RL vs AEO: which was the better investment?
Ralph Lauren Corporation against American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Jun 12, 1997 to Jul 15, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did RL beat AEO?
No — measured from Jun 12, 1997 to Jul 15, 2026 with dividends reinvested, AEO came out ahead: $464,651 versus $158,253 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 14.1% annual return against 10.0%.
What would $10,000 in RL be worth today?
$10,000 invested in Ralph Lauren Corporation (RL) on Jun 12, 1997 would be worth about $158,253 as of Jul 15, 2026, a total return of 1482.5% (10.0% per year). The same $10,000 in AEO would be worth $464,651.
Which was riskier — RL or AEO?
RL swung with an annualized volatility of 39.3% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -68.6%; AEO ran at 51.9% volatility with a -79.4% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.20 for RL vs 0.23 for AEO.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Jun 12, 1997 through Jul 15, 2026 — the full period where both assets have price history. Adjusted prices include dividends and splits, so these are total returns. The page refreshes with new market data every day.
Can I change the dates, amounts, or add monthly investing?
Yes — the interactive tool on this page is pre-loaded with RL vs AEO. You can set any start and end date, change the starting amount, add monthly contributions, or build a multi-asset portfolio and compare it against any benchmark.