American Eagle Outfitters Reports Record Second Quarter Sales, Strong EPS Growth

Total Revenue Increased 14%, Comparable Sales Rise 9%

Stores Drive Highest Comp since 2015, Digital Continues to Grow at Double-Digit Pace

EPS of 34 cents compared to 12 cents last year

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. AEO today reported EPS of $0.34 for the quarter ended August 4, 2018, compared to $0.12 for the quarter ended July 29, 2017, up 183%. EPS of $0.34 increased 79% compared to adjusted EPS of $0.19 last year.

Jay Schottenstein, AEO's Chief Executive Officer commented, "The second quarter results exceeded our expectations, delivering record sales and 79% growth in adjusted earnings. This marked our 14^th consecutive quarter of comparable sales growth, with the American Eagle and Aerie brands posting positive results across both stores and e-commerce. Driven by exceptional product, teamwork and execution, it's gratifying to see strength throughout our business, as we capitalize on the broad appeal of our brands and leading merchandise assortments."

He continued, "We are pleased with the performance of the business through the back-to-school season with strength across brands and channels continuing. As we look forward, we remain focused on fueling our brands, delivering the best customer experiences and achieving strong financial returns."

Adjusted amounts are based on Non-GAAP results, as presented in the accompanying GAAP to Non-GAAP reconciliation.

Second Quarter 2018 Results

• Total net revenue increased $120 million, or 14% to $965 million compared to $845 million last year. Approximately $40 million of the revenue increase was due to the shifted retail calendar.
• Consolidated comparable sales increased 9% over the comparable period ending August 5, 2017, following a 2% increase last year.
• By brand, American Eagle's comparable sales increased 7% and Aerie's comparable sales increased 27%, compared to flat and 26% comparable sales last year, respectively.
• Gross profit increased to $353 million from $293 million. Gross profit increased 20% to $353 million from adjusted gross profit of $294 million last year. The gross margin rate increased 170 basis points to 36.6% of revenue compared to adjusted 34.9% last year, primarily reflecting rent leverage.
• Selling, general and administrative expense of $234 million deleveraged 20 basis points to 24.3% as a rate to revenue. Investments in customer-facing store payroll, higher wages, increased incentive expense and advertising contributed to the rise from $204 million last year.
• Depreciation and amortization expense increased 6% to $43 million from $40 million last year, due to continued investments in our business. As a rate to revenue, depreciation leveraged 40 basis points to 4.4%.
• Operating income of $76 million compared to $39 million last year, an increase of $37 million, or 95%. Operating income increased 52% to $76 million from adjusted operating income of $50 million last year, leveraging 190 basis points to 7.9% as a rate to revenue.
• The effective tax rate decreased to 21.9% compared to 34.7% last year, primarily due to the impact of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
• EPS of $0.34 compared to EPS of $0.12 last year. EPS increased 79% compared to adjusted EPS of $0.19 last year.

Inventory

Total ending inventories at cost increased 8% to $466 million, in line with the company's expectations. Looking forward, we expect third quarter ending inventory to be up in the high-single digits.

Capital Expenditures

In the second quarter, capital expenditures totaled $54 million, with more than half related to store remodeling projects and new openings, and the balance to support the digital business, omni-channel tools and general corporate maintenance. We continue to expect capital expenditures to be in the range of $180 million to $190 million this year.

Shareholder Returns, Cash and Investments

During the second quarter, the company returned $24 million to shareholders through cash dividends. As a result of strong free cash flow, we ended the quarter with total cash and investments of $363 million compared to $193 million last year.

Store Information

During the quarter, the company opened 4 American Eagle stores and had no closures, ending with 939 American Eagle stores, including 131 Aerie side-by-side locations. The company opened 1 Aerie stand-alone store and closed 1, ending with 109 Aerie stand-alone stores. Additionally, the company opened 1 Tailgate store. Internationally, the company ended the quarter with 223 licensed stores. For additional store information, see the accompanying table.

Third Quarter Outlook

Based on an anticipated comparable sales increase in the high-single digits and total revenue growth in the mid-single digits, reflecting the approximate $40 million revenue shift into the second quarter due to the shifted retail calendar, management expects third quarter 2018 EPS to be approximately $0.45 to $0.47. This guidance excludes potential asset impairment and restructuring charges. Last year's third quarter reported EPS of $0.36 included approximately $0.01 per share of restructuring and related charges. Excluding these items, last year's third quarter adjusted EPS was $0.37. See the accompanying table for the GAAP to Non-GAAP reconciliation.

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 http://investors.ae.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 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. 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 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. 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 more than 200 international locations operated by licensees in 25 countries. For more information, please visit www.ae.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 2018 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 the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 3, 2018 and in any subsequently-filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed 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 third quarter 2018 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 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 changes in global economic 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.

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