AEO American Eagle Outfitters Inc

• Aerie achieved all-time high third quarter revenue with comps up 5%, following 12% reported comp growth last year
• American Eagle comps increased 3%, following 2% reported comp growth last year
• Operating Income was $106 million. Adjusted Operating Income of $124 million reflected an Adjusted Operating Margin of 9.6%
• Annual outlook updated; Remain on track to deliver mid-teen adjusted operating income growth, in line with long-term targets

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (NYSE: AEO) today announced financial results for the third quarter fiscal 2024 ended November 2, 2024.

“Building on our positive performance in the first half of the year, third quarter results provide another proof point of the effectiveness of our Powering Profitable Growth Plan. Led by a strong back-to-school season, we achieved comparable sales growth across brands and channels, and delivered adjusted operating income at the high end of our guidance range,” commented Jay Schottenstein, AEO’s Executive Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer.

“We have entered the holiday season well positioned, with our leading brands offering high-quality merchandise, great gifts and an outstanding shopping experience across channels. Key selling periods have seen a positive customer response, yet we remain cognizant of potential choppiness during non-peak periods. The teams are focused on delivering the quarter and with our strong year-to-date performance, we remain confident in achieving our long-term strategic objectives,” he concluded.

Third Quarter 2024 Results:

• Third quarter 2024 results are presented for the 13 weeks ended November 2, 2024 compared to the 13 weeks ended October 28, 2023. Comparable sales metrics are presented for the 13 weeks ended November 2, 2024 compared to the 13 weeks ended November 4, 2023.
• Total comparable sales increased 3%, following 5% reported comp growth last year.
• Total net revenue of $1.3 billion declined 1%. This included approximately $45 million of adverse impact from the retail calendar shift.
• Aerie comparable sales increased 5% on a 12% increase last year. American Eagle comparable sales grew 3% following 2% growth last year.
• Gross profit of $527 million decreased 3%. Gross margin of 40.9% compared to 41.8% last year, reflecting increased markdowns and expense deleverage related to the retail calendar shift.
• Selling, general and administrative expense of $351 million decreased 3% and leveraged 50 basis points. The improvement was due to lower compensation, including incentive costs, as well as lower professional fees and services and maintenance costs, partially offset by higher advertising.
• Operating income was $106 million, reflecting an operating margin of 8.2%. This included an approximately $20 million adverse impact from the retail calendar shift. Adjusted operating income of $124 million excluded $18 million of impairment and restructuring costs. The adjusted operating margin of 9.6% was flat to last year.
• Diluted earnings per share was $0.41. Adjusted diluted earnings per share was $0.48. Average diluted shares outstanding were 196 million.

Inventory

Total ending inventory increased 5% to $804 million. Inventory is healthy and well positioned for the holiday season.

Shareholder Returns

In the third quarter, the company returned approximately $24 million in cash to shareholders through the quarterly cash dividend of $0.125 per share bringing year-to-date cash dividends to $73 million.

Additionally, during the first half of the year, the company repurchased 6 million shares for $131 million. The company continues to have 24 million shares remaining for repurchase under the current authorization.

Capital Expenditures

Capital expenditures totaled $61 million in the third quarter and $158 million year-to-date. For fiscal 2024, management expects capital expenditures in the range of $225 to $245 million.

Restructuring and Impairment Charges

In the third quarter, the company recorded an $18 million impairment and restructuring charge, of which $6 million was non-cash. As part of its ongoing profit improvement initiatives, the company took additional actions to streamline its corporate cost structure. The company also changed its Hong Kong retail operation from company-owned to a licensed model.

Outlook

Fourth quarter comparable sales are expected to be up approximately 1%, with total revenue down 4% including a roughly $85 million impact from the combination of the retail calendar shift and one less selling week, as previously discussed. Operating income is expected to be in the range of $125 to $130 million. This incorporates currency pressure from the recent strengthening in the U.S. dollar, in addition to a $20 million drag from the retail calendar shift. SG&A is expected to leverage reflecting the company’s continued focus on driving efficiencies across key focus areas.

For the year, this implies comparable sales growth of approximately 3%, with total revenue up 1%, including the impact of one less selling week. Adjusted operating income is expected to be in the range of $428 to $433 million compared to adjusted operating income of $375 million in 2023, representing growth in the mid-teens.

