News Details

PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (NYSE:AEO) today reported earnings of $0.02 per diluted share for the first quarter ended May 3, 2014, compared to adjusted earnings of $0.18 per diluted share for the comparable quarter last year.

Jay Schottenstein, Interim CEO stated, “Results were consistent with our expectations. The quarter reflected weak sales and increased markdowns. We are committed to improved profitability and are working hard to implement our plan to strengthen our brands, channels and operations. Specific actions underway include continuing to build strong omni-channel capabilities, rationalizing our store fleet, reducing expenses, growing international licensed stores, and most importantly, delivering great merchandise and customer experience across our brands. Our focus is on leveraging our strong brands and talented team in order to deliver long-term profitable growth and enhanced value for our shareholders.”

First Quarter 2014 Results
The following discussion is based on Non-GAAP results for the comparable quarter last year, as presented in the accompanying GAAP to Non-GAAP reconciliation.

• Total net revenue decreased 5% to $646 million from $679 million last year.
• Total revenue included growth from non-comp factory stores, international stores and licensed store revenue.
• Consolidated comparable sales decreased 10%, following a 5% decrease last year.
• Gross profit decreased 15% to $226 million and 420 basis points to 34.9% as a rate to revenue. Gross margin reflected the de-leverage of rent on negative comparable sales and increased markdowns, partially offset by favorability in merchandise and design costs.
• Selling, general and administrative expense of $185 million increased 2% or $4.3 million, which included $2.3 million in severance. Investments in factory stores, international and omni-channel drove the increase, and were largely offset by $10 million of expense reductions.
• Operating income decreased 85% to $8 million. The operating margin decreased 710 basis points to 1.3%.
• EPS of $0.02 compares to adjusted EPS of $0.18 last year.

Inventory
Total merchandise inventories at the end of the first quarter declined 3% to $329 million compared to $341 million last year. At cost per foot, inventory decreased 7%. Inventories reflect a change to ownership terms completed late last year, as we began taking ownership of inventory at the receiving port rather than the port of departure. Excluding the change in terms, inventory at cost per foot increased in the mid single-digits. Second quarter 2014 ending inventory at cost per foot is expected to decline in the mid teens, or mid single-digits excluding the change in ownership terms.

Capital Expenditures
In the first quarter, capital expenditures totaled $72 million. For fiscal 2014, the company continues to expect capital expenditures of approximately $230 million.

Real Estate
The company opened 11 new stores, including 5 factory stores, 2 stores in Mexico, and 1 store in China, and closed 20 locations, including 14 aerie stores. Three new North American mainline stores opened in key markets. Additionally, the company added 11 international licensed stores, including its first store in Colombia, and ended the quarter with 77 licensed stores in 13 countries.

Following a comprehensive fleet review, the company has identified an additional 150 stores to close in North America over the next three years, including nearly 100 AE stores. For 2014, the company is planning to close approximately 50 AE and 20 aerie stores in North America. Beginning in 2015, the company anticipates annualized after-tax savings of approximately $10-$15 million related to these store closures. For additional first quarter 2014 actual and fiscal 2014 projected real estate information, see the accompanying table.

Cash and Investments
The company ended the quarter with total cash and investments of $328 million compared to $496 million last year.

Second Quarter Outlook
Based on a high single-digit decline in comparable sales, management expects second quarter EPS to be approximately breakeven compared to earnings of $0.10 per diluted share last year. The guidance excludes potential asset impairment and restructuring charges.

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://americaneagleir2016.q4web.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 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. 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, and Hong Kong, and ships to 81 countries worldwide through its websites. American Eagle Outfitters and Aerie merchandise also is available at 77 licensed international franchise stores in 13 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 regarding second quarter 2014 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.

Source: American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.