American Eagle Outfitters (AEO) vs Urban Outfitters (URBN)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
American Eagle Outfitters (AEO) has outperformed Urban Outfitters (URBN) over the past year, gaining 15.4% versus a gain of 12.8%. Over five years, URBN leads with a +167.6% price change compared with -26.6% for AEO. Urban Outfitters is the larger company by market cap ($6.94 billion vs $3.01 billion), about 2.3 times the size.
On valuation, American Eagle Outfitters trades at a lower forward P/E (9.3x vs 11.7x for Urban Outfitters). American Eagle Outfitters pays a dividend yielding 2.78%, while Urban Outfitters does not currently pay one. Urban Outfitters converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 7.5% 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 | URBN |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $17.97 | $80.96 |
| Market cap | $3.01B | $6.94B |
| 1-day change | +1.76% | +1.52% |
| YTD return | -31.85% | +7.57% |
| 1-year return | +15.41% | +12.79% |
| 5-year return | -26.59% | +167.64% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 9.22 | 12.67 |
| Forward P/E | 9.35 | 11.68 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.95 | $6.39 |
| Dividend yield | 2.78% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.50 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $5.55B | $6.17B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +4.10% | +11.07% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $191.98M | $464.92M |
| Gross margin | 36.51% | 35.97% |
| Operating margin | 4.08% | 9.82% |
| Net margin | 3.46% | 7.54% |
| 52-week high | $28.46 | $85.43 |
| 52-week low | $14.06 | $59.54 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -36.86% | -5.23% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +3.23% | +10.46% |
| Average volume | 5.63M | 1.13M |
| Shares outstanding | 167.57M | 85.66M |
| Employees | 10,000 | 11,780 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Cyclical |
| Industry | Clothing/Shoe/Accessory Stores | Apparel Retail |
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
- Urban Outfitters is about 2.3 times larger than American Eagle Outfitters by market value ($6.94B vs $3.01B).
- Urban Outfitters trades at a higher earnings multiple (12.7x vs 9.2x trailing P/E).
- American Eagle Outfitters offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.78% vs 0.00%).
- Urban Outfitters grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+11.07% vs +4.10%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: American Eagle Outfitters in Consumer Discretionary and Urban Outfitters in Consumer Cyclical.
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 Urban Outfitters
URBN stock →Urban Outfitters, Inc. offers lifestyle products and services in the United States and internationally.
Consumer Cyclical · Apparel Retail · 11,780 employees
AEO vs URBN FAQ
Which is bigger, American Eagle Outfitters or Urban Outfitters?
Urban Outfitters (URBN) is larger, with a market capitalization of $6.94B compared with $3.01B for American Eagle Outfitters (AEO).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, AEO or URBN?
AEO returned +15.41% over the past 12 months, compared with +12.79% for URBN (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, AEO or URBN?
AEO has the lower trailing P/E at 9.2, versus 12.7 for URBN. 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 Urban Outfitters?
American Eagle Outfitters pays a dividend yielding 2.78%, while Urban Outfitters does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are American Eagle Outfitters and Urban Outfitters in the same industry?
No. American Eagle Outfitters is in the Consumer Discretionary sector, while Urban Outfitters is in Consumer Cyclical.