Governor Tom Corbett announced that American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. will invest more than $160 million to construct a new direct-to-consumer distribution center that is expected to result in 369 new jobs coming to Luzerne County. American Eagle Outfitters is planning to construct a new, one million-square-foot, direct-to-consumer distribution center on a 120-acre site at Humboldt Industrial Park in Hazle Township. The project is expected to generate a total capital investment in excess of $160 million in real estate, construction, equipment and storm water infrastructure related costs. The new distribution center is projected to create 369 new jobs, construction jobs and an additional 600 part-time jobs during peak seasons, in the next four years. The company received a funding offer from the Department of Community and Economic Development including a $400,000 Pennsylvania First Program grant and $166,050 Guaranteed Free Training grant which will be used for training its new workforce at the project site. The project is located in an existing Keystone Opportunity Zone which expires in 2019. The project was coordinated by the Governor's Action Team, or GAT, a group of economic development professionals who work directly with businesses that are considering locating or expanding in Pennsylvania, in collaboration with the CAN DO Inc., a private, non-profit industrial/economic development corporation serving the Greater Hazleton area.

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. reported unaudited consolidated earnings results for the first quarter ended May 4, 2013. For the period, the company reported net income of $27,976,000 or $0.14 diluted earnings per share on total net revenue of $679,477,000 against net income of $39,697,000 or $0.20 diluted earnings per share on total net revenue of $708,695,000 a year ago. Operating income was $45,817,000 and income before income taxes was $45,135,000 against operating income of $64,308,000 and income before income taxes of $67,815,000 a year ago. Income from continuing operations was $27,976,000 or $0.14 diluted earnings per share against $44,035,000 or $0.22 diluted earnings per share a year ago. Net cash used for operating activities from continuing operations was $38,684,000, capital expenditures for property and equipment was $45,657,000 and acquisition of intangible assets was $295,000 against net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations of $18,324,000, capital expenditures for property and equipment was $24,054,000 and acquisition of intangible assets was $220,000 a year ago. First quarter results reflected a tough macro-environment as well as cooler weather causing soft demand for seasonal merchandise, all against warmer-than-normal weather and a strong performance last year. Adjusted EPS of $0.18 compared to $0.22 last year, an 18% decrease. For the second quarter, the company expects EPS of $0.19 to $0.21 per diluted share, based on flat comparable sales. For fiscal 2013, the company continues to expect capital expenditures of $250 million to $280 million. EPS guidance is $1.42 to $1.45, based on second half comparable sales growth in the low-single digits.

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc., Q1 2013 Earnings Call, May 22, 2013