Aeropostale: The Clock Is Ticking, Is It On Its Death Throes?

By Jose de la Cruz | Mar 21, 2016 10:08 AM EDT

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Aeropostale has experienced dwindling revenues for 13 straight quarters and it appears that it is losing its war against more sprightly competitors such as H&M, Forever 21 and Zara. Its clock is ticking. Is it experiencing its death throes?

Stocks of the company suffered another round of disappointing results with its stock diving 50 percent on Friday to just 24 cents on the dollar. At present, the clothing company already lost a huge 90 percent of its value during the past two years.

Financial analysts are now openly speculating that the once-famous apparel brand is nearing its demise. The market value of Aeropostale is now under $20 million. It is now considering several strategic alternatives that do not preclude restructuring or even selling the company.

These moves will not be surprisin given the many years that retail sales have been plummeting because more and more customers are not buying into its clothing lines. Investors followed suit leading the clothing retailer to where it is now.

Aeropostale's death spiral signs became noticeable in 2013 when Sycamore Partners, a private equity firm specializing in retail and consumer investments, paid $54 million for approximately 8 percent stake of the company.

Rumors started spreading that Aeropostale would eventually follow Talbots and Hot Topic into the Sycamore stable. But last month, the New York-based Sycamore Partners had to swallow its pride by selling the same shares for only $1.1 million.

However, it is not a total loss for the New York investment firm since it has earned almost $20 million in interest payments connected to a $150 million loan. Therefore should the clothing company be restructured, or file for bankruptcy, Sycamore stands to hold a controlling stake if the retailer's debt is exchanged for equity.

"Being the weakest player in a weak market is a very uncomfortable position...one that could yet lead to the eventual failure of the chain," wrote Hakon Helgesen, a retail analyst at consultancy Conlumino in a report.

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