American Eagle Outfitters (NYSE:AEO) Posts Quarterly Earnings Results, Beats Estimates By $0.57 EPS

American Eagle Outfitters (NYSE:AEO) announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday. The apparel retailer reported $0.79 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.22 by $0.57, Zacks reports. American Eagle Outfitters had a return on equity of 20.95% and a net margin of 5.01%.

American Eagle Outfitters Stock Performance

AEO stock traded down $0.32 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $16.91. 15,827,876 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,368,896. American Eagle Outfitters has a 1-year low of $14.06 and a 1-year high of $28.46. The firm has a market cap of $2.83 billion, a PE ratio of 10.44, a P/E/G ratio of 3.80 and a beta of 1.33. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $17.02 and its 200-day moving average price is $17.68. The company has a quick ratio of 0.53, a current ratio of 1.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the company. TD Cowen reduced their price objective on American Eagle Outfitters from $19.00 to $18.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, May 18th. BMO Capital Markets assumed coverage on American Eagle Outfitters in a research note on Tuesday. They issued a “market perform” rating and a $18.00 target price on the stock. Citigroup reduced their price target on shares of American Eagle Outfitters from $24.00 to $18.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Monday, June 1st. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $22.00 price target on shares of American Eagle Outfitters in a research report on Monday, June 1st. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of American Eagle Outfitters from $19.00 to $21.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, August 18th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, twelve have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, American Eagle Outfitters presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $20.18.

Insider Activity at American Eagle Outfitters

In related news, Director David Sable sold 5,779 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $17.23, for a total value of $99,572.17. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 53,481 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $921,477.63. This represents a 9.75% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Noel Spiegel sold 2,892 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $16.78, for a total transaction of $48,527.76. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold a total of 11,563 shares of company stock worth $196,599 over the last ninety days. 8.95% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On American Eagle Outfitters

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Kemnay Advisory Services Inc. acquired a new stake in American Eagle Outfitters in the fourth quarter worth approximately $31,000. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd bought a new stake in shares of American Eagle Outfitters in the 4th quarter worth $32,000. Quadrant Capital Group LLC lifted its holdings in shares of American Eagle Outfitters by 31.8% in the fourth quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 1,852 shares of the apparel retailer’s stock valued at $49,000 after buying an additional 447 shares during the period. Larson Financial Group LLC boosted its stake in American Eagle Outfitters by 8,432.1% during the third quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 2,389 shares of the apparel retailer’s stock valued at $41,000 after buying an additional 2,361 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. boosted its stake in American Eagle Outfitters by 1,655.3% during the third quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 2,475 shares of the apparel retailer’s stock valued at $42,000 after buying an additional 2,334 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 97.33% of the company’s stock.

About American Eagle Outfitters

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc (NYSE: AEO) is a leading American specialty retailer offering apparel, accessories and personal care products for men and women. The company’s flagship brand, American Eagle, focuses on casualwear including denim, tops, outerwear and accessories targeted primarily at teens and young adults. In addition to its core apparel lines, the company operates the Aerie brand of intimates, loungewear and swimwear, which has gained recognition for its body-positive marketing and inclusive sizing.

American Eagle Outfitters conducts business through a combination of over 900 brick-and-mortar stores in North America and Greater China, complemented by a growing e-commerce platform that serves customers around the globe.