American Eagle Outfitters Reports All-time High Second Quarter Revenue and Operating Income Reflecting Strength Across Brands and Great Progress on our “Real Power. Real Growth.” Value Creation Plan

Rhea-AI Summary

American Eagle Outfitters reported record revenue of $1.19 billion for Q2 2021, a 35% increase year-over-year. Operating income reached $168 million, marking an all-time high with significant contributions from both Aerie and American Eagle brands. Aerie's revenue rose 34%, while American Eagle's increased 35%. The gross margin expanded to 42.1%, reflecting improved sales and cost control. The company ended the quarter with $824 million in cash, and a 31% dividend increase was approved.

Positive

• Record revenue of $1.19 billion, up 35% from Q2 2020.
• Operating income at $168 million, an all-time second quarter high.
• Aerie's operating income rose 132% to $71 million.
• American Eagle's operating income increased 234% to $199 million.
• Gross margin expanded to 42.1%, reflecting strong demand and inventory optimization.
• Company ended with $824 million in cash and short-term investments.
• 31% increase in quarterly dividend approved.

Negative

• Digital revenue decreased 5% compared to Q2 2020.
• Average diluted shares outstanding increased from 166 million to 209 million, reflecting unrealized dilution.

Second Quarter 2021 Highlights Compared to Second Quarter 2020

• Record revenue of $1.19 billion increased 35%
• Operating income reached an all-time second quarter high of $168 million
• Higher full-priced sales, reduced promotions and controlled costs fueled gross margin expansion to 42.1%
• Aerie net revenue increased 34%, operating income rose 132%, reflecting a 21.0% operating margin
• American Eagle net revenue rose 35%, operating income was up 234%, reflecting a 23.5% operating margin

PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (NYSE: AEO) today announced financial results for the second quarter ended July 31, 2021.

“It’s extremely gratifying to see significant growth across our business, as we delivered another quarter of record revenue and profitability. Results underscore the strength of our brands, outstanding product and a leading customer experience across selling channels. We are running our business with a laser focus on profitability through inventory and real-estate optimization initiatives and investments to enhance our supply chain. Led by an expanding customer file, Aerie is achieving consistent, robust multi-year growth and very strong profit flow through. American Eagle posted meaningful top-and bottom-line increases with significant unlock still ahead. Our Real Power. Real Growth. plan has been a guiding light for all facets of the business, positioning us to successfully navigate a dynamic macro environment. Despite external challenges, I believe we are on path to achieve $600 million in operating income this year, well ahead of our previous target,” said Jay Schottenstein, AEO’s Executive Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer.”

Second Quarter 2021 Results

• Total net revenue increased $311 million, or 35% to $1.19 billion, compared to $0.88 billion in the second quarter of 2020.
• Aerie revenue of $336 million rose 34% from second quarter 2020 on top of 32% growth last year. American Eagle revenue of $846 million rose 35% versus second quarter 2020 following a 26% decline last year.
• Consolidated store revenue increased 73% from second quarter 2020 due to an improvement in store traffic. Total online demand this quarter was up 9%. Digital revenue decreased 5% from second quarter 2020 reflecting the natural channel shift associated with improved store traffic across the US. Last year, the abrupt acceleration in digital also created a significant fulfillment backlog that shifted sales from the first quarter into the second quarter in 2020. Compared to the pre-pandemic second quarter 2019 base, store revenue increased 4% and digital revenue increased 66%.
• Gross profit of $502 million rose 89% from $265 million in the second quarter of 2020.
• Gross margin of 42.1% expanded 1210 basis points from 30% in the second quarter of 2020. The increase from 2020 reflected significant revenue and merchandise margin expansion across brands, primarily driven by strong demand, higher full-priced sales, lower promotions and inventory optimization initiatives. Rent, digital delivery expenses and compensation also leveraged.
• Selling, general and administrative expense leveraged 70 basis points as a rate to sales versus second quarter 2020 due to strong revenue growth. On a dollar basis, SG&A increased due largely to the re-opening of our stores. We also saw increased advertising as well as incentive costs.
• Depreciation and amortization expense of $40 million compared to $39 million in the second quarter of 2020 and leveraged 100 basis points as a rate to sales due to strong revenue growth, asset impairments, as well as lower capital spending in 2020.
• Operating income of $168 million compared to an operating loss of $12 million in second quarter 2020, or operating income of $2 million on an adjusted basis. Aerie’s operating income of $71 million increased 132% from $30 million in the second quarter of 2020 and American Eagle’s operating income of $199 million increased 234% from $60 million in the second quarter of 2020.
• Operating margin of 14.1% reflected the highest rate since 2008. Aerie operating margin of 21.0% expanded 890 bps from 2020 and American Eagle’s operating margin of 23.5% expanded 1400 bps from 2020.
• Average diluted shares outstanding were 209 million compared to 166 million in the second quarter of 2020. The increase primarily reflected 36 million shares of unrealized dilution associated with the company’s convertible notes.
• EPS of $0.58 this quarter. Adjusted EPS of $0.60 this quarter excludes $0.02 of non-cash interest expense on the company’s convertible notes.

