Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. Purchases 65,357 Shares of American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. $AEO

Key Points

• Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. dramatically increased its American Eagle Outfitters position in the fourth quarter, buying 65,357 additional shares and bringing its stake to about 65,400 shares valued at $1.73 million.
• American Eagle Outfitters posted better-than-expected quarterly results, reporting EPS of $0.84 versus estimates of $0.71 and revenue of $1.81 billion, up 12.2% year over year.
• The company also declared a quarterly dividend of $0.125 per share, equal to a 2.8% annualized yield, while analysts currently rate the stock a consensus Hold with a $22.45 price target.

Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. raised its stake in shares of American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (NYSE:AEO - Free Report) by 151,993.0% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 65,400 shares of the apparel retailer's stock after acquiring an additional 65,357 shares during the period. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co.'s holdings in American Eagle Outfitters were worth $1,725,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of AEO. Marshall Wace LLP lifted its stake in American Eagle Outfitters by 920.6% during the 3rd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 5,497,720 shares of the apparel retailer's stock valued at $94,066,000 after acquiring an additional 4,959,039 shares during the period. Segall Bryant & Hamill LLC purchased a new stake in American Eagle Outfitters in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $23,395,000. Kinetic Partners Management LP purchased a new stake in American Eagle Outfitters during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $14,618,000. M&T Bank Corp purchased a new stake in American Eagle Outfitters during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $21,413,000. Finally, Lakewood Capital Management LP purchased a new stake in American Eagle Outfitters during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $11,051,000. Institutional investors own 97.33% of the company's stock.

American Eagle Outfitters Stock Up 2.6%

Shares of NYSE AEO opened at $17.57 on Thursday. The business's 50 day moving average price is $17.16 and its 200 day moving average price is $21.12. The firm has a market cap of $2.94 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.69, a P/E/G ratio of 1.22 and a beta of 1.38. American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. has a 52 week low of $9.27 and a 52 week high of $28.46.

American Eagle Outfitters (NYSE:AEO - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, March 4th. The apparel retailer reported $0.84 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.71 by $0.13. American Eagle Outfitters had a return on equity of 16.76% and a net margin of 3.49%.The firm had revenue of $1.81 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.74 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.54 earnings per share. American Eagle Outfitters's revenue for the quarter was up 12.2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts expect that American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. will post 1.75 earnings per share for the current year.

American Eagle Outfitters Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 24th. Shareholders of record on Friday, April 10th were given a $0.125 dividend. This represents a $0.50 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.8%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, April 10th. American Eagle Outfitters's dividend payout ratio is currently 44.64%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms recently weighed in on AEO. Wall Street Zen raised shares of American Eagle Outfitters from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Saturday, April 25th. Citigroup boosted their target price on American Eagle Outfitters from $23.00 to $24.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Friday, March 6th. Needham & Company LLC assumed coverage on shares of American Eagle Outfitters in a research note on Thursday, March 26th. They set a "hold" rating for the company. TD Cowen lowered their target price on shares of American Eagle Outfitters from $19.00 to $18.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, May 18th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a "hold (c+)" rating on shares of American Eagle Outfitters in a report on Wednesday, March 25th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, thirteen have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, American Eagle Outfitters presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $22.45.

Insider Activity at American Eagle Outfitters

In other American Eagle Outfitters news, Director Cary D. Mcmillan sold 2,887 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, April 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $17.23, for a total value of $49,743.01. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Noel Joseph Spiegel sold 2,887 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, April 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $17.32, for a total value of $50,002.84. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Corporate insiders own 8.95% of the company's stock.

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.

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