American Eagle Outfitters (AEO) vs Ross Stores (ROST)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Ross Stores (ROST) has outperformed American Eagle Outfitters (AEO) over the past year, gaining 50.0% versus a gain of 14.1%. Over five years, ROST leads with a +107.5% price change compared with -27.9% for AEO. Ross Stores is the larger company by market cap ($72.35 billion vs $2.96 billion), about 24.4 times the size.
On valuation, American Eagle Outfitters trades at a lower forward P/E (9.2x vs 25.1x for Ross Stores). American Eagle Outfitters offers the higher dividend yield (2.83% vs 0.75%). Ross Stores converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 9.4% versus 3.5%.
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 | ROST |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $17.66 | $225.53 |
| Market cap | $2.96B | $72.35B |
| 1-day change | -1.29% | +0.59% |
| YTD return | -33.03% | +25.20% |
| 1-year return | +14.08% | +50.01% |
| 5-year return | -27.86% | +107.46% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 9.06 | 27.11 |
| Forward P/E | 9.19 | 25.13 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.95 | $8.32 |
| Dividend yield | 2.83% | 0.75% |
| Annual dividend | $0.50 | $1.70 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $5.55B | $22.75B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +4.10% | +7.67% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $191.98M | $2.15B |
| Gross margin | 36.51% | 27.71% |
| Operating margin | 4.08% | 11.90% |
| Net margin | 3.46% | 9.43% |
| 52-week high | $28.46 | $257.00 |
| 52-week low | $14.06 | $147.49 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -37.95% | -12.25% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +5.04% | +19.97% |
| Average volume | 5.65M | 2.32M |
| Shares outstanding | 167.57M | 320.78M |
| Employees | 10,000 | 111,000 |
| 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
- Ross Stores is about 24.4 times larger than American Eagle Outfitters by market value ($72.35B vs $2.96B).
- ROST has outperformed AEO by 35.9 percentage points over the past year.
- Ross Stores trades at a higher earnings multiple (27.1x vs 9.1x trailing P/E).
- American Eagle Outfitters offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.83% vs 0.75%).
- Ross Stores is more profitable, keeping 9.4 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 3.5 cents for American Eagle Outfitters.
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 Ross Stores
ROST stock →Ross Stores, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates off-price retail apparel and home fashion stores under the Ross Dress for Less and dd's DISCOUNTS brands in the United States. The company offers designer apparel, accessories, footwear, and home-fashioned products for the entire family.
Consumer Discretionary · Clothing/Shoe/Accessory Stores · 111,000 employees
AEO vs ROST FAQ
Which is bigger, American Eagle Outfitters or Ross Stores?
Ross Stores (ROST) is larger, with a market capitalization of $72.35B compared with $2.96B for American Eagle Outfitters (AEO).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, AEO or ROST?
ROST returned +50.01% over the past 12 months, compared with +14.08% for AEO (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, AEO or ROST?
AEO has the lower trailing P/E at 9.1, versus 27.1 for ROST. 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 Ross Stores?
American Eagle Outfitters has the higher yield at 2.83%, compared with 0.75% for Ross Stores.
Are American Eagle Outfitters and Ross Stores in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Clothing/Shoe/Accessory Stores industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.