Inventory

Total consolidated ending inventory at cost increased $82 million or 20% to $504 million compared to a 21% decline last year. Inventory was up across both brands, positioned in key Fall categories, yet remained below revenue growth, which is consistent with our focus on inventory optimization.

Capital Expenditures

In the second quarter of 2021, capital expenditures totaled $49 million, and year to date totaled $86 million. For fiscal 2021, the company now expects capital expenditures to be at the lower end of our prior guidance range of $250 to $275 million.

Cash Flow and Balance Sheet

The company ended the period with total cash and short-term investments of $824 million. This compares to $899 million in second quarter 2020 which included $200 million from AEO’s revolving credit facility, repaid in third quarter 2020.

Shareholder Returns

As previously announced, the Board of Directors of AEO approved a 31% increase in the quarterly dividend in June 2021 from $0.1375 to $0.18 per share. The company’s second quarter cash dividend of $30 million was paid during the quarter.

Conference Call and Supplemental Financial Information

Today, management will host a conference call and real time webcast at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time. To listen to the call, dial 1-877-407-0789 or internationally dial 1-201-689-8562 or go to www.aeo-inc.com to access the webcast and audio replay. Additionally, 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 consolidated adjusted operating income and earnings per share, 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. Non-GAAP information is provided as a supplement to, not as a substitute for, or as superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. Management believes that this non-GAAP information is useful for an alternate presentation of the company’s performance, when reviewed in conjunction with the company’s GAAP consolidated financial statements, as it helps identify underlying trends in our business that could otherwise be masked by the effect of the items that we exclude in such non-GAAP measures. Accordingly, we believe that adjusted operating income provides useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating our operating results, enhancing the overall understanding of our past performance and future prospects, and allowing for greater transparency with respect to the key financial metrics used by our management in our financial and operational decision-making.

These amounts are not determined in accordance with GAAP and therefore, should not be used exclusively in evaluating the company’s business and operations. We encourage investors and others to review our financial information in its entirety, not to rely on any single financial measure and to view these non-GAAP financial measures in conjunction with the related GAAP financial measures.

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® and Aerie® brands. Our purpose is to show the world that there’s REAL power in the optimism of youth. The company operates stores in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Hong Kong, and ships to 81 countries worldwide through its websites. American Eagle and Aerie merchandise also is available at more than 200 international locations operated by licensees in 33 countries. For more information, please visit www.aeo-inc.com.

