Question-and-Answer Session
Operator
(Operator Instructions) Our first question comes from the line of Brian Tunick with J.P. Morgan. Please proceed with your question.
Brian Tunick - J.P. Morgan
Thanks. I guess a question for Susan. The entire juniors category has been really struggling now for over a year, so just curious -- do you think is it mostly the victim of success over the past couple of years have been very strong or just lack of newness? Can you just maybe address what you think is happening out there?
Susan P. McGalla
Sure, Brian. First of all, we are very realistic that the overall environment is difficult and I certainly wouldn’t want to venture to forecast specifically on external factors. We are very aware of them and we are running a very disciplined, somewhat conservative inventory model until we see that open up.
But I would tell you that I think that our best efforts can be focused internally on what we are doing with our assortments and we are pleased with many aspects and we have some things that are showing improvement. Women’s tops are showing improvement, men’s strength -- I continue to be really so proud of that team as they continue to do a great job and continue to innovate.
So we just really I think underscored with everything, need to focus on our own business, do the things that I talked to you about in my prepared remarks, and we feel very, very encouraged by the future and long-term of the AE brand.
Operator
Our next question comes from the line of Michelle Clark with Morgan Stanley. Please proceed with your question.
Michelle Clark - Morgan Stanley
Good morning. Can you give us a sense of how EPS dilutive MARTIN + OSA was in the fourth quarter and what we should anticipate for fiscal year ’08?
Joan Hilson
Sure, Michelle. EPS in the fourth quarter actually came in at the better end of our range. It was a $0.15 loss. As we look forward to 2008, we expect the loss from MARTIN + OSA to be less than 2007 and we -- before we talk about specific items throughout the year, we need to give the first quarter a chance to evolve here and then we’ll come back to you and more specific throughout the year.
Michelle Clark - Morgan Stanley
Great. Thank you.
Operator
Our next question comes from the line of Liz Dunn with Thomas Weisel Partners. Please proceed with your question.
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