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American Eagle Outfitters Reports Record Fourth Quarter and Annual Revenue

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (NYSE: AEO) today reported EPS of $0.03 for the 13 weeks ended February 1, 2020. This compared to $0.43 for the 13 weeks ended February 2, 2019. Adjusted EPS of $0.37 excludes $0.34 of impairment, restructuring and related charges discussed below.

For the 52 weeks ended February 1, 2020, the company reported EPS of $1.12. This compared to $1.47 for the 52 weeks ended February 2, 2019. Adjusted EPS of $1.48 excludes $0.36 of impairment, restructuring and related charges and compared to adjusted EPS of $1.48 last year, which excluded $0.01 of restructuring and related charges. The EPS figures refer to diluted earnings per share.

Jay Schottenstein, AEO’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer commented, “Although we faced some challenges in 2019, we made good progress on our strategic growth pillars, posting record revenues. We saw strong customer engagement and positive traffic across brands and channels. Aerie delivered exceptional growth, led by its unique brand positioning and strong customer connection, and has significant runway ahead. American Eagle saw growth in its signature jeans and bottoms categories, where we continue to gain meaningful market share. I’m also pleased that we successfully cleared through excess holiday inventory, ending the year well-positioned.

“Looking ahead, we are laser focused on areas of underperformance and strengthening profit margins. Product improvements, inventory management and gaining efficiencies are top priorities. Our healthy brands and strong balance sheet position us well to compete in today’s market and we are excited to build upon our strengths and seize the many opportunities ahead for AEO.”

Adjusted amounts represent Non-GAAP results, as described in the accompanying GAAP to Non-GAAP reconciliations.

Fourth Quarter 2019 Results

  • Total net revenue for the 13 weeks ended February 1, 2020 increased $70 million, or 6% to $1.31 billion compared to $1.24 billion for the 13 weeks ended February 2, 2019. Consolidated comparable sales increased 2% over the period ended February 2, 2019, following a 6% increase last year. This marked the 20th consecutive quarter of positive comparable sales.
  • By brand, American Eagle comparable sales decreased 3%, compared to a 3% increase last year. Aerie’s comparable sales increased 26%, following a 23% increase last year, marking the 21st consecutive quarter of double-digit sales growth.
  • Gross profit decreased $23 million or 5% to $408 million, compared to $431 million last year. The gross margin rate of 31.0% declined from 34.6% last year. Higher markdowns were the primary cause of the reduction to last year. Increased distribution center and delivery costs were offset by lower incentives and slight rent leverage.
  • Selling, general and administrative expense of $287 million decreased slightly from $288 million last year. As a rate to revenue, SG&A leveraged 130 basis points to 21.8%, primarily reflecting lower incentives, partly offset by higher professional services fees.
  • Depreciation and amortization expense increased 8% to $44 million, increasing 10 basis points to 3.4% as a rate to revenue.
  • Operating income of $0.5 million compared to $101 million last year. Adjusted operating income of $77 million excluded $76 million of impairment and restructuring charges. As a rate to revenue, adjusted operating income decreased to 5.8% from 8.2% last year.
  • EPS of $0.03 compared to EPS of $0.43 last year. Adjusted EPS of $0.37 excludes $0.34 of impairment, restructuring and related costs.

Fiscal Year 2019 Results

  • Total net revenue for the 52 weeks ended February 1, 2020, increased $272 million, or 7% to a record $4.3 billion compared to $4.0 billion for the 52 weeks ended February 2, 2019.
  • Consolidated comparable sales increased 3% over the period ended February 2, 2019, following an 8% increase last year.
  • By brand, American Eagle comparable sales were up slightly, compared to a 5% increase last year. Aerie’s comparable sales increased 20%, following a 29% increase in 2018.
  • Gross profit increased $35 million, or 2% to $1.52 billion. The gross margin rate decreased 160 basis points to 35.3% of revenue compared to 36.9% last year. Higher markdowns were the primary cause of the reduction to last year. Rent leverage and lower incentives were offset by increased distribution center and delivery costs.
  • Selling, general and administrative expense of $1.03 billion increased 5% from $981 million last year. As a rate to revenue, SG&A leveraged 40 basis points to 23.9%, reflecting lower incentives, partially offset by higher store payroll and professional services.
  • Depreciation and amortization expense increased 6% to $179 million from $168 million last year, improving 10 basis points to 4.1% as a rate to revenue.
  • Operating income of $233 million decreased from $337 million last year. Adjusted operating income of $314 million decreased 7% from $339 million last year. As a rate to revenue, adjusted operating income decreased to 7.3% from 8.4% last year. Adjusted figures exclude impairment and restructuring charges of approximately $80 million in fiscal 2019 and restructuring and related charges of $2 million in 2018.
  • EPS of $1.12 compared to EPS of $1.47 last year. Adjusted EPS of $1.48 excludes $0.36 of impairment, restructuring and related charges and was flat compared to adjusted EPS of $1.48 last year, which excluded $0.01 of restructuring and related charges.

