AEO reports Q3 sales, profit spike

American Eagle Outfitters' (AEO) gross profit of 552mrose5552m rose 5% from 527m last year. The gross margin of 40.5% declined 40 basis points to last year. The net tariff impact was 20mor150basispointstogrossmargin.Highermarkdownswerelargelyoffsetbypositivesalesandlowercosts,includingfavorabilityinfreight.Operatingincomeincreasedfrom20m or 150 basis points to gross margin. Higher markdowns were largely offset by positive sales and lower costs, including favorability in freight. Operating income increased from 106m to 112mwhilenetincomeincreasedto112m while net income increased to 91m from $80m. “I’m extremely pleased with the significant trend change across our business reflecting dec ...