Updates shares, adds executive comments in paragraph 9, analyst comments in paragraphs 10-11

By Neil J Kanatt

May 27 (Reuters) - Abercrombie & Fitch ANF.N beat first-quarter profit estimates as steady domestic demand offset weakness due to the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, sending the apparel retailer’s shares up 12% in early trading on Wednesday.

The company flagged some weakness in its Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) segment, but stuck to its full-year forecast.

Abercrombie, which positions itself between premium and mass market, and offers aspirational apparel at accessible prices, retained its base of affluent customers who spend freely at a time macroeconomic uncertainties worry lower-income households.

The company said it has applied for refunds of around $100 million it had paid as U.S. import tariffs, following a Supreme Court ruling against the duties.

It now expects a roughly 20 basis point annual impact from tariffs, down from its prior forecast of 70 basis points.

Abercrombie reported quarterly adjusted net income per share of $1.47, above analysts' expectation of $1.28. A 2% rise in net sales to $1.1 billion for the three months ended May 2 broadly met average estimates, according to data compiled by LSEG.

The New Albany, Ohio-based company said sales jumped 24% in its Asia Pacific segment, but declined 10% in EMEA — its second-largest by revenue. Sales at Americas, its leading geography, grew 3%.

It had warned of a "slight sales hit" from the Middle East conflict in March.

CEO Fran Horowitz said consumers were "showing up" and Abercrombie was positioned well with two healthy brands. "We're not seeing any change in performance across cohorts," she added on a post-earnings call.

Analysts looked at the results and the maintained outlook, despite a choppy macroeconomic and geopolitical backdrop, as a boost to confidence in the medium term.

However, Consumer Edge analyst Michael Gunther cautioned that a resurgence in student loan defaults could weigh on Abercrombie, which relies more heavily than its peers on young, debt-burdened consumers.