Retail

What Analysts Are Saying About American Eagle After Earnings

Thinkstock

When American Eagle Outfitters Inc. (NYSE: AEO) reported its fiscal third-quarter financial results Wednesday morning, the results were favorable. Unfortunately, the company was weighed down by its forward guidance, initially sending shares down about 11%.

24/7 Wall St. has included some highlights from the earnings report, as well as what a few analysts are saying after the fact.

The company posted $0.41 in earnings per share (EPS) and $940.6 million in revenue. Consensus estimates from Thomson Reuters had called for $0.41 in EPS and revenue of $940.94 million. In the same period of last year, the retailer reported EPS of $0.35 and $919.07 million in revenue.

Consolidated comparable sales increased 2%, following a 9% increase last year.

During the quarter, the company opened four AE stores, six aerie stores and one Tailgate store. In the same period, three AE stores were closed.

In terms of the outlook for the fiscal fourth-quarter, the company expects EPS to be in the range of $0.37 to $0.39. The consensus estimates were $0.45 in EPS and $1.14 billion in revenue.

On the books, American Eagle cash and cash equivalents totaled $292 million, compared to $363 million last year. Lower cash was the result of $212 million in share buybacks in the fourth quarter last year. In addition, the company returned $92 million in cash dividends and spent $152 million in capital expenditures over the past year.

A few analysts weighed in on American Eagle after earnings were reported:

  • BMO Capital Markets has a Buy rating with a $21 price target.
  • Cowen has a Buy rating with a $19 price target.
  • Stifel has a Buy rating and lowered its price target to $20 from $22.
  • RBC Capital Markets has an Outperform rating and lowered its target to $20 from $21.
  • B Riley reiterated a Buy rating with a $22 price target.
  • Tesley Advisory Group has a Market Perform rating with a $19 price target.
  • FBR has a Market Perform rating with a $17 price target.

Shares closed Friday at $16.17, with a consensus analyst price target of $19.05 and a 52-week trading range of $12.78 to $19.55.

Take This Retirement Quiz To Get Matched With An Advisor Now (Sponsored)

Are you ready for retirement? Planning for retirement can be overwhelming, that’s why it could be a good idea to speak to a fiduciary financial advisor about your goals today.

Start by taking this retirement quiz right here from SmartAsset that will match you with up to 3 financial advisors that serve your area and beyond in 5 minutes. Smart Asset is now matching over 50,000 people a month.

Click here now to get started.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.