Impairment, Restructuring and Related Charges

In the fourth quarter of 2019, the company incurred impairment, restructuring and related charges of approximately $76 million pre-tax, or $0.34 per share after-tax. Approximately $65 million of the pre-tax charges related to the non-cash impairment of 20 stores and the remainder primarily reflected severance and other costs.

For the full year 2019, the company incurred impairment, restructuring and related charges of approximately $80 million pre-tax, or $0.36 per share after-tax, including approximately $4 million of pre-tax restructuring charges incurred in the first half of the year. This compared to $2 million of pre-tax restructuring and related charges for the full year 2018, or approximately $0.01 per share after-tax.

Inventory

Total ending inventory at cost increased 5% to $446 million. The increase largely reflected inventory to support strong demand for AE Jeans, including new styles and expanded sizes, and Aerie store openings. Clearance inventory units were down to last year.

Capital Expenditures

In 2019, capital expenditures totaled $210 million. For fiscal 2020, the company expects capital expenditures to be in the range of $225 to $275 million, with the increase primarily driven by investments in the distribution network, as well as Aerie store openings.

Shareholder Returns, Cash and Investments

During 2019, the company returned $205 million to shareholders through cash dividends and share repurchases. We paid dividends of $93 million and repurchased 6.3 million shares for $112 million. The company ended the year with total cash and short-term investments of $417 million, a decrease from $425 million at the end of 2018.

Store Information

We ended the year with a total of 1,095 stores. During the year, the company opened 27 AE stores and closed 21, ending the year with 940 AE stores. Included in the AE store count are 174 Aerie side-by-side locations, of which 28 opened and 1 closed in 2019. Additionally, the company opened 37 Aerie stand alone stores and closed 4, ending the year with 148 Aerie stand-alone locations and 322 total Aerie stores. Internationally, the company ended the year with 217 licensed stores. For additional information, see accompanying table.

First Quarter 2020 Outlook

Based on an anticipated comparable sales increase in the low single digits, management expects first quarter 2020 EPS to be approximately $0.20 to $0.22. This guidance excludes potential asset impairment and restructuring charges. Last year’s first quarter reported EPS of $0.23 included $0.01 of restructuring charges. Excluding these items, last year’s adjusted EPS was $0.24. See the accompanying table for the GAAP to Non-GAAP reconciliation.

Conference Call and Supplemental Financial Information

Today, management will host a conference call and real time webcast at 4:15 p.m. 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.

Non-GAAP Measures

This press release includes information on non-GAAP financial measures (“non-GAAP” or “adjusted”), including earnings per share information and the consolidated results of operations excluding non-GAAP items. These financial measures are not based on any standardized methodology prescribed by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and are not necessarily comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Management believes that this non-GAAP information is useful for an alternate presentation of the company’s performance, when reviewed in conjunction with the company’s GAAP financial statements. These amounts are not determined in accordance with GAAP and therefore, should not be used exclusively in evaluating the company’s business and operations.

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, 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 first quarter 2020 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 the first quarter 2020 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.

AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)
 

February 1,

February 2,

2020

2019

 
 
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents

$

361,930

$

333,330

Short-term investments

55,000

92,135

Merchandise inventory

446,278

424,404

Accounts receivable

119,064

93,477

Prepaid expenses and other

65,658

102,907

Total current assets

1,047,930

1,046,253

Property and equipment, net

735,120

742,149

Operating lease right-of-use assets

1,418,916

-

Intangible assets, including goodwill

53,004

58,167

Non-current deferred income taxes

22,724

14,062

Other assets

50,985

42,747

Total Assets

$

3,328,679

$

1,903,378

 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable

$

285,746

$

240,671

Current portion of operating lease liabilities

299,161

-

Accrued income and other taxes

9,514

20,064

Accrued compensation and payroll taxes

43,537

82,173

Unredeemed gift cards and gift certificates

56,974

53,997

Other current liabilities and accrued expenses

56,824

145,740

Total current liabilities

751,756

542,645

Non-current operating lease liabilities

1,301,735

-

Other non-current liabilities

27,335

73,178

Total non-current liabilities

1,329,070

73,178

Commitments and contingencies

-

-

Preferred stock

-

-

Common stock

2,496

2,496

Contributed capital

577,856

574,929

Accumulated other comprehensive income

(33,168

)

