ULTA

Never miss an important update on your stock portfolio and cut through the noise. Over 7 million investors trust Simply Wall St to stay informed where it matters for FREE. Ulta Beauty stock has fallen away from its recent highs and is now trading at a level where the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) intrinsic value estimate points to meaningful upside, while the broader valuation checks suggest only a mixed picture rather than a clear bargain. Over the past 5 years, Ulta Beauty has delivered a total return of 37.6%, which puts the recent share price weakness into the context of a longer period of positive performance. Inflation pressures on core customers and the unwind of the Target partnership can weigh on sentiment, while Ulta Beauty’s push into international expansion and new brand partnerships may support future cash flow expectations that underpin valuation. On Simply Wall St’s broader checks, Ulta Beauty screens as mixed value, with the stock passing 4 of 6 valuation tests. This means the company looks neither clearly cheap nor clearly expensive overall. See the full breakdown on 4/6 valuation checks. For investors, the debate is whether the current discount to intrinsic value is sufficient compensation for the business risks now in focus around Ulta Beauty. Find out why Ulta Beauty's -3.4% return over the last year is lagging behind its peers. The Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model estimates what Ulta Beauty is worth today based on its projected future cash flows. The company generated about $1.1b in free cash flow over the latest twelve months. The model assumes these cash flows continue growing rather than shrinking and then discounts them back to today using a 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity approach. On these inputs, the DCF points to an intrinsic value of about $566 per share, which is above the current share price and indicates the stock is 18.5% undervalued. The recent 52 week low, along with concerns around inflation pressures and the Target partnership ending, may help explain why the market price sits below what the cash flow projections support. For investors, a key consideration is whether Ulta Beauty can sustain and expand those cash flows through its standalone store expansion and new partnerships. Overall, the DCF workup indicates that Ulta Beauty stock currently appears undervalued relative to its estimated intrinsic value. Our Discounted Ca...

A month has gone by since the last earnings report for Ulta Beauty (ULTA). Shares have lost about 3.5% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500. Will the recent negative trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Ulta due for a breakout? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at its most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important catalysts. Ulta Beauty reported first-quarter fiscal 2026 results, wherein both earnings and revenues surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The company delivered double-digit sales and earnings growth, driven by broad-based strength across channels and product categories, along with contributions from the Space NK acquisition. The beauty retailer reported first-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings per share of $7.74, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6.90. The bottom line increased 15.5% from the year-ago quarter’s reported figure of $6.70. Net sales rose 11.1% year over year to $3,163.9 million and surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3,113 million. Growth was primarily driven by higher comparable sales, contributions from the Space NK acquisition and sales from new stores. Comparable sales increased 5.3%, supported by a 3.7% rise in average ticket and a 1.6% jump in transactions. Ulta Beauty’s gross profit increased 13.8% year over year to $1,267.6 million. Gross margin expanded 100 basis points to 40.1% from 39.1%, primarily due to lower inventory shrink and higher merchandise margin. Improvements in inventory productivity and favorable category mix also aided profitability. Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses increased 14.6% to $814.7 million from $710.6 million reported in the prior-year quarter. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A expenses rose to 25.8% from 24.9%. The increase was primarily due to the acquisition of Space NK, strategic enterprise investments and higher store-related expenses, partially offset by leverage in advertising expenses. Operating income surged 11.6% to $448.3 million from $401.8 million in the year-ago quarter. As a percentage of net sales, operating income improved slightly to 14.2% from 14.1% in the prior-year period. Performance was broad-based across all major categories in the quarter. Fragrance remained the strongest category, delivering high-teens comparable sal...

For the quarter ended April 2026, Ulta Beauty (ULTA) reported revenue of $3.16 billion, up 11.1% over the same period last year. EPS came in at $7.74, compared to $6.70 in the year-ago quarter. The reported revenue compares to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.11 billion, representing a surprise of +1.64%. The company delivered an EPS surprise of +12.2%, with the consensus EPS estimate being $6.90. While investors scrutinize revenue and earnings changes year-over-year and how they compare with Wall Street expectations to determine their next move, some key metrics always offer a more accurate picture of a company's financial health. As these metrics influence top- and bottom-line performance, comparing them to the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated helps investors project a stock's price performance more accurately. Here is how Ulta performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts: Comparable sales - YoY change: 5.3% versus the eight-analyst average estimate of 4.3%. Total stores open at end of the quarter: 1,521 compared to the 1,517 average estimate based on six analysts. Number of stores opened during the quarter: 18 versus the five-analyst average estimate of 13. Net Sales by Primary Category - Other: 2% versus the two-analyst average estimate of 2%. Net Sales by Primary Category - Fragrance: 12% versus the two-analyst average estimate of 11%. Net Sales by Primary Category - Haircare: 18% versus the two-analyst average estimate of 18%. Net Sales by Primary Category - Cosmetics: 40% versus the two-analyst average estimate of 39.2%. Net Sales by Primary Category - Services: 4% compared to the 3.8% average estimate based on two analysts. View all Key Company Metrics for Ulta here>>> Shares of Ulta have returned -3.3% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +5.3% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating that it could perform in line with the broader market in the near term. (We are reissuing this article to correct a mistake. The original article, issued on June 2, 2026, should no longer be relied upon.) Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Ulta Beauty Inc. (ULTA) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally p...

