Abercrombie & Fitch Co.'s stock soared 8.55% during intraday trading on Wednesday, following the release of its first quarter fiscal 2026 financial results before the market opened.
The apparel retailer reported adjusted earnings per share of $1.47 for the quarter, surpassing analyst estimates of $1.28, driven by steady demand in the Americas region where sales grew 3%. While net sales of $1.11 billion slightly missed expectations, the company maintained its full-year fiscal 2026 outlook, projecting net sales growth of 3% to 5% and earnings per share in the range of $10.20 to $11.00.
Additional positive factors included the announcement of share repurchase plans totaling approximately $450 million for the full year, with at least $150 million planned for the second quarter, and the company's application for tariff refunds of around $100 million under the IEEPA program. These developments offset concerns about a 10% sales decline in the EMEA region due to softened demand amid the Middle East conflict.