American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (NYSE:AEO) Given Average Recommendation of “Reduce” by Brokerages

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (NYSE:AEO) has received an average recommendation of “Reduce” from the sixteen ratings firms that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have given a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $21.75.

Several analysts have commented on AEO shares. Telsey Advisory Group dropped their target price on shares of American Eagle Outfitters from $28.00 to $25.00 and set a “market perform” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, March 5th. Zacks Research cut shares of American Eagle Outfitters from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 10th. TD Cowen lowered their price objective on shares of American Eagle Outfitters from $27.00 to $21.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, March 6th. Citigroup upped their target price on shares of American Eagle Outfitters from $23.00 to $24.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, March 6th. Finally, Barclays reduced their price objective on shares of American Eagle Outfitters from $24.00 to $19.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, March 5th.

American Eagle Outfitters Price Performance

AEO stock opened at $18.29 on Wednesday. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $20.51 and a 200 day moving average price of $20.91. American Eagle Outfitters has a fifty-two week low of $9.27 and a fifty-two week high of $28.46. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.05 billion, a PE ratio of 16.33, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.30 and a beta of 1.50.

American Eagle Outfitters (NYSE:AEO) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, March 4th. The apparel retailer reported $0.84 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.71 by $0.13. American Eagle Outfitters had a net margin of 3.49% and a return on equity of 16.76%. The firm had revenue of $1.81 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.74 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.54 EPS. American Eagle Outfitters’s revenue was up 12.2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts expect that American Eagle Outfitters will post 1.7 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

American Eagle Outfitters Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 24th. Stockholders of record on Friday, April 10th will be paid a dividend of $0.125 per share. This represents a $0.50 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.7%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, April 10th. American Eagle Outfitters’s dividend payout ratio is currently 44.64%.

Insider Transactions at American Eagle Outfitters

In other news, Director Noel Joseph Spiegel sold 2,887 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, April 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $17.32, for a total value of $50,002.84. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Cary D. Mcmillan sold 2,887 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, April 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $17.23, for a total transaction of $49,743.01. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 9,566 shares of company stock worth $198,091. 8.70% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of AEO. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL raised its holdings in American Eagle Outfitters by 50.0% in the 3rd quarter. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL now owns 1,500 shares of the apparel retailer’s stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 500 shares during the period. Kemnay Advisory Services Inc. bought a new position in shares of American Eagle Outfitters during the fourth quarter worth approximately $31,000. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of American Eagle Outfitters during the 4th quarter worth approximately $32,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of American Eagle Outfitters during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $35,000. Finally, Strs Ohio acquired a new stake in shares of American Eagle Outfitters during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $36,000. 97.33% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About American Eagle Outfitters

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc (NYSE: AEO) is a leading American specialty retailer offering apparel, accessories and personal care products for men and women. The company’s flagship brand, American Eagle, focuses on casualwear including denim, tops, outerwear and accessories targeted primarily at teens and young adults. In addition to its core apparel lines, the company operates the Aerie brand of intimates, loungewear and swimwear, which has gained recognition for its body-positive marketing and inclusive sizing.

American Eagle Outfitters conducts business through a combination of over 900 brick-and-mortar stores in North America and Greater China, complemented by a growing e-commerce platform that serves customers around the globe.