On September 9, American Eagle Outfitters Inc. (NYSE:AEO) revealed results for its fiscal 2026 second quarter. The company achieved an 8% year-over-year topline growth with net revenue figures of $1.38 billion. The second quarter operating profit jumped up to $211 million compared to $103 million during the same period last year. As a result, diluted earnings per share for the quarter stood at $0.79 in comparison with $0.45 for Q2 FY25. This led to a $21 million distribution to shareholders with a dividend payout of $0.125 per share.
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A resilient performance during the second quarter was primarily driven by robust momentum within the Aerie sub-brand and OFFLINE collection. There was a 6% year-over-year growth in company-wide comparable sales, whereas the Aerie's comparable sales picked up by 19%. Total gross profit for the quarter reached $672 million, which shows a 34% increase against $500 million for Q2 FY25. This pushed Q2 gross margins to 48.7%, a jump of 980 basis points relative to the previous year's quarter, despite 330 basis points deleveraging across the merchandise margins. Compared to an 8% operating margin in Q2 FY25, the company posted 15.3% margin in the recent period.
Even with a slight dip in comparable sales, the American Eagle brand also exhibited some encouraging signs. It posted sequential gains from the previous quarter, which marks the fourth consecutive quarter of expansion across menswear.
Results for the reported period were bolstered by $196 million in International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariff refunds, which also included interest payments. This resulted in an additional $35 million in incentive compensation set aside by the company, which affected both gross profit and SG&A. After taking these additional expenses into consideration, the overall operating income gains related to tariff refunds amounted to $161 million.
#comparable
Africa Studio/Shutterstock.com
A resilient performance during the second quarter was primarily driven by robust momentum within the Aerie sub-brand and OFFLINE collection. There was a 6% year-over-year growth in company-wide comparable sales, whereas the Aerie's comparable sales picked up by 19%. Total gross profit for the quarter reached $672 million, which shows a 34% increase against $500 million for Q2 FY25. This pushed Q2 gross margins to 48.7%, a jump of 980 basis points relative to the previous year's quarter, despite 330 basis points deleveraging across the merchandise margins. Compared to an 8% operating margin in Q2 FY25, the company posted 15.3% margin in the recent period.
Even with a slight dip in comparable sales, the American Eagle brand also exhibited some encouraging signs. It posted sequential gains from the previous quarter, which marks the fourth consecutive quarter of expansion across menswear.
Results for the reported period were bolstered by $196 million in International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariff refunds, which also included interest payments. This resulted in an additional $35 million in incentive compensation set aside by the company, which affected both gross profit and SG&A. After taking these additional expenses into consideration, the overall operating income gains related to tariff refunds amounted to $161 million.
#comparable
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