Abercrombie & Fitch Lifts Its Outlook—And Its Stock Drops

Company Performance - Abercrombie & Fitch raised its end-of-year outlook, expecting Q4 net sales growth of 7% to 8%, up from the previous estimate of 5% to 7% [2] - The company also lifted its guidance for quarterly operating margins [2] - Despite the positive outlook, shares fell nearly 20% to around 130, reversing recent upward momentum that began in mid-December [1][2] Market Reaction - The stock's decline may be partly due to a broader market downturn, with the S&P 500 down about 3% [1] - Investors appeared disappointed, possibly expecting a larger upside surprise or a longer-term update [2] - Analysts had anticipated quarterly revenue growth of about 7%, aligning closely with the company's updated guidance [2] Analyst Sentiment - Analysts remain broadly bullish on Abercrombie & Fitch, with Jeffries maintaining a "buy" rating and a 220 price target, significantly higher than Visible Alpha's consensus [3] - Some analysts view the stock's recent drop as a buying opportunity [3]