What Happened?
Shares of young adult apparel retailer American Eagle Outfitters (NYSE: AEO) fell 3.3% in the afternoon session after the major indices pulled back (Nasdaq -0.8%, S&P 500 -0.77%), largely due to escalating concerns surrounding the July 9th deadline for new US tariffs, now amplified by specific announcements.
Earlier in the day, President Trump confirmed that Japan and South Korea would face new 25% tariffs on their imports to the US, effective August 1st. These announcements came ahead of the broader July 9th expiration of a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs, which failed to produce comprehensive trade deals with most nations. This action against two major trading partners, coupled with the ongoing threat of further tariffs on countries associated with the BRICS bloc, injected significant uncertainty and apprehension into global markets. Investors were likely reacting to the increased costs for businesses, potential disruptions to global supply chains, and the broader implications for international trade relations.
The stock market overreacts to news, and big price drops can present good opportunities to buy high-quality stocks. Is now the time to buy American Eagle? Access our full analysis report here, it’s free.
What Is The Market Telling Us
American Eagle’s shares are very volatile and have had 21 moves greater than 5% over the last year. In that context, today’s move indicates the market considers this news meaningful but not something that would fundamentally change its perception of the business.
American Eagle is down 41.9% since the beginning of the year, and at $9.95 per share, it is trading 56.2% below its 52-week high of $22.70 from August 2024. Investors who bought $1,000 worth of American Eagle’s shares 5 years ago would now be looking at an investment worth $928.17.
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