American Eagle Outfitters (NYSE:AEO) Reaches New 52-Week Low - Here's Why

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (NYSE:AEO - Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as $10.25 and last traded at $10.53, with a volume of 5718938 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $10.77.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have recently weighed in on AEO. UBS Group cut their price target on American Eagle Outfitters from $32.00 to $28.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, March 13th. Morgan Stanley cut their target price on shares of American Eagle Outfitters from $16.00 to $12.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, March 13th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on shares of American Eagle Outfitters from $15.00 to $10.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, April 14th. Telsey Advisory Group cut their price objective on shares of American Eagle Outfitters from $18.00 to $12.00 and set a "market perform" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, March 13th. Finally, Bank of America lowered their target price on shares of American Eagle Outfitters from $18.00 to $13.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, March 14th. Eleven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, American Eagle Outfitters has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $15.50.

American Eagle Outfitters Price Performance

The company has a 50 day moving average of $11.44 and a 200-day moving average of $15.24. The company has a market cap of $1.91 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.47, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.82 and a beta of 1.40.

American Eagle Outfitters Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 25th. Stockholders of record on Friday, April 11th were given a dividend of $0.125 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, April 11th. This represents a $0.50 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.51%. American Eagle Outfitters's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 29.76%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On American Eagle Outfitters

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of AEO. Blue Trust Inc. increased its holdings in shares of American Eagle Outfitters by 95.7% in the 4th quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,916 shares of the apparel retailer's stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 937 shares during the last quarter. Huntington National Bank increased its stake in American Eagle Outfitters by 258.8% in the fourth quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 2,045 shares of the apparel retailer's stock valued at $34,000 after acquiring an additional 1,475 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its position in American Eagle Outfitters by 380.4% during the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 2,325 shares of the apparel retailer's stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 1,841 shares in the last quarter. Principal Securities Inc. lifted its stake in American Eagle Outfitters by 2,239.1% during the fourth quarter. Principal Securities Inc. now owns 2,573 shares of the apparel retailer's stock worth $43,000 after purchasing an additional 2,463 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Park Place Capital Corp purchased a new position in shares of American Eagle Outfitters in the 4th quarter worth about $45,000. 97.33% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About American Eagle Outfitters

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc operates as a multi-brand specialty retailer in the United States and internationally. The company provides jeans, apparel and accessories, and personal care products for women and men under the American Eagle brand; and intimates, apparel, activewear, and swim collections under the Aerie and OFFLINE by Aerie brands.