American Eagle Outfitters Reports Record Second Quarter Sales and Strong EPS Growth

Comparable Sales Increase 11% and EPS Rises to $0.17 from $0.03 Last Year

PITTSBURGH--()--American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (NYSE:AEO) today reported EPS of $0.17 for the second quarter ended August 1, 2015, a significant increase from EPS of $0.03 for the comparable quarter last year, and above EPS guidance of $0.11 to $0.14. The EPS figures refer to diluted earnings per share.

Jay Schottenstein, Interim CEO commented, “I’m pleased to report another strong quarter, and to see positive momentum continue. The team is delivering exceptional execution, and our customers have taken notice of improvements to our merchandise and overall customer experience. Both American Eagle and Aerie delivered strong sales and earnings growth across channels. We have two of the best-positioned brands in the marketplace today, and we are well poised to capitalize on our strengths. We have vast opportunity for ongoing improvements and will strive to deliver continued growth and returns to our shareholders.”

Second Quarter 2015 Results

  • Total net revenue increased 12% to a record $797 million from $711 million last year.
  • Consolidated comparable sales increased 11%, compared to a 7% decrease last year.
  • Gross profit increased 20% to $285 million and the gross margin rate rose 230 basis points to 35.7%. Buying, occupancy and warehousing costs leveraged 130 basis points, primarily due to strong sales, combined with our fleet rationalization. Reduced markdowns drove another 100 basis points of margin expansion.
  • Selling, general and administrative expense of $196 million increased 3% from $190 million last year. As a rate to revenue, SG&A leveraged 220 basis points to 24.5% compared to 26.7% last year. Expense reduction initiatives partially offset increases in incentive and variable selling expense, driven by strong sales performance.
  • Operating income increased to $53 million from $12 million last year, and the operating margin expanded 500 basis points to 6.7% as a rate to revenue.
  • Other expense of $2.2 million is primarily comprised of currency losses related to cash held in Canadian dollars.
  • The tax rate of 34.7% includes a benefit of approximately $2.5 million, primarily due to an income tax settlement.
  • EPS of $0.17 increased significantly from EPS of $0.03 last year.

Inventory
Total merchandise inventories at the end of the second quarter increased 4% to $409 million compared to $393 million last year. At cost per foot, inventory increased 5%, consistent with our guidance and below our sales growth rate. Third quarter 2015 ending inventory at cost is expected to be approximately flat.

Capital Expenditures
In the second quarter, capital expenditures totaled $37 million. For fiscal 2015, the company continues to expect capital expenditures of approximately $150 million, which includes the chain-wide roll-out of the point of sale system, supporting technologies and the completion of our new fulfillment center, as well as new and remodeled store investments.

Store Information
In the quarter, the company opened six new stores, including four factory stores, and closed three locations, including two AE and one aerie store. Seven international licensed stores opened during the quarter, including the first stores in South Korea and Singapore. For additional second quarter 2015 actual and fiscal 2015 projected store information, see the accompanying table.

Cash and Investments
The company ended the quarter with total cash and investments of $327 million, compared to $263 million last year.

Third Quarter Outlook
Based on an anticipated mid single-digit increase in comparable sales, management expects third quarter 2015 EPS to be approximately $0.28 to $0.31. This guidance excludes potential asset impairment and restructuring charges, and compares to adjusted EPS of $0.22 last year.

Conference Call and Supplemental Financial Information
Today, management will host a conference call and real time webcast at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. To listen to the call, dial 1-877-407-0789 or internationally dial 1-201-689-8562 or go to http://investors.ae.com to access the webcast and audio replay. Also, 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. 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. The company believes that this non-GAAP information is useful as an additional means for investors to evaluate the company’s operating 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 Outfitters® and Aerie® brands. The company operates more than 1,000 stores in the United States, Canada, Mexico, China, Hong Kong and the United Kingdom, and ships to 81 countries worldwide through its websites. American Eagle Outfitters and Aerie merchandise also is available at 116 international stores operated by licensees in 19 countries. For more information, please visit www.ae.com.

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This release contains forward-looking statements, which represent our expectations or beliefs concerning future events, including third quarter 2015 results. All forward-looking statements made by the company involve material risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on factors beyond the company's control. Such factors include, but are not limited to the risk that the company’s operating, financial and capital plans may not be achieved and the risks described in the Risk Factor Section of the company's Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, the company's future performance and financial results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in any such forward-looking statements. The company does not undertake to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements even if future changes make it clear that projected results expressed or implied will not be realized.

       
AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands)

 
 
August 1, January 31, August 2,
2015 2015 2014
(unaudited)

(unaudited)

 

ASSETS

Cash and cash equivalents $ 327,290 $ 410,697 $ 262,628
Merchandise inventory 408,541 278,972 393,316
Accounts receivable 50,693 67,894 47,028
Prepaid expenses and other 75,477 73,848 89,426
Deferred income taxes 60,974   59,102   41,646  
Total current assets 922,975   890,513   834,044  
Property and equipment, net 712,279 694,856 729,463
Intangible assets, net 47,154 47,206 48,510
Goodwill 13,006 13,096 13,616
Non-current deferred income taxes 13,166 14,035 13,534
Other assets 51,629   37,202   40,894  
Total Assets $