(34,832

)

Retained earnings

2,108,292

2,054,654

Treasury stock

(1,407,623

)

(1,309,692

)

Total stockholders' equity

1,247,853

1,287,555

Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

$

3,328,679

$

1,903,378

 
Current Ratio

1.39

1.93

The Company adopted ASC 842, Leases as of February 3, 2019 under the modified retrospective approach and has not revised comparative periods.

AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)

(unaudited)

 

GAAP Basis

13 Weeks Ended

February 1,

% of

February 2,

% of

2020

Revenue

2019

Revenue

 
Total net revenue

$

1,314,631

100.0

%

$

1,244,199

100.0

%

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

906,884

69.0

%

813,592

65.4

%

Gross profit

407,747

31.0

%

430,607

34.6

%

Selling, general and administrative expenses

286,647

21.8

%

287,966

23.1

%

Impairment and Restructuring charges

76,223

5.8

%

-

0.0

%

Depreciation and amortization

44,401

3.4

%

41,241

3.3

%

Operating income

476

0.0

%

101,400

8.2

%

Other income, net

1,184

0.1

%

2,279

0.1

%

Income before income taxes

1,660

0.1

%

103,679

8.3

%

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

(3,104

)

-0.3

%

27,511

2.2

%

Net income

$

4,764

0.4

%

$

76,168

6.1

%

.
Net income per basic share

$

0.03

$

0.44

Net income per diluted share

$

0.03

$

0.43

 
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic

167,412

174,742

Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted

168,282

176,254

 

GAAP Basis

52 Weeks Ended

February 1,

% of

February 2,

% of

2020

Revenue

2019

Revenue

 
Total net revenue

$

4,308,212

100.0

%

$

4,035,720

100.0

%

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

2,785,911

64.7

%

2,548,082

63.1

%

Gross profit

1,522,301

35.3

%

1,487,638

36.9

%

Selling, general and administrative expenses

1,029,412

23.9

%

980,610

24.3

%

Impairment and Restructuring charges

80,494

1.9

%

1,568

0.0

%

Depreciation and amortization

179,050

4.1

%

168,331

4.2

%

Operating income

233,345

5.4

%

337,129

8.4

%

Other income, net

11,933

0.3

%

7,971

0.2

%

Income before income taxes

245,278

5.7

%

345,100

8.6

%

Provision for income taxes

54,021

1.3

%

83,198

2.1

%

Net income

$

191,257

4.4

%

$

261,902

6.5

%

 
Net income per basic share

$

1.13

$

1.48

Net income per diluted share

$

1.12

$

1.47

 
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic

169,711

176,476

Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted

170,867

178,035

AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS, INC.

GAAP TO NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

(unaudited)

 
13 Weeks Ended
February 1, 2020
Operating IncomeNet IncomeDiluted Earnings
per Common
Share
Effective Tax Rate
GAAP Basis

$

476

$

4,764

$

0.03

(187.0

%)

% of Revenue

0.0

%

0.4

%

 
Add: Asset Impairment & Restructuring charges(1):

76,223

61,055

0.36

Tax(2)

(3,435

)

(0.02

)

see note (2)

76,223

57,620

0.34

 
Non-GAAP Basis

$

76,699

$

62,384

$

0.37

19.9

%

% of Revenue

5.8

%

4.7

%

(1) $76.2 million pre-tax impairment and restructuring charges.

