On Thursday, Citi reaffirmed a neutral outlook on shares of American Eagle Outfitters (NYSE:AEO), maintaining a price target of $22.00. The assessment followed the retailer's mixed second-quarter results, which showed a slight miss on comparable store sales but were counterbalanced by stronger margins. Management has updated its fiscal 2024 earnings per share (EPS) guidance to a range of $1.80 to $1.85, compared to the previous range of $1.75 to $1.85 and aligned with the consensus estimate of $1.81.
The company witnessed a quarter-to-date (QTD) acceleration in comparable sales to approximately 5.5% in the third quarter, an increase from 4.7% in the second quarter. This growth was primarily driven by a 7% increase at Aerie, American Eagle's lingerie and activewear brand, while the American Eagle brand itself performed consistently with the second quarter at a 5% rise.
The analyst noted that the second quarter brought both positives and negatives for American Eagle. On the upside, the company has been signaling expense savings for several quarters, and the second quarter's selling, general, and administrative expenses (SG&A) came in below consensus.
Additionally, SG&A expenses are projected to decrease in the second half of the year. The analyst also highlighted that third-quarter-to-date trends have improved, suggesting that the sales guidance for the quarter might be conservative.
Moreover, promotions and inventory levels are not a major concern, with merchandise margins expected to rise in the second half of the year.
However, on the downside, the second-quarter sales did not meet consensus expectations, and while the guidance for the second half of the year appears reasonable, the analyst sees limited potential for an upside. With the balance of risks and rewards, the firm's stance on American Eagle remains neutral.
In other recent news, American Eagle Outfitters announced a record revenue of $1.3 billion in its second quarter of 2024, marking a 4% increase in comparable sales. The firm's operating income and earnings per share also saw substantial growth, with a 55% rise in the former and a 56% surge in the latter to $0.39. Both American Eagle and Aerie brands contributed to this success, with respective growth rates of 5% and 4%.
The company ended the quarter in a robust financial position with $192 million in cash and no debt, while also returning $120 million to its shareholders. As part of its recent developments, American Eagle Outfitters revised its full-year operating income outlook to range between $455 million and $465 million.
The firm also anticipates an operating income between $120 million and $125 million for the third quarter, with a projected comparable sales growth of 3% to 4%.
Further, American Eagle Outfitters plans to open 25 to 30 new Aerie and OFFLINE stores while closing 20 to 25 American Eagle stores. Despite a narrower sales guidance range, the company maintains a focus on disciplined financial execution and brand expansion. Lastly, the firm's gross margin rose by 10%, indicating a positive performance across both physical stores and digital channels.
InvestingPro Insights
As we delve into the financial health and market performance of American Eagle Outfitters (NYSE:AEO), a few key metrics stand out. According to recent data, American Eagle boasts a market capitalization of approximately $4.08 billion, reflecting its significant presence in the retail sector. The company's Price-to-Earnings (P/E) ratio, a measure of its current share price relative to its per-share earnings, is 18.45, which adjusts to a more attractive 12.75 when considering earnings over the last twelve months as of Q1 2023. This adjustment suggests that the company's earnings are stronger when viewed over a longer period rather than just the most recent quarter.
Moreover, American Eagle's commitment to shareholder returns is evident through its impressive track record of maintaining dividend payments for 21 consecutive years, a testament to its financial discipline and prioritization of investor interests. This dedication is further underscored by a dividend yield of 2.3% as of 2024, coupled with a substantial dividend growth of 25.0% over the last twelve months as of Q1 2023. These figures highlight the company's ability to not only sustain but also increase its shareholder distributions.
Two InvestingPro Tips that may be particularly relevant for investors considering American Eagle include the company's low P/E ratio relative to near-term earnings growth and its consistent profitability over the last twelve months. These insights, among others, can be further explored with additional tips available on InvestingPro, providing a comprehensive analysis for informed investment decisions.
For those looking to delve deeper into American Eagle's financials and future prospects, there are 6 more InvestingPro Tips available, offering a more nuanced understanding of the company's performance and potential investment opportunities.
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