FY24 Quarterly Impact of Retail Calendar

 

1Q

2Q

3Q

4Q

FY24

Revenue Impact

+$15M

+$55M

-$45M

-$85M

-$60M

Webcast and Supplemental Financial Information

Management will host a conference call and real time webcast today at 4:30pm Eastern Time. To listen to the call, dial 1-877-407-0789 or internationally dial 1-201-689-8562 or go to www.aeo-inc.com to access the webcast and audio replay. Additionally, a financial results presentation is posted on the company’s website.

About American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (NYSE: AEO) is a leading global specialty retailer with a portfolio of beloved apparel brands including American Eagle, Aerie, OFFL/NE by Aerie, Todd Snyder and Unsubscribed. Rooted in optimism, inclusivity and authenticity, AEO’s brands empower every customer to celebrate their unique personal style by offering casual, comfortable, timeless outfitting and high-quality products that are made to last.

AEO Inc. operates stores in the United States, Canada and Mexico, with merchandise available in more than 30 countries through a global network of license partners. Additionally, the company operates a robust e-commerce business across its brands. For more information, visit aeo-inc.com.

Non-GAAP Measures

This press release includes operating income and net income and net income per diluted share presented on an adjusted or non-GAAP basis, which are non-GAAP financial measures. These financial measures are not based on any standardized methodology prescribed by GAAP and are not necessarily comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Non-GAAP information is provided as a supplement to, not as a substitute for, or as superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. We believe that this non-GAAP information is useful as an additional means for investors to evaluate our operating performance when reviewed in conjunction with our GAAP Consolidated Financial Statements and provides a higher degree of transparency. These amounts are not determined in accordance with GAAP and, therefore, should not be used exclusively in evaluating our business and operations. The tables included in this release reconcile the GAAP financial measures to the non-GAAP financial measures discussed above for the 13 weeks and 39 weeks ended November 2, 2024, Fiscal 2024 and Fiscal 2023 .

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 management’s expectations or beliefs concerning future events, including, without limitation, fourth fiscal quarter and annual fiscal 2024 results. Words such as “outlook,” "estimate," "project," "plan," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," “may,” “potential,” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. All forward-looking statements made by the company are inherently uncertain because they are based on assumptions and expectations concerning future events and are subject to change based on many important factors, some of which may be beyond the company’s control. 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 our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 3, 2024 and in any other filings that we may make 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 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 global economic, public health, social, political 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.

The use of the “company,” “AEO,” “we,” "us," and “our” in this release refers to American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.

AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited; Dollars in thousands) November 2, 2024 October 28, 2023 Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents

$

160,195

 

$

240,940

 

Merchandise inventory

 

804,256

 

 

769,315

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

214,114

 

 

239,374

 

Prepaid expenses

 

118,773

 

 

81,423

 

Other current assets

 

38,810

 

 

22,366

 

Total current assets

 

1,336,148

 

 

1,353,418

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 

1,237,741

 

 

995,023

 

Property and equipment, at cost, net of accumulated depreciation

 

745,988

 

 

742,793

 

Goodwill, net

 

225,196

 

 

264,825

 

Non-current deferred income taxes

 

88,092

 

 

20,791

 

Intangible assets, net

 

43,371

 

 

88,201

 

Other assets

 

59,596

 

 

55,735

 

Total assets

$

3,736,132

 

$

3,520,786

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable

$

283,471

 

$

300,031

 

Current portion of operating lease liabilities

 

293,006

 

 

294,898

 

Accrued compensation and payroll taxes

 

90,289

 

 

96,484

 

Unredeemed gift cards and gift certificates

 

50,161

 

 

47,676

 

Accrued income and other taxes

 

38,468

 

 

19,255

 

Other current liabilities and accrued expenses

 

95,620

 

 

72,887

 

Total current liabilities

 

851,015

 

 

831,231

 

Non-current liabilities: Non-current operating lease liabilities

 

1,098,197

 

 

927,019

 

Other non-current liabilities

 

40,322

 

 

24,247

 

Total non-current liabilities

 

1,138,519

 

 

951,266

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

—

 

 

—

 

Stockholders’ equity: Preferred stock

 

—

 

 

—

 

Common stock

 

2,496

 

 

2,496

 

Contributed capital

 

359,348

 

 

343,695

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(49,872

)

 

(32,865

)

Retained earnings

 

2,376,077

 

 

2,234,761

 

Treasury stock

 

(941,451

)

 

(809,798

)

Total stockholders’ equity

 

1,746,598

 

 