- $64.5 million of leasehold improvements, store fixtures, and operating lease right of use assets and a $1.7M goodwill impairment charge

- $10.0 million of restructuring charges including $4.2M of joint business venture exit charges, $4.0M of corporate and field severance, and $1.8M of market transition costs in Japan

(2) GAAP tax rate of -187% included the impact of valuation allowances on impairment and restructuring charges. Excluding the impact of those items resulted in an adjusted 19.9% tax rate for the quarter. The 206.9% difference is primarily driven by the size of this tax benefit compared to fourth quarter pre-tax income.
AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS, INC.
GAAP TO NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
 

52 Weeks Ended

February 1, 2020

Operating Income

Net Income

Diluted Earnings
per Common
Share

GAAP Basis

$

233,345

$

191,257

$

1.12

% of Revenue

5.4

%

4.4

%

 
Add: Asset Impairment & Restructuring Charges(1):

80,494

61,216

$

0.36

 
Non-GAAP Basis

$

313,839

$

252,473

$

1.48

% of Revenue

7.3

%

6.0

%

(1) $80.5 million pre-tax impairment and restructuring charges.

- $64.5 million of leasehold improvements, store fixtures, and operating lease right of use assets and a $1.7M goodwill impairment charge

- $14.2 million of restructuring charges including $6.7M of corporate and field severance, $4.2M of joint business venture exit charges, $1.8M of market transition costs in Japan and $1.5M of China severance and closure costs for company-owned and operated stores

- GAAP tax rate of 22.0% included the impact of valuation allowances on impairment and restructuring charges. Excluding the 0.5% impact of those items resulted in an adjusted 22.5% tax rate for the year.

AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS, INC.
GAAP TO NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)

52 Weeks Ended

February 2, 2019

Operating Income

Net Income

Diluted Earnings
per Common
Share

GAAP Basis

$

337,129

$

261,902

$

1.47

% of Revenue

8.4

%

6.5

%

 
Add: Restructuring Related Charges(1):

1,568

1,188

0.01

 
Non-GAAP Basis

$

338,698

$

263,090

$

1.48

% of Revenue

8.4

%

6.5

%

(1) - $1.6 million for pre-tax corporate charges, primarily consisting of corporate severance charges
AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS, INC.
GAAP TO NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
 

13 Weeks Ended

May 4, 2019

 
 

Diluted income per
common share

GAAP Basis

$

0.23

% of Revenue
 
Add: Restructuring Charges(1):

0.01

 
Non-GAAP Basis

$

0.24

% of Revenue
(1) - $1.5 million for pre-tax corporate restructuring charges, primarily consisting of severance and closure costs for our company-owned and operated stores in China
AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS, INC.
COMPARABLE SALES RESULTS BY BRAND
(unaudited)
 

Fourth Quarter
Comparable Sales

2019

2018

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (1)

2%

6%

 
AE Total Brand (1)

-3%

3%

Aerie Total Brand (1)

26%

23%

 
(1) AEO Direct is included in consolidated and total brand comparable sales.

YTD Fourth Quarter
Comparable Sales

2019

2018

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (1)

3%

8%

 
AE Total Brand (1)

0%

5%

Aerie Total Brand (1)

20%

29%

 
(1) AEO Direct is included in consolidated and total brand comparable sales.
AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS, INC.
STORE INFORMATION
(unaudited)
 

Fourth Quarter

YTD Fourth Quarter

Fiscal 2020

2019

2019

Guidance

Consolidated stores at beginning of period

1,094

1,055

1,095

Consolidated stores opened during the period

AE Brand

8

27

10 - 15

Aerie stand-alone

8

37

55 - 60

Tailgate Clothing Co.

0

1

0

Todd Snyder

0

1

0

Consolidated stores closed during the period

AE Brand

(13)

(21)

(10) - (20)

Aerie stand-alone

(2)

(4)

(5) - (10)

Tailgate Clothing Co.

0

(1)

0

Total consolidated stores at end of period

1,095

1,095

1,130 - 1,155

AE Brand

940

Aerie stand-alone

148

Aerie side-by-side(2)

174

Tailgate Clothing Co.

5

Todd Snyder

2

Stores remodeled and refurbished during the period

10

45

30 - 40

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

6,831

6,831

Not Provided

International license locations at end of period (1)

217

217

30 - 35

Aerie Openings

Aerie stand-alone

8

37

55 - 60

Aerie side-by-side stores (2)

5

28

5 - 10

Total side-by-side

5

28

5 - 10

Total Aerie Openings

13

65

60 - 70

(1) International license locations are not included in the consolidated store data or the total gross square footage calculation.
(2) Aerie side-by-side stores are included in the AE Brand store count as they are considered part of the AE Brand store to which they are attached.

Contacts:

Olivia Messina
412-432-3300
LineMedia@ae.com

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