.2% as a rate to revenue, flat to last year.
- Operating income of $103 million compared to $109 million last year. As a rate to revenue, operating income of 9.7% compared to 10.8% last year.
- Other income of $3 million compared to $4 million last year. The decrease is primarily attributable to a benefit from a vendor settlement recorded last year.
- EPS of $0.48 was flat to last year.
Inventory
Total ending inventories at cost increased 9% to $647 million. The increase largely reflects inventory to support strong demand for AE Jeans, including new styles and expanded sizes. New store openings, primarily for Aerie, also contributed to the increase.
Capital Expenditures
In the third quarter, capital expenditures totaled $58 million, primarily related to store remodeling projects and new openings, with the balance to support the digital business and corporate IT. On a year-to-date basis, capital expenditures have totaled $150 million. We continue to expect annual capital expenditures to be in the range of $200 to $215 million.
Shareholder Returns, Cash and Investments
During the third quarter, the company returned $55 million to shareholders through cash dividends and share repurchases. We paid cash dividends of $23 million and repurchased 2.0 million shares for $32 million. Year to date, we have repurchased a total of 6.3 million shares for a total of $112 million and have 35.4 million shares remaining under the current authorization. We ended the third quarter with total cash and investments of $265 million.
Store Information
During the quarter, the company opened 6 American Eagle stores, ending with 945 American Eagle stores, including 170 Aerie side-by-side locations. Additionally, the company opened 12 Aerie stand-alone stores and closed 1, ending with 142 Aerie stand-alone stores. Internationally, the company ended the quarter with 241 licensed stores compared to 223 last year. For additional store information, see the accompanying table.
Fourth Quarter Outlook
Management expects fourth quarter 2019 EPS to be in the range of $0.34 to $0.36, with comparable sales approximately flat. This guidance excludes potential asset impairment and restructuring charges. Last year, the company reported EPS of $0.43 for the fourth quarter.
Conference Call and Supplemental Financial Information
Today, management will host a conference call and real time webcast at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time. To listen to the call, dial 1-877 407-0789 or 1-201 689-8562 (international) and provide the Conference ID 13695188 or go to http://investors.ae.com to access the webcast and audio replay. Additionally, a financial results presentation is posted on the company’s website.
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About American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.
American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (NYSE: AEO) is a leading global specialty retailer offering high-quality, on-trend clothing, accessories and personal care products at affordable prices under its American Eagle® and Aerie® brands. Our purpose is to show the world that there’s REAL power in the optimism of youth. The company operates more than 1,000 stores in the United States, Canada, Mexico, China and Hong Kong, and ships to 81 countries worldwide through its websites. American Eagle and Aerie merchandise also is available at more than 200 international locations operated by licensees in 24 countries. For more information, please visit www.aeo-inc.com.
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
This release and related statements by management contain forward-looking statements (as such term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995), which represent our expectations or beliefs concerning future events, including fourth quarter 2019 results. All forward-looking statements made by the company involve material risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on many important factors, some of which may be beyond the company’s control. Words such as “estimate,” “project,” “plan,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “potential,” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements. Except as may be required by applicable law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise and even if experience or future changes make it clear that any projected results expressed or implied therein will not be realized. The following factors, in addition to the risks disclosed in Item 1A., Risk Factors, of the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 2, 2019 and in any subsequently-filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in some cases have affected, and in the future could affect, the company’s financial performance and could cause actual results for fourth quarter 2019 and beyond to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any of the forward-looking statements included in this release or otherwise made by management: the risk that the company’s operating, financial and capital plans may not be achieved; our inability to anticipate customer demand and changing fashion trends and to manage our inventory commensurately; seasonality of our business; our inability to achieve planned store financial performance; our inability to react to raw material cost, labor and energy cost increases; our inability to gain market share in the face of declining shopping center traffic; our inability to respond to changes in e-commerce and leverage omni-channel demands; our inability to expand internationally; difficulty with our international merchandise sourcing strategies; challenges with information technology systems, including safeguarding against security breaches; and changes in global economic and financial conditions, and the resulting impact on consumer confidence and consumer spending, as well as other changes in consumer discretionary spending habits, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and liquidity.
CONTACT:
Olivia Messina
412-432-3300
