American Eagle Outfitters (AEO) vs Buckle (BKE)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
American Eagle Outfitters (AEO) has outperformed Buckle (BKE) over the past year, gaining 14.1% versus a loss of 23.2%. Over five years, BKE leads with a +3.1% price change compared with -27.9% for AEO. American Eagle Outfitters is the larger company by market cap ($2.92 billion vs $2.19 billion), about 1.3 times the size.
On valuation, American Eagle Outfitters trades at a lower forward P/E (9.0x vs 10.2x for Buckle). Buckle offers the higher dividend yield (3.29% vs 2.87%).
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | AEO | BKE |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $17.40 | $42.50 |
| Market cap | $2.92B | $2.19B |
| 1-day change | -1.46% | -2.55% |
| YTD return | -33.03% | -18.33% |
| 1-year return | +14.08% | -23.24% |
| 5-year return | -27.86% | +3.12% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 8.92 | 9.79 |
| Forward P/E | 9.05 | 10.25 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.95 | $4.34 |
| Dividend yield | 2.87% | 3.29% |
| Annual dividend | $0.50 | $1.40 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $5.55B | — |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +4.10% | — |
| Net income (latest FY) | $191.98M | — |
| Gross margin | 36.51% | — |
| Operating margin | 4.08% | — |
| Net margin | 3.46% | — |
| 52-week high | $28.46 | $58.52 |
| 52-week low | $14.06 | $39.44 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -38.87% | -27.38% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +6.62% | +8.24% |
| Average volume | 5.63M | 460.43K |
| Shares outstanding | 167.57M | 51.51M |
| Employees | 10,000 | 2,900 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Clothing/Shoe/Accessory Stores | Clothing/Shoe/Accessory Stores |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- AEO has outperformed BKE by 37.3 percentage points over the past year.
About American Eagle Outfitters
AEO stock →American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. operates as a multi-brand specialty retailer in the United States and internationally.
Consumer Discretionary · Clothing/Shoe/Accessory Stores · 10,000 employees
About Buckle
BKE stock →The Buckle, Inc. operates as a retailer of casual apparel, footwear, and accessories for men, women, and kids under the Buckle and Buckle Youth brands in the United States.
Consumer Discretionary · Clothing/Shoe/Accessory Stores · 2,900 employees
AEO vs BKE FAQ
Which is bigger, American Eagle Outfitters or Buckle?
American Eagle Outfitters (AEO) is larger, with a market capitalization of $2.92B compared with $2.19B for Buckle (BKE).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, AEO or BKE?
AEO returned +14.08% over the past 12 months, compared with -23.24% for BKE (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, AEO or BKE?
AEO has the lower trailing P/E at 8.9, versus 9.8 for BKE. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, American Eagle Outfitters or Buckle?
Buckle has the higher yield at 3.29%, compared with 2.87% for American Eagle Outfitters.
Are American Eagle Outfitters and Buckle in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Clothing/Shoe/Accessory Stores industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.