Key Highlights
- Shares of ANF climbed approximately 5% during premarket hours following better-than-expected Q1 results
- First quarter adjusted earnings per share reached $1.47, surpassing Wall Street’s $1.28–$1.29 projection
- Quarterly revenue totaled $1.1 billion, falling marginally short with comp sales declining 1% versus prior year
- Asia-Pacific region delivered 24% sales growth; Europe, Middle East & Africa declined 10%; Americas advanced 3%
- Company maintained full-year outlook calling for 3%–5% sales expansion and EPS between $10.20–$11.00
Abercrombie & Fitch delivered a split first quarter performance on Wednesday — exceeding profit forecasts while falling short on the top line — yet investors zeroed in on the earnings strength, pushing shares up roughly 5% before the opening bell.
The apparel retailer delivered adjusted earnings per share of $1.47, marking a decline from last year’s $1.59 but handily beating the Street’s expectation of approximately $1.28–$1.29. Quarterly sales reached $1.1 billion, narrowly missing the anticipated $1.12 billion target, yet still representing a 2% increase compared to the year-ago period.
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Comparable store sales edged down 1% on a year-over-year basis. The company’s operating margin registered at 8.0%.
Chief Executive Fran Horowitz characterized the period as delivering “record first quarter net sales” and emphasized the company’s achievement of 14 straight quarters of expansion.
Shares of ANF have struggled throughout 2026 — tumbling 41% year to date prior to Wednesday’s report, pressured by disappointing holiday season performance and conservative annual projections provided earlier.
Geographic and Brand Performance
Results differed significantly by geography. The Americas region posted 3% net sales growth, while Asia-Pacific soared 24%. Europe, Middle East & Africa contracted 10%, with management citing weakened consumer demand in those markets.
Looking at brand performance, Abercrombie delivered 3% year-over-year growth. Hollister remained unchanged.
Management announced plans to execute approximately $450 million in share buybacks throughout the current fiscal year.
Forward Outlook
For the second quarter, Abercrombie projected net sales growth ranging from 2%–4% with earnings per share between $1.80–$2.00. The $1.90 midpoint provides analysts with a benchmark as they model the upcoming period.
The company left its full-year forecast intact: net sales growth of 3%–5% and earnings per share spanning $10.20–$11.00. The $10.60 midpoint trails the analyst consensus of $10.71 modestly.
Shares began Wednesday’s trading session carrying a year-to-date decline of 41%.
