Quick Summary
- ANF stock climbed approximately 5% during premarket hours following stronger-than-expected Q1 results
- First-quarter adjusted EPS reached $1.47, surpassing the analyst projection of $1.28–$1.29
- Net sales totaled $1.1 billion, falling marginally short of expectations, with comp sales declining 1% versus prior year
- Asia-Pacific region delivered 24% sales growth; Europe declined 10%; Americas advanced 3%
- Company maintained its fiscal year outlook for 3%–5% sales growth and EPS between $10.20–$11.00
Abercrombie & Fitch delivered a split first-quarter performance on Wednesday — profits exceeded projections while sales came up short — yet investors zeroed in on the earnings strength, pushing shares higher by roughly 5% before the opening bell.
The apparel retailer disclosed adjusted earnings per share of $1.47, representing a decline from $1.59 in the year-ago period but comfortably above Wall Street’s consensus estimate ranging from $1.28 to $1.29. Net sales reached $1.1 billion, slightly trailing the $1.12 billion forecast, yet still marking a 2% increase compared to the same quarter last year.
Comparable store sales decreased 1% on a year-over-year basis. The company’s operating margin stood at 8.0%.
Chief Executive Officer Fran Horowitz characterized the period as delivering “record first quarter net sales” and emphasized the company’s achievement of 14 straight quarters of expansion.
ANF stock has struggled throughout 2026 — declining 41% year to date prior to this earnings announcement, pressured by disappointing holiday season performance and a conservative annual forecast provided in earlier guidance.
Geographic and Brand Performance
Results diverged significantly across geographic markets. The Americas region posted net sales growth of 3%, while the Asia-Pacific territory surged 24%. Europe, the Middle East, and Africa contracted 10%, with management citing weakened consumer demand throughout that territory.
Looking at individual brands, Abercrombie recorded 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 expansion of 2%–4% and earnings per share in the range of $1.80–$2.00. The $1.90 midpoint provides analysts with a benchmark as they refine their models for the upcoming period.
Full-year projections remained intact: net sales growth of 3%–5% and EPS between $10.20–$11.00. The midpoint of $10.60 trails slightly behind the Street consensus of $10.71.
Shares began Wednesday’s trading session carrying a year-to-date loss of 41%.
