American Eagle Outfitters(AEO) - 2026 Q3 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenue increased by 6% to $1.4 billion, marking a record for the third quarter [6][18] - Operating income reached $113 million, exceeding guidance of $95-$100 million, driven by higher-than-expected demand [6][18] - Diluted EPS for the quarter was $0.53, a 10% increase compared to the adjusted EPS from the previous year [6][18] - Gross profit dollars increased by 5% to $552 million, while gross margin declined by 40 basis points to 40.5% [18][19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Aerie's comparable sales (comps) grew by 11%, significantly outperforming American Eagle's 1% comp growth [7][18] - Aerie's performance was driven by strong demand across all categories, including intimates, apparel, and sleep [11][12] - American Eagle saw improvements in men's business, particularly in tops and jeans, contributing to the overall positive comp growth [13][14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Aerie and Offline are emerging as important customer destinations, with Aerie generating nearly $2 billion in revenue and holding less than 5% market share, indicating significant growth potential [8][9] - The company reported a 4% increase in comparable sales, a notable improvement from the previous quarter's 1% decrease [7][18] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on operational improvements and cost efficiencies to enhance profitability in a dynamic macro environment [5][6] - Incremental investments in advertising are aimed at driving stronger demand and enhancing long-term brand awareness [5][6] - The company plans to continue expanding Aerie and Offline, with 22 Aerie and 26 Offline store openings planned [20][21] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the long-term outlook, highlighting a meaningful turnaround from the first half of the year [10][17] - The fourth quarter is off to a strong start, with record performance during the Thanksgiving weekend [9][23] - The company raised its fourth quarter operating income guidance to a range of $155-$160 million, based on expected comp sales growth of 8%-9% [23][24] Other Important Information - The company is on track to close about 35 lower productivity Aerie stores while remodeling 50 Aerie stores to enhance customer experience [21][22] - The balance sheet remains strong, with cash of $113 million and total liquidity of approximately $560 million [23] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you discuss the acceleration in the fourth quarter and the drivers behind it? - Management indicated that both brands are trending ahead of expectations, with Aerie expected to see high teens comp growth and American Eagle in the low to mid-single digits [27] Question: What are the new denim silhouettes that are performing well? - Denim has been strong, particularly in women's, with new silhouettes gaining traction and out-of-stocks being addressed [29] Question: What are the drivers of Aerie's same-store sales improvement? - Aerie's performance is attributed to strong customer acquisition, effective marketing strategies, and a focus on core competency businesses [33][34] Question: What are the expectations for markdowns in the fourth quarter? - Management expects markdowns to be similar to the third quarter, with a focus on maintaining competitive pricing while driving top-line growth [36][39] Question: Can you elaborate on customer acquisition trends? - The company has seen strong customer acquisition across both brands, with strategies in place to retain these customers [51][52] Question: What are the plans for store openings and closures? - The company plans to close about 35 lower productivity stores while opening a similar number of new Aerie and Offline stores [61][62]