Ulta Beauty, Inc.'s ULTA omnichannel strategy is a key contributor to first-quarter fiscal 2026 performance. The company reported a 5.3% increase in comparable sales, supported by broad-based growth across all channels. E-commerce was a notable driver, delivering mid-teens sales growth in the quarter, while physical stores also contributed with low single-digit growth. Management emphasized that the balanced performance across digital and store channels underscores the strength of its omnichannel approach. To enhance the digital guest experience, Ulta Beauty expanded its same-day delivery options through Uber Eats and introduced Buy Now, Pay Later functionality via Klarna. A significant strategic milestone was the launch of a TikTok Shop, featuring exclusive brands and a shoppable live stream that garnered over 5 million impressions. This initiative is designed to position Ulta Beauty at a critical discovery point for younger consumers. Furthermore, the company is leveraging AI through the introduction of an online shopping agent, Ulta AI, and integration with Google’s Gemini to enable agentic commerce. Physical stores remain a cornerstone of the strategy, with 16 net new stores opened during the quarter. These locations were supported by major promotional events like 21+ Days of Beauty, and the company announced a new highly experiential Times Square flagship slated to open in late 2027 to further drive brand awareness. The omnichannel ecosystem is unified by the Ulta Beauty Rewards program, which grew 4% year-over-year to nearly 47 million members. By utilizing this vast first-party data, Ulta Beauty is enhancing personalization to predict replenishment needs and maximize cart conversions. Management emphasized that this integrated approach allows guests to browse, buy, and fulfill purchases in the way that best fits their lifestyles. Overall, Ulta Beauty’s integrated omnichannel ecosystem, powered by AI, personalization and loyalty, positions the company to drive sustained customer engagement and growth. The company’s shares have lost 0.9% in the past year compared with the industry’s 4.7% decline. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research From a valuation standpoint, ULTA trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 15.64, higher than the industry’s average of 14.66. ULTA currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Image Source: Zacks Investment Research T...

Ulta Beauty’s first quarter results for 2026 saw revenue and earnings per share come in above Wall Street expectations. Management attributed the quarter’s performance to broad-based sales strength across both in-store and digital channels, with particularly strong growth in fragrance and prestige categories. CEO Kecia Steelman emphasized the impact of in-store events, exclusive brand launches, and data-driven loyalty initiatives. Steelman also noted, “Our core U.S. business is fundamentally strong and delivering healthy sales growth,” while highlighting that consumer demand remains healthy but value-focused against a backdrop of inflationary pressures and rising fuel costs. Is now the time to buy ULTA? Find out in our full research report (it’s free). Revenue: $3.16 billion vs analyst estimates of $3.12 billion (11.1% year-on-year growth, 1.5% beat) EPS (GAAP): $7.74 vs analyst estimates of $6.91 (12.1% beat) EPS (GAAP) guidance for the full year is $28.30 at the midpoint, missing analyst estimates by 1.2% Operating Margin: 14.2%, in line with the same quarter last year Locations: 1,608 at quarter end, up from 1,451 in the same quarter last year Same-Store Sales rose 5.3% year on year (2.9% in the same quarter last year) Market Capitalization: $19.9 billion While we enjoy listening to the management’s commentary, our favorite part of earnings calls is the analyst questions. Those are unscripted and can often highlight topics that management teams would rather avoid or topics where the answer is complicated. Here is what has caught our attention. Adrienne Yih-Tennant (Barclays): Asked which categories are seeing the best return on marketing and SG&A investments. CEO Kecia Steelman pointed to fragrance and exclusive Ignite brands, highlighting balanced performance and ongoing focus on value-driven promotions. Simeon Gutman (Morgan Stanley): Asked if the April comp sales exit rate is sustainable and about SG&A flexibility. CFO Christopher DelOrefice stressed a planned step-down in SG&A growth later in the year and balanced leverage between investment and cost controls. Dana Telsey (Telsey Group): Inquired about traffic trends and upcoming events. Steelman described efforts to boost in-store engagement through events and loyalty, while DelOrefice outlined a balanced profit profile, with gross margin gains in the first half and SG&A leverage in the second half....