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995

This release and related statements by management contain forward-looking statements (as such term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995), which represent our expectations or beliefs concerning future events, including third quarter and annual fiscal 2021 results. All forward-looking statements made by the company involve material risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on many important factors, some of which may be beyond the company’s control. Words such as "estimate," "project," "plan," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," “potential,” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements. Except as may be required by applicable law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise and even if experience or future changes make it clear that any projected results expressed or implied therein will not be realized. The following factors, in addition to the risks disclosed in Item 1A., Risk Factors, of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2021 and in any other filings that we may make with the Securities and Exchange Commission in some cases have affected, and in the future could affect, the company's financial performance and could cause actual results for fiscal 2021 and beyond to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any of the forward-looking statements included in this release or otherwise made by management: the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and related operational disruptions; the risk that the company’s operating, financial and capital plans may not be achieved; our inability to anticipate customer demand and changing fashion trends and to manage our inventory commensurately; seasonality of our business; our inability to achieve planned store financial performance; our inability to react to raw material cost, labor and energy cost increases; our inability to gain market share in the face of declining shopping center traffic; our inability to respond to changes in e-commerce and leverage omni-channel demands; our inability to expand internationally; difficulty with our international merchandise sourcing strategies; challenges with information technology systems, including safeguarding against security breaches; and global economic, public health, social, political and financial conditions, and the resulting impact on consumer confidence and consumer spending, as well as other changes in consumer discretionary spending habits, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and liquidity.

AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)
	July 31,				January 30,				August 1,
	2021				2021				2020
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	773,994			$	850,477			$	898,787
Short-term investments		50,000				-				-
Merchandise inventory		503,507				405,445				421,196
Accounts receivable		155,361				146,102				107,243
Prepaid expenses and other		118,721				120,619				155,141
Total current assets		1,601,583				1,522,643				1,582,367
Property and equipment, net		641,396				623,808				659,351
Operating lease right-of-use assets		1,103,247				1,155,965				1,271,491
Intangible assets, including goodwill		70,620				70,332				51,432
Non-current deferred income taxes		46,600				33,045				30,224
Other assets		31,576				29,013				33,111
Total Assets	$	3,495,022			$	3,434,806			$	3,627,976
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable	$	221,471			$	255,912			$	295,296
Current portion of operating lease liabilities		288,534				328,624				348,921
Accrued compensation and payroll taxes		133,185				142,272				66,131
Other current liabilities and accrued expenses		56,568				55,343				51,281
Unredeemed gift cards and gift certificates		44,095				62,181				43,165
Accrued income taxes and other		25,365				14,150				12,783
Dividends payable		-				-				22,837
Total current liabilities		769,218				858,482				840,414
Non-current operating lease liabilities		1,094,386				1,148,742				1,253,105
Long-term debt, net		331,680				325,290				516,953
Other non-current liabilities		24,207				15,627				19,604
Total non-current liabilities		1,450,273				1,489,659				1,789,662
Commitments and contingencies		-				-				-
Preferred stock		-				-				-
Common stock		2,496				2,496				2,496
Contributed capital		630,506				663,718				647,284
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(36,894	)			(40,748	)			(47,991	)
Retained earnings		2,058,448				1,868,613				1,807,687
Treasury stock		(1,379,025	)			(1,407,414	)			(1,411,576	)
Total stockholders' equity		1,275,531				1,086,665				997,900
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$	3,495,022			$	3,434,806			$	3,627,976
Current Ratio		2.08				1.77				1.88

AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
		GAAP Basis
		13 Weeks Ended
		July 31,				% of			August 1,				% of
		2021				Revenue			2020				Revenue
Total net revenue		$	1,194,156			100.0	%		$	883,510			100.0	%
Cost of sales, including certain buying, occupancy and warehousing expenses			691,765			57.9	%			618,311			70.0	%
Gross profit			502,391			42.1	%			265,199			30.0	%
Selling, general and administrative expenses			293,939			24.6	%			223,711			25.3	%
Impairment, restructuring and COVID-19 related charges			-			0.0	%			14,611			1.7	%
Depreciation and amortization expense			40,456			3.4	%			39,114			4.4	%
Operating income (loss)			167,996			14.1	%			(12,237	)		-1.4	%
Interest expense (income), net			8,921			0.8	%			8,547			1.0	%
Other (income) expense, net			(1,363	)		-0.1	%			(1,554	)		-0.2	%
Income (loss) before income taxes			160,438			13.4	%			(19,230	)		-2.2	%
Provision (benefit) from income taxes			38,927			3.2	%			(5,478	)		-0.6	%
Net income (loss)		$	121,511			10.2	%		$	(13,752	)		-1.6	%
Net income (loss) per basic share		$	0.73						$	(0.08	)
Net income (loss) per diluted share		$	0.58						$	(0.08	)
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic			167,491							166,315
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted			208,933							166,315
		GAAP Basis
		26 Weeks Ended
		July 31,				% of			August 1,				% of
		2021				Revenue			2020				Revenue
Total net revenue		$	2,228,769			100.0	%		$	1,435,202			100.0	%
Cost of sales, including certain buying, occupancy and warehousing expenses			1,290,188			57.9	%			1,141,697			79.5	%
Gross profit			938,581			42.1	%			293,505			20.5	%
Selling, general and administrative expenses			558,430			25.1	%			411,908			28.7	%
Impairment, restructuring and COVID-19 related charges			-			0.0	%			170,231			11.9	%
Depreciation and amortization expense			78,727			3.5	%			81,844			5.7	%
Operating income (loss)			301,424			13.5	%			(370,478	)		-25.8	%
Interest expense (income), net			17,426			0.7	%			8,693			0.6	%
Other (income) expense, net			(3,223	)		-0.1	%			1,429			0.1	%
Income (loss) before income taxes			287,221			12.9	%			(380,600	)		-26.5	%
Provision (benefit) from income taxes			70,244			3.2	%			(109,685	)		-7.6	%
Net income (loss)		$	216,977			9.7	%		$	(270,915	)		-18.9	%
Net income (loss) per basic share		$	1.29						$	(1.63	)
Net income (loss) per diluted share		$	1.04						$	(1.63	)
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic			168,036							166,461
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted			208,400							166,461

AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS, INC.
GAAP TO NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
	13 Weeks Ended
	July 31, 2021
	Interest Expense, net				Net Income				Diluted Earnings per Common Share
GAAP Basis	$	8,921			$	121,511			$	0.58
% of Revenue		0.8	%			10.2	%
Less: Convertible debt (1):		4,956				3,754				0.02
Non-GAAP Basis	$	3,965			$	125,265			$	0.60
% of Revenue		0.3	%			10.5	%
(1) Amortization of the non-cash discount on the Company's convertible notes

AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS, INC.
GAAP TO NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
		13 Weeks Ended
		August 1, 2020
		Operating (Loss) Income				Interest Expense, net				Net (Loss) Income				Diluted (Loss) per Common Share
GAAP Basis		$	(12,237	)		$	8,547			$	(13,752	)		$	(0.08	)
% of Revenue			-1.4	%			1.0	%		-1.6		%
Add: Incremental COVID-19 related expenses and restructuring (1):			14,611				-				10,447				0.05
Less: Convertible debt (2):			-				3,949				2,826				0.03
Non-GAAP Basis		$	2,374			$	4,598			$	(479	)		$	(0.00	)
% of Revenue			0.3	%			0.5	%			-0.1	%
(1) $14.6 million incremental COVID-19 related expenses and restructuring charges:
-$13.9 million of incremental COVID-19 related expenses consisting of personal protective equipment and supplies for our associates and customers - $0.7 million of corporate severance charges
(2) Amortization of the non-cash discount on the Company's convertible notes

AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS, INC.
RESULTS BY SEGEMENT
(Dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)
		American Eagle				Aerie			Corporate(1)				Total(2)
13 weeks ended July 31, 2021
Total net revenue		$	845,882			$	335,795		$	12,479			$	1,194,156
Operating income (loss)		$	198,896			$	70,646		$	(101,546	)		$	167,996
Capital Expenditures		$	17,189			$	16,641		$	15,569			$	49,399
13 weeks ended August 1, 2020
Total net revenue		$	624,831			$	251,511		$	7,168			$	883,510
Operating income (loss)		$	59,603			$	30,404		$	(102,244	)		$	(12,237	)
Impairment, restructuring, and COVID-19 related charges		$	-			$	-		$	14,611			$	14,611
Adjusted operating income (loss)		$	59,603			$	30,404		$	(87,633	)		$	2,374
Capital Expenditures		$	6,774			$	8,620		$	12,098			$	27,492
		American Eagle				Aerie			Corporate(1)				Total(2)
26 weeks ended July 31, 2021
Total net revenue		$	1,573,584			$	633,282		$	21,903			$	2,228,769
Operating income (loss)		$	350,128			$	140,624		$	(189,328	)		$	301,424
Capital Expenditures		$	30,628			$	27,460		$	28,117			$	86,205
26 weeks ended August 1, 2020
Total net revenue		$	1,015,081			$	406,492		$	13,629			$	1,435,202
Operating income (loss)		$	(154,146	)		$	11,275		$	(227,607	)		$	(370,478	)
Impairment, restructuring, and COVID-19 related charges		$	90,926			$	18,215		$	61,090			$	170,231
Adjusted operating income (loss)		$	(63,220	)		$	29,490		$	(166,517	)		$	(200,247	)
Capital Expenditures		$	14,873			$	17,408		$	29,121			$	61,402
(1) Corporate includes revenue and operating results of the Todd Snyder and Unsubscribed brands, which are not material to disclose as separate reportable segments. Corporate operating costs represents certain costs that are not directly attributable to another reportable segment.
(2) The difference between Total Operating Income (loss) and Income (loss) before Taxes includes the following items, which are not allocated to our reportable segments:
- For the 13 weeks ended July 31, 2021, interest expense, net or $8.9 million and other (income) expense, net of ($1.4) million. For the 26 weeks ended July 31, 2021, interest expense, net of $17.4 million and other (income) expense, net of ($3.2) million.
- For the 13 weeks ended August 1, 2020, interest expense, net of $8.5 million and other (income) expense, net of ($1.6) million. For the 26 weeks ended August 1, 2020, interest expense, net of $8.7 million and other (income) expense, net of $1.4 million.

AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS, INC.
STORE INFORMATION
(unaudited)
				Second Quarter			YTD Second Quarter
				2021			2021
Consolidated stores at beginning of period				1,074			1,078
Consolidated stores opened during the period
AE Brand				7			11
Aerie stand-alone(3)				12			18
Todd Snyder				1			1
Unsubscribed				0			1
Consolidated stores closed during the period
AE Brand				(4	)		(18	)
Aerie stand-alone(3)				0			(1	)
Total consolidated stores at end of period				1,090			1,090
AE Brand				894
Aerie stand-alone(3)				191
Aerie side-by-side(2)				183
Unsubscribed				2
Todd Snyder				3
Stores remodeled and refurbished during the period				8			11
Total gross square footage at end of period (in '000)				6,799			6,799
International license locations at end of period (1)				242			242
Aerie Openings
Aerie stand-alone(3)				12			18
Aerie side-by-side stores (2)				5			5
Total Aerie Openings				17			23
(1) International license locations are not included in the consolidated store data or the total gross square footage calculation.
(2) Aerie side-by-side and Offline side-by-side stores are included in the AE Brand store count as they are considered part of the AE Brand store to which they are attached.
(3) Aerie stand-alone stores include 1 OFFLINE opening YTD and 5 OFFLINE stores in the consolidated totals.

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210902005238/en/

Olivia Messina

412-432-3300

LineMedia@ae.com

Source: American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.

FAQ

What was American Eagle Outfitters' revenue in Q2 2021?

American Eagle Outfitters reported a record revenue of $1.19 billion in Q2 2021.

How did operating income change for AEO in Q2 2021?

Operating income for AEO increased to $168 million in Q2 2021, compared to an operating loss of $12 million in Q2 2020.

What was Aerie's revenue growth in Q2 2021?

Aerie's revenue grew by 34% year-over-year in Q2 2021, reaching $336 million.

What is the current operating margin for American Eagle?

American Eagle reported an operating margin of 23.5% for Q2 2021.

How much cash did AEO have at the end of Q2 2021?

AEO ended Q2 2021 with $824 million in total cash and short-term investments.

Did AEO increase its dividend in 2021?

Yes, AEO approved a 31% increase in its quarterly dividend, raising it from $0.1375 to $0.18 per share.