American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (AEO) vs Columbia Sportswear Company (COLM)
A side-by-side comparison of American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. and Columbia Sportswear Company across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of October 5, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
AEO
American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.
$18.14Consumer CyclicalDelayed quote: Oct 6, 2026, 10:45 AM EDT
COLM
Columbia Sportswear Company
$57.03Consumer CyclicalDelayed quote: Oct 6, 2026, 10:45 AM EDT
Total return — AEO vs COLM
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yAEO +34.6% (+3.0%/yr)COLM +11.3% (+1.1%/yr)AEO compounded faster over this window
AEO COLM
AEO vs COLM: by the numbers
- •AEO is the larger company ($3.04B vs $2.92B market cap).
- •AEO trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (9.26 vs 14.81 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •COLM converts more revenue to profit (6.05% vs 5.91% net margin).
- •AEO grew revenue faster over the past five years (4.59% vs 3.93% CAGR).
- •AEO pays the higher dividend yield (2.76% vs 2.11%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | AEO | COLM |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 9.26 | 14.81 |
| Forward P/E | 8.32 | 12.51 |
| PEG ratio | N/A | 1.00 |
| P/S ratio | 0.53 | 0.86 |
| P/B ratio | 1.72 | 1.82 |
| EV / EBITDA | 6.49 | 8.85 |
| FCF yield | N/A | 11.02% |
Profitability
| Metric | AEO | COLM |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 37.23% | 52.02% |
| Operating margin | 9.34% | 7.78% |
| Net margin | 5.91% | 6.05% |
| ROE | 19.10% | 12.86% |
| ROIC | 11.65% | 9.69% |
Dividends
| Metric | AEO | COLM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.76% | 2.11% |
| Payout ratio | 25.51% | 31.17% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AEO | COLM |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 4.59% | 3.93% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | N/A | 14.73% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | N/A | -4.62% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -3.29% | -7.99% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, AEO or COLM?
- AEO has the lower trailing P/E: AEO trades at 9.26 and COLM at 14.81. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, AEO or COLM?
- Over the past five years, AEO grew revenue faster — AEO at a 4.59% CAGR versus COLM at 3.93%.
- Does AEO or COLM pay a bigger dividend?
- AEO yields 2.76% and COLM yields 2.11% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is AEO or COLM more profitable?
- COLM runs the higher net margin — AEO at 5.91% versus COLM at 6.05%.
- How have AEO and COLM total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, AEO delivered 3.28% and COLM delivered 1.36% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
American Eagle Outfitters P/E ratioColumbia Sportswear P/E ratioAmerican Eagle Outfitters dividend yieldColumbia Sportswear dividend yieldAmerican Eagle Outfitters ROEColumbia Sportswear ROEAmerican Eagle Outfitters operating marginColumbia Sportswear operating marginAmerican Eagle Outfitters revenue growthColumbia Sportswear revenue growthAmerican Eagle Outfitters free cash flowColumbia Sportswear free cash flow
American Eagle Outfitters & Columbia Sportswear appear in these rankings
Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified October 5, 2026.