EXHIBIT 99.1

NEWS RELEASE

AMERICAN EAGLE

OUTFITTERS

Reports Preliminary Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2004 Earnings
Fourth Quarter EPS Rise to a Record $1.40 from Continuing Operations

Warrendale, PA, March 2, 2005 - American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (NASDAQ: AEOS) today announced its preliminary consolidated financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended January 29, 2005. As further described below:

• Like many other retailers, the Company is reviewing its accounting practices related to leasing transactions and believes that a restatement of its previously filed annual and quarterly financial statements for certain periods is likely. All results presented in this press release are preliminary and exclude the impact of such review. However, the Company believes that the earnings impact in any given period will not be material.

• Due to the recent disposition of the Bluenotes business, Bluenotes' results of operations are presented as discontinued operations for all periods.

• Due to our upcoming stock split distributable on March 7, 2005, all per share data presented below is on a pre-stock split basis, unless otherwise noted.

In a separate release this morning, the Company announced a February comparable store sales increase of 32.4%. Based on strong February results, the Company is raising its first quarter earnings guidance to a range of $0.52 to $0.54 per share, compared to $0.36 per share from continuing operations last year. The Company's previous first quarter earnings guidance was $0.43 to $0.45 per share.

Fourth Quarter Ended January 29, 2005

• Total sales increased 37.4% to $674.0 million from $490.6 million for the quarter ended January 31, 2004.
• Comparable store sales increased 28.6% when compared to the corresponding period last year.
• Gross profit as a percent to sales increased to 49.0% from 38.5% last year due to an improvement in merchandise margins as well as the leveraging of rent expense.
• Operating income for the quarter increased to $172.2 million, or 25.5% as a percent to sales, from $69.9 million, or 14.2% as a percent to sales last year.
• Income from continuing operations for the quarter increased to $107.2 million, or $1.40 per share on a diluted basis, from income of $43.2 million, or $0.60 per share on a diluted basis last year.
• Loss from discontinued operations for the quarter was $6.0 million, or $0.08 per share on a diluted basis. This amount represents the Bluenotes loss from operations for the quarter as well as the loss recorded on the sale of assets. Loss from discontinued operations was $7.8 million, or $0.11 per share on a diluted basis, for the corresponding period last year.
• Net income for the quarter increased to $101.2 million, or $1.32 per share on a diluted basis, from income of $35.4 million, or $0.49 per share on a diluted basis last year.

Year-to-Date for the Twelve Months Ended January 29, 2005

• Total sales increased 31.1% to $1.881 billion from $1.435 billion for the twelve months ended January 31, 2004.
• Comparable store sales increased 21.4% when compared to the corresponding period last year.
• Gross profit as a percent to sales increased to 46.2% from 37.6% last year due to an improvement in merchandise margins as well as the leveraging of rent expense.
• Operating income for the period increased to $363.8 million, or 19.3% as a percent to sales, from $133.9 million, or 9.3% as a percent to sales last year.
• Income from continuing operations for the year-to-date period increased to $224.9 million, or $2.99 per share on a diluted basis, from income of $83.5 million, or $1.16 per share on a diluted basis last year.
• Loss from discontinued operations for the year-to-date period was $10.9 million, or $0.14 per share on a diluted basis. This amount represents the Bluenotes loss from operations for the year-to-date period as well as the loss recorded on the sale of assets. Loss from discontinued operations was $23.5 million, or $0.33 per share on a diluted basis, for the corresponding period last year.
• Net income for the year-to-date period increased to $214.0 million, or $2.85 per share on a diluted basis, from income of $60.0 million, or $0.83 per share on a diluted basis last year.

* * * *

At 9:00 a.m. EST, on March 2, 2005, the Company's management team will host a conference call to review the financial results. To listen to the call, dial 877-601-0864 at least ten minutes prior to the start of the call. The conference call will also be simultaneously broadcast over the Internet at www.ae.com. A replay will be available beginning March 2nd at 12:00 p.m. EST through March 16th. To listen to the replay, dial 1-800-642-1687 and reference confirmation code #3521324. An audio replay of the conference call will also be available at www.ae.com.

* * * *

Accounting for Lease Transactions

In connection with the views expressed by the Office of the Chief Accountant of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on February 7, 2005 regarding certain lease accounting issues, the Company, like many other retailers, reviewed its lease accounting practices. As a result, the Company determined that its method of accounting for rent holidays and tenant allowances was not in accordance with the views expressed by the SEC regarding generally accepted accounting principles.

Historically, the Company has recognized straight line rent expense for leases beginning on the store opening date. This had the effect of excluding the build-out period of its stores from the calculation of the period over which it expenses rent and recognizes construction allowances. The Company is now changing this practice to include the build-out period in our calculations of rent expense and construction allowance amortization.

