Earnings Today:
American Eagle- reports earnings after the bell. Options imply about a 9% move in either direction. American Eagle Q4 inventory is still high around +26%. However, a much better improvement from +42% in Q3 2011. Wall Street analysts expect the teen retailer to earn 38 cents a share on revenue of $809 million. In January 2012, ARO reiterated its fourth-quarter earnings outlook to be between 35-38 cents. Personally, I am staying away from most retailers. Their charts look topped out for the most part. Finally, Discounting the unwanted/unused winter merchandise will probably squeeze all retailers gross margins.
Bke- The average analyst estimate is earnings of $1.14 per share. Estimates range from $1.11 to $1.18. Weekly support is at $42.90, which was last week’s low. Buckle’s February same store sales up 14.8% vs 5.8% estimates. For the month of February, total revenue increased 17.4% to $86.7 million from $73.9 million in the same month last year. Buckle’s closing price yesterday was $47.88. Buckle’s 52 week range is $33.97-$47.88. In my opinion, Buckle is going to really have to to blow out earnings and raise guidance for this stock to make fresh 52 week highs today.