1,760,209

  $ 1,696,908   $

1,680,061

 
 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Accounts payable $ 263,145 $ 191,146 $ 254,802
Accrued compensation and payroll taxes 37,851 44,884 25,917
Accrued rent 77,127 78,567 75,649
Accrued income and other taxes 14,654 33,110 6,225
Unredeemed gift cards and gift certificates 30,502 47,888 29,092
Current portion of deferred lease credits 13,240 12,969 13,635
Other current liabilities and accrued expenses 55,625   50,529   34,469  
Total current liabilities 492,144   459,093   439,789  
Deferred lease credits 56,421 54,516 62,779
Non-current accrued income taxes 5,441 10,456 11,089
Other non-current liabilities 40,525   33,097   32,557  
Total non-current liabilities 102,387   98,069   106,425  
Commitments and contingencies - - -
Preferred stock - - -
Common stock 2,496 2,496 2,496
Contributed capital 577,146 569,675 559,694
Accumulated other comprehensive income (18,378 ) (9,944 ) 15,949
Retained earnings 1,553,380 1,543,085 1,522,856
Treasury stock (948,966 ) (965,566 ) (967,148 )
Total stockholders' equity 1,165,678   1,139,746   1,133,847  
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $ 1,760,209   $ 1,696,908   $ 1,680,061  
 
Current Ratio 1.88 1.94 1.90
 
         
AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
 
 
13 Weeks Ended
August 1, % of August 2, % of
2015   Revenue     2014   Revenue
 
Total net revenue $ 797,428 100.0 % $ 710,595 100.0 %
Cost of sales, including certain buying,
occupancy and warehousing expenses 512,389     64.3 % 473,048   66.6 %
Gross profit 285,039 35.7 % 237,547 33.4 %
Selling, general and administrative expenses 195,791 24.5 % 190,078 26.7 %
Depreciation and amortization 36,109     4.5 % 35,422   5.0 %
Operating income 53,139 6.7 % 12,047 1.7 %
Other (expense) income, net (2,237 )   -0.3 % 850   0.1 %
Income before income taxes 50,902 6.4 % 12,897 1.8 %
Provision for income taxes 17,637     2.2 % 7,084   1.0 %
Net income $ 33,265     4.2 % $ 5,813   0.8 %
 
Net income per basic share $ 0.17 $ 0.03
 
Net income per diluted share $ 0.17 $ 0.03
 
Weighted average common shares
outstanding - basic 195,508 194,511
Weighted average common shares
outstanding - diluted 196,885 194,747
 
 
26 Weeks Ended
August 1, % of August 2, % of
2015   Revenue     2014   Revenue
 
Total net revenue $ 1,496,948 100.0 % $ 1,356,724 100.0 %
Cost of sales, including certain buying,
occupancy and warehousing expenses 949,697     63.4 % 893,332   65.8 %
Gross profit 547,251 36.6 % 463,392 34.2 %
Selling, general and administrative expenses 380,882 25.4 % 375,136 27.7 %
Depreciation and amortization 71,237     4.8 % 67,784   5.0 %
Operating income 95,132 6.4 % 20,472 1.5 %
Other income, net 3,733     0.2 % 1,536   0.1 %
Income before income taxes 98,865 6.6 % 22,008 1.6 %
Provision for income taxes 36,547     2.4 % 12,329   0.9 %
Net income $ 62,318     4.2 % $ 9,679   0.7 %
 
Net income per basic share $ 0.32 $ 0.05
 
Net income per diluted share $ 0.32 $ 0.05
 
Weighted average common shares
outstanding - basic 195,241 194,285
Weighted average common shares
outstanding - diluted 196,532 194,751
 
   
AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS, INC.
GAAP to Non-GAAP EPS reconciliation
(unaudited)
 
 

13 Weeks Ended

November 1, 2014
 
GAAP Diluted EPS

$

0.05

Add back: Asset Impairment and Corporate Overhead Reduction Charges(1):

  0.17
Non-GAAP Diluted EPS

$

0.22

 
(1) Non-GAAP adjustments consist of $33.5 million of corporate and store asset impairments and $17.7 million of severance and related employee costs and corporate charges.
 
     
AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS, INC.
COMPARABLE SALES RESULTS BY BRAND
(unaudited)
 
Second Quarter
Comparable Sales
2015 2014
American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (1) 11 % -7 %
 
AE Total Brand (1) 10 % -8 %
aerie Total Brand (1) 18 % 9 %
 
YTD Second Quarter
Comparable Sales
2015 2014

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (1)

9 % -9 %
 
AE Total Brand (1) 9 % -9 %
aerie Total Brand (1) 15 % 2 %
 
 
(1) AEO Direct is included in consolidated and total brand comparable sales.
 
       
AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS, INC.
STORE INFORMATION
(unaudited)
   

 

YTD

 

Second Quarter

Second Quarter

Fiscal 2015

Fiscal 2015 Fiscal 2015 Guidance
Consolidated stores at beginning of period 1,054 1,056 1,056
Consolidated stores opened during the period
AE Brand 6 10 20
aerie - - 2
Consolidated stores closed during the period
AE Brand (2) (5) (45-50)
aerie   (1)   (4)   (20-25)

Total consolidated stores at end of period

1,057 1,057 1,003 - 1,013
 
Stores remodeled and refurbished during the period 5 15 25-30
Total gross square footage at end of period 6,643,357 6,643,357 Not Provided
 

International license stores at end of period (1)

114 114 141
 
(1) International license stores are not included in the consolidated store data or the total gross square footage calculation.

Contacts

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.
Kristen Zaccagnini, 412-432-3300

Contacts

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.
Kristen Zaccagnini, 412-432-3300