Additionally, the Company is changing its classification of construction allowances on its consolidated financial statements to record them as deferred liabilities, which will be amortized as a reduction to rent expense. Furthermore, construction allowances will be presented within operating activities on its consolidated statements of cash flows. Historically, construction allowances have been classified on the Company's consolidated balance sheets as a reduction of property and equipment and the related amortization has been classified as a reduction to depreciation and amortization expense (over the lesser of the useful life or the life of the lease) on the consolidated statements of operations. The Company's consolidated statements of cash flows have historically reflected construction allowances as a reduction of capital expenditures within investing activities.

The Company, in conjunction with its independent auditors, is in the process of completing its review of the above changes. At this time, the Company has not yet reached a final decision as to whether these changes will require a restatement of prior period financial statements, but believes that a restatement of its consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of operations and consolidated statements of cash flows for certain periods is likely. The Company believes that the earnings impact in any given period will not be material. Furthermore, these changes will have no impact on the Company's historical or future net cash flow or the timing of payments under the leases.

* * * *

Common Stock Split

As previously disclosed in our press release dated February 4, 2005, the Company's Board of Directors declared a two-for-one common stock split for shareholders of record at the close of business on February 14, 2005, distributable on March 7, 2005. Pro forma post-split share and per share data is presented in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations for informational purposes only.

* * * *

Financial Statements Reflecting Discontinued Operations

As previously disclosed in our Press Release dated December 21, 2004, we disposed of our Bluenotes retail apparel business with an effective date of December 5, 2004. Accordingly, the Bluenotes results of operations for the three and twelve month periods ended January 29, 2005 and January 31, 2004 are classified as discontinued operations in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.

* * * *

American Eagle Outfitters (NASDAQ: AEOS) is a leading lifestyle retailer that designs, markets, and sells its own brand of relaxed, casual clothing for 15 to 25 year olds, providing high-quality merchandise at affordable prices. AE's collection includes modern basics like jeans, cargo pants, and graphic Ts as well as a stylish assortment of cool accessories, outerwear and footwear. American Eagle Outfitters currently operates 777 AE stores in 49 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and 69 AE stores in Canada. AE also operates via its Web business, www.ae.com, which offers additional sizes and styles of favorite AE merchandise.

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This release contains forward-looking statements, which represent our expectations or beliefs concerning future events, specifically regarding our lease accounting review and first quarter earnings. All forward-looking statements made by the Company involve material risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on factors beyond the Company's control. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the finalization of our lease accounting review and the risk that our first quarter sales, markdowns and/or earnings expectations may not be achieved, and those other risks described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, the Company's future performance and financial results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in any such forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements even if future changes make it clear that projected results expressed or implied will not be realized.

* * * *

AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Dollars in thousands)
			January 29, 2005		January 31, 2004
			(Unaudited)
ASSETS
	Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments	$	589,607	$	337,812
	Merchandise inventory		137,991		120,586
	Other current assets		94,501		67,225
	Total current assets		822,099		525,623
	Property and equipment, net		287,525		278,689
	Goodwill, net		10,136		10,136
	Other assets, net		103,913		50,623
	Total Assets	$	1,223,673	$	865,071
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
	Accounts payable	$	76,344	$	71,330
	Accrued compensation and payroll taxes		36,008		14,409
	Accrued rent		34,242		30,985
	Accrued income and other taxes		33,926		28,669
	Unredeemed stored value cards and gift certificates		32,724		25,785
	Current portion of note payable		-		4,832
	Other current liabilities		19,376		13,025
	Total current liabilities		232,620		189,035
	Note payable		-		13,874
	Other non-current liabilities		20,608		18,492
	Total non-current liabilities		20,608		32,366
	Total stockholders' equity		970,445		643,670
	Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$	1,223,673	$	865,071
	Current Ratio		3.53		2.78

AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)
		Three Months Ended				Twelve Months Ended
		January 29, 2005		January 31, 2004		January 29, 2005		January 31, 2004
		(Unaudited)		(Unaudited)		(Unaudited)
Net sales	$	674,024	$	490,580	$	1,881,241	$	1,435,436
Cost of sales, including certain buying, occupancy and warehousing expenses		343,743		301,850		1,012,148		895,444
Gross profit		330,281		188,730		869,093		539,992
Selling, general and administrative expenses		142,246		105,408		446,503		354,749
Depreciation and amortization		15,867		13,440		58,820		51,355
Operating income		172,168		69,882		363,770		133,888
Other income, net		3,343		469		4,129		2,016
Income before income taxes		175,511		70,351		367,899		135,904
Provision for income taxes		68,273		27,181		143,019		52,418
Income from continuing operations, net of tax		107,238		43,170		224,880		83,486
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income tax benefit		(6,027)		(7,816)		(10,889)		(23,486)
Net income	$	101,211	$	35,354	$	213,991	$	60,000
Basic per share amounts:
Income from continuing operations	$	1.46	$	0.61	$	3.10	$	1.17
Loss from discontinued operations		(0.08)		(0.11)		(0.15)		(0.33)
Net income per basic share	$	1.38	$	0.50	$	2.95	$	0.84
Diluted per share amounts:
Income from continuing operations	$	1.40	$	0.60	$	2.99	$	1.16
Loss from discontinued operations		(0.08)		(0.11)		(0.14)		(0.33)
Net income per diluted share	$	1.32	$	0.49	$	2.85	$	0.83
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic		73,547		71,179		72,575		71,113
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted		76,701		72,251		75,122		72,207
Note: All share and per share data above is presented on a pre-stock split basis. After giving effect to the two-for-one stock split declared on February 4, 2005, and to be distributed on March 7, 2005, share and per share amounts would be as follows:
Basic per share amounts (post-split):
Income from continuing operations	$	0.73	$	0.30	$	1.55	$	0.59
Loss from discontinued operations		(0.04)		(0.05)		(0.08)		(0.17)
Net income per basic share	$	0.69	$	0.25	$	1.47	$	0.42
Diluted per share amounts (post-split):
Income from continuing operations	$	0.70	$	0.30	$	1.50	$	0.58
Loss from discontinued operations		(0.04)		(0.05)		(0.07)		(0.16)
Net income per diluted share	$	0.66	$	0.25	$	1.43	$	0.42
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic (post-split)		147,094		142,358		145,150		142,226
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted (post-split)		153,402		144,502		150,244		144,414
Total gross square footage at end of period:						4,540,095		4,239,497
Store count at end of period:						846		805

   

AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS, INC. QUARTERLY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS UPDATED TO REFLECT DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
Under generally accepted accounting principles, we are required to reclassify previously reported prior period financial statements to reflect the discontinued operations on a basis comparable to the current presentation.  This includes the requirement to reclassify quarterly financial statement information that will be included in our 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K.  We are providing updated Quarterly Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited), which reclassify the Bluenotes results of operations as discontinued operations, in advance of filing our 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K. These updated historical Statements of Operations are being presented for informational purposes only.
		Quarters Ended
		October 30, 2004		July 31, 2004		May 1, 2004
(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)		(Unaudited)		(Unaudited)		(Unaudited)
Net sales	$	479,585	$	395,402	$	332,230
Cost of sales, including certain buying, occupancy and warehousing expenses		247,954		234,273		186,178
Gross profit		231,631		161,129		146,052
Selling, general and administrative expenses		119,567		94,965		89,725
Depreciation and amortization		14,948		14,544		13,461
Operating income		97,116		51,620		42,866
Other income (expense), net		(645)		491		940
Income before income taxes		96,471		52,111		43,806
Provision for income taxes		37,615		20,159		16,972
Income from continuing operations, net of tax		58,856		31,952		26,834
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income tax benefit		(807)		(2,328)		(1,727)
Net income	$	58,049	$	29,624	$	25,107
Basic per share amounts:
Income from continuing operations	$	0.81	$	0.44	$	0.37
Loss from discontinued operations		(0.01)		(0.03)		(0.02)
Net income per basic share	$	0.80	$	0.41	$	0.35
Diluted per share amounts:
Income from continuing operations	$	0.78	$	0.43	$	0.36
Loss from discontinued operations		(0.01)		(0.03)		(0.02)
Net income per diluted share	$	0.77	$	0.40	$	0.34
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic		73,002		72,251		71,506
Weighted average common shares outstanding -diluted		75,785		74,164		73,247
Note: All share and per share data above is presented on a pre-stock split basis. After giving effect to the two-for-one stock split declared on February 4, 2005, and to be distributed on March 7, 2005, share and per share amounts would be as follows:
Basic per share amounts (post-split):
Income from continuing operations	$	0.40	$	0.22	$	0.19
Loss from discontinued operations		-		(0.02)		(0.01)
Net income per basic share	$	0.40	$	0.20	$	0.18
Diluted per share amounts (post-split):
Income from continuing operations	$	0.39	$	0.22	$	0.18
Loss from discontinued operations		(0.01)		(0.02)		(0.01)
Net income per diluted share	$	0.38	$	0.20	$	0.17
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic (post-split)		146,004		144,502		143,012
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted (post-split)		151,570		148,328		146,494

Company Contacts:

Laura Weil

Judy Meehan

724-776-4857