American Eagle Following A Familiar Pattern

Teen retailer American Eagle (NYSE:AEO) may not be cyclical in the classical sense of the word, but a quick look at the long-term chart shows that this company and stock have long had a pattern of ups and downs.

The shares dropped below $11 this summer on worries about mall traffic and the impact of heavier promotional activity, as well as more existential worries about the future of store-based apparel retailing, but there is a pattern here. While those present-day worries have some validity, the shares fell below $11 in the summer of 2014, the late summer/early fall of 2011, and the fall of 2008. The fall of 2005 and 2002 were also low points along the way, although 2005 bottomed out above $14 and 2002's decline went below $5.

I'm not suggesting that investors should buy AEO shares just because the stock bottoms out every three years and then recovers. What I am suggesting is that this is a strong brand and a well-run company that has been through the wringer before. The apparel retail market is changing, but change is a constant factor in retail, and I believe American Eagle is better positioned than most to withstand these changes. These shares do look a little undervalued and offer an interesting dividend, but the negative drumbeat is likely to go on a little while longer.

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American Eagle Following A Familiar Pattern