1,738,289

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$

3,736,132

 

$

3,520,786

 

  Current Ratio

 

1.57

 

 

1.63

 

AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited; Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts) GAAP Basis 13 Weeks Ended November 2, 2024 October 28, 2023 (In thousands) (Percentage ofrevenue) (In thousands) (Percentage ofrevenue) Total net revenue

$

1,289,094

 

100.0

%

$

1,301,055

 

100.0

%

Cost of sales, including certain buying, occupancy and warehouse expenses

 

762,470

 

59.1

 

 

757,258

 

58.2

 

Gross profit

 

526,624

 

40.9

 

 

543,797

 

41.8

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

351,380

 

27.3

 

 

361,992

 

27.8

 

Impairment, restructuring and other charges

 

17,561

 

1.4

 

 

—

 

0.0

 

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

51,594

 

4.0

 

 

56,444

 

4.4

 

Operating income

 

106,089

 

8.2

 

 

125,361

 

9.6

 

Interest (income), net

 

(1,246

)

(0.1

)

 

(2,871

)

(0.2

)

Other (income), net

 

(895

)

(0.1

)

 

(3,984

)

(0.3

)

Income before income taxes

$

108,230

 

8.4

 

$

132,216

 

10.1

 

Provision for income taxes

 

28,211

 

2.2

 

 

35,516

 

2.7

 

Net income

$

80,019

 

6.2

%

$

96,700

 

7.4

%

  Net income per basic share

$

0.42

 

$

0.50

 

Net income per diluted share

$

0.41

 

$

0.49

 

  Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic

 

191,630

 

 

195,343

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted

 

195,782

 

 

198,367

 

      AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited; Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts) GAAP Basis 39 Weeks Ended November 2, 2024 October 28, 2023 (In thousands) (Percentage ofrevenue) (In thousands) (Percentage ofrevenue) Total net revenue

$

3,724,019

 

100.0

%

$

3,582,859

 

100.0

%

Cost of sales, including certain buying, occupancy and warehouse expenses

 

2,234,260

 

60.0

 

 

2,172,867

 

60.6

 

Gross profit

 

1,489,759

 

40.0

 

 

1,409,992

 

39.4

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

1,030,186

 

27.7

 

 

1,006,210

 

28.1

 

Impairment, restructuring, and other charges

 

17,561

 

0.4

 

 

21,275

 

0.6

 

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

156,978

 

4.2

 

 

169,026

 

4.7

 

Operating income

 

285,034

 

7.7

 

 

213,481

 

6.0

 

Interest (income), net

 

(5,414

)

(0.1

)

 

(1,229

)

0.0

 

Other (income), net

 

(4,006

)

(0.1

)

 

(9,446

)

(0.3

)

Income before income taxes

$

294,454

 

7.9

 

$

224,156

 

6.3

 

Provision for income taxes

 

69,420

 

1.9

 

 

60,434

 

1.7

 

Net income

$

225,034

 

6.0

%

$

163,722

 

4.6

%

  Net income per basic share

$

1.16

 

$

0.84

 

Net income per diluted share

$

1.14

 

$

0.83

 

  Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic

 

193,908

 

 

195,467

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted

 

198,201

 

 

197,969

 

AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS, INC. NET REVENUE BY SEGMENT (Unaudited; Dollars in thousands) 13 Weeks Ended 39 Weeks Ended November 2, 2024 October 28, 2023 November 2, 2024 October 28, 2023 Net Revenue: American Eagle

$

831,914

 

$

857,378

 

$

2,384,295

 

$

2,295,487

 

Aerie

 

410,442

 

 

393,042

 

 

1,198,741

 

 

1,132,537

 

Other

 

56,562

 

 

111,805

 

 

169,002

 

 

329,480

 

Intersegment Elimination

 

(9,824

)

 

(61,170

)

 

(28,019

)

 

(174,645

)

Total Net Revenue

$

1,289,094

 

$

1,301,055

 

$

3,724,019

 

$

3,582,859

 

  AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS, INC. STORE INFORMATION (Unaudited) 13 Weeks Ended 39 Weeks Ended November 2, 2024 November 2, 2024 Consolidated stores at beginning of period

1,178

 

1,182

 

Consolidated stores opened during the period AE Brand (1)

8

 

14

 

Aerie (incl. OFFL/NE) (2)

7

 

17

 

Todd Snyder

2

 

4

 

Consolidated stores closed during the period AE Brand (1)

