Wednesday, June 08, 2005

Retailers too Hot to handle for Value Investors

Looks like the value guys are starting to get out of Abercrombie (ANF) and American Eagle (AEOS). They have had a spectacular run up based on pretty solid same store sales increases in the past year. I agree with this comment:

John Buckingham, editor of the top-ranked Prudent Speculator newsletter. "From month to month and quarter to quarter, the 'in' styles can change rapidly, so you've got to stick to a discipline and take some money off the table after a huge gain."

It seems that these two teen age retailers are keeping in front of the trend as best they can. The thing I see though is, ANF especially, is pricing themselves out of the market. Some of their shirts and long pants now cost $70+. Their prices are easily starting to get to the point where a teen needs more then a part time job to afford their clothes. This would be a big problem if teens started to go all out buying a cheaper alternative when they can't afford the real thing.

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