(6

)

(20

)

Aerie (incl. OFFL/NE) (2)

(3

)

(10

)

Unsubscribed

—

 

(1

)

Total consolidated stores at end of period

1,186

 

1,186

 

  Stores by Brand AE Brand (1)

845

 

Aerie (incl. OFFL/NE) (2)

317

 

Todd Snyder

19

 

Unsubscribed

5

 

Total consolidated stores at end of period

1,186

 

  Total gross square footage at end of period (in '000)

7,282

 

7,282

 

  International license locations at end of period (3)

310

 

310

 

(1) AE Brand includes AE stand alone locations, AE/Aerie side-by side locations, AE/OFFL/NE side-by-side locations, and AE/Aerie/OFFL/NE side-by-side locations. (2) Aerie (incl. OFFL/NE) includes Aerie stand alone locations, OFFL/NE stand alone locations, and Aerie/OFFL/NE side-by-side locations. (3) International license locations (retail stores and concessions) are not included in the consolidated store data or the total gross square footage calculation. AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS, INC. GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) 13 Weeks Ended November 2, 2024 OperatingIncome Provision forIncome Taxes Net Income Earnings perDiluted Share GAAP Basis

$

106,089

 

$

28,211

$

80,019

 

$

0.41

% of Revenue

 

8.2

%

 

6.2

%

  Add: Impairment, restructuring and other charges (1)

$

17,561

 

$

12,983

 

$

0.07

  Tax effect of the above (2)

$

4,578

  Non-GAAP Basis

$

123,650

 

$

32,789

$

93,002

 

$

0.48

% of Revenue

 

9.6

%

 

7.3

%

The following footnotes relate to impairment, restructuring, and other charges recorded in the 13 weeks ended November 2, 2024: (1) The Company recorded restructuring costs of $10.7 million related to employee severance. The Company also recorded impairment and restructuring costs of $6.8 million related to the pending sale of its Hong Kong retail operations to a third party buyer. These costs primarily consist of impairment of $6.4 million, employee severance, and other costs. (2) The tax effect of excluded items is the difference between the tax provision calculated on a GAAP basis and an adjusted non-GAAP basis. AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS, INC. GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) 39 Weeks Ended November 2, 2024 OperatingIncome Provision forIncome Taxes Net Income Earnings perDiluted Share GAAP Basis

$

285,034

 

$

69,420

$

225,034

 

$

1.14

% of Revenue

 

7.7

%

 

6.0

%

  Add: Impairment, restructuring and other charges (1)

$

17,561

 

$

12,983

 

$

0.06

  Tax effect of the above (2)

$

4,578

  Non-GAAP Basis

$

302,595

 

$

73,998

$

238,017

 

$

1.20

% of Revenue

 

8.1

%

 

6.4

%

  The following footnotes relate to impairment, restructuring, and other charges recorded in the 39 weeks ended November 2, 2024: (1) The Company recorded restructuring costs of $10.7 million related to employee severance. The Company also recorded impairment and restructuring costs of $6.8 million related to the pending sale of its Hong Kong retail operations to a third party buyer. These costs primarily consist of impairment of $6.4 million, employee severance, and other costs. (2) The tax effect of excluded items is the difference between the tax provision calculated on a GAAP basis and an adjusted non-GAAP basis. GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation Fiscal 2024 Guidance (Dollars in millions) Operating Income Low End High End GAAP Basis

$

410

$

415

Add: Impairment, Restructuring and Other Charges(1)

$

18

$

18

Non-GAAP Basis

$

428

$

433

(1) During the 13 weeks ended November 2, 2024, the Company recorded restructuring costs of $10.7 million related to employee severance, as well as impairment and restructuring costs of $6.8 million related to the pending sale of its Hong Kong retail operations to a third party buyer. GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation 53 Weeks Ended February 3, 2024 (Dollars in thousands) Operating Income GAAP Basis

$

222,717

 

% of Revenue

 

4.2

%

  Add: Impairment, Restructuring and Other Charges

$

152,645

 

  Non-GAAP Basis

$

375,362

 

% of Revenue

 

7.1

%

  The Fiscal 2023 adjustments relate to certain inventory provisions, asset impairments, restructuring and other charges recognized in relation to Quiet Platforms, as well as the company’s international and corporate operations. Please refer to Note 16. “Impairment, Restructuring and Other Charges,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 15, 2024 for further information on the nature of these amounts.

 

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