Beauty is subjective, but it’s hard to paint a pretty picture about Ulta Beauty stock after its recent quarter. Ulta has been a long-term winner, more than doubling its shares since the pandemic through its highs in February. Investors are concerned that guidance implies earnings per share growth and that improved margins, based in part on reduced ‘shrink,’ or industry-speak for theft, isn’t sustainable.

Ulta Beauty, Inc. ULTA reported first-quarter fiscal 2026 results, wherein both earnings and revenues surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The company delivered double-digit sales and earnings growth, driven by broad-based strength across channels and product categories, along with contributions from the Space NK acquisition.The beauty retailer reported first-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings per share of $7.74, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6.90. The bottom line increased 15.5% from the year-ago quarter’s reported figure of $6.70.Net sales rose 11.1% year over year to $3,163.9 million and surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3,113 million. Growth was primarily driven by higher comparable sales, contributions from the Space NK acquisition and sales from new stores. Comparable sales increased 5.3%, supported by a 3.7% rise in average ticket and a 1.6% jump in transactions. Ulta Beauty Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Ulta Beauty Inc. Quote Ulta Beauty’s gross profit increased 13.8% year over year to $1,267.6 million. Gross margin expanded 100 basis points to 40.1% from 39.1%, primarily due to lower inventory shrink and higher merchandise margin. Improvements in inventory productivity and favorable category mix also aided profitability.Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses increased 14.6% to $814.7 million from $710.6 million reported in the prior-year quarter. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A expenses rose to 25.8% from 24.9%. The increase was primarily due to the acquisition of Space NK, strategic enterprise investments and higher store-related expenses, partially offset by leverage in advertising expenses.Operating income surged 11.6% to $448.3 million from $401.8 million in the year-ago quarter. As a percentage of net sales, operating income improved slightly to 14.2% from 14.1% in the prior-year period. Performance was broad-based across all major categories in the quarter. Fragrance remained the strongest category, delivering high-teens comparable sales growth, driven by newness from luxury brands such as YSL, Carolina Herrera, Valentino and Balmain, as well as innovation from exclusive fragrance brand NOYZ.Haircare generated high-single-digit comparable growth, supported by strength in prestige haircare, new and exclusive brands, and healthy demand for hair-treatment products.Makeup posted low-single-digit compara...

Ulta Beauty's (ULTA) limited guidance flow-through from its $0.85 earnings per share beat, along wit

Interested in Ulta Beauty Inc.? Here are five stocks we like better. Ulta Beauty posted strong Q1 results, with net sales up 11.1% to $3.2 billion and diluted EPS rising 15.5% to $7.74. Comparable sales increased 5.3%, helped by both higher ticket and more transactions. Growth was broad-based across channels and categories, led by strength in fragrance, haircare, makeup, skincare, wellness and services. Management said e-commerce grew in the mid-teens, while stores also contributed, and the company continues to gain share in prestige beauty. Margins and guidance improved as lower shrink boosted gross margin by 100 basis points to 40.1%, prompting Ulta to raise full-year EPS and operating profit outlooks. The company kept its sales guidance unchanged and plans to lift share repurchases to $1.5 billion. Ulta Beauty and an Ultimate Entry: Price Resets After Profit Miss Ulta Beauty (NASDAQ:ULTA) reported double-digit sales and earnings growth in the first quarter of fiscal 2026, with management citing broad-based gains across channels and major merchandise categories, stronger gross margin and continued traction from strategic initiatives including international expansion, marketplace, wellness and retail media. Chief Executive Officer Kecia Steelman said the company entered the year focused on continuing progress after meeting its fiscal 2025 goals while optimizing the business “with financial discipline to deliver profitable growth.” She said Ulta Beauty’s core U.S. business remains “fundamentally strong,” and that newer growth initiatives are contributing to results. → Palantir’s Drone Tailwind Puts Its Defense AI Story Back in Focus for Investors 3 Retailers at 52-Week Highs With More Room to Run For the quarter, net sales rose 11.1% to $3.2 billion from $2.8 billion a year earlier. Comparable sales increased 5.3%, driven by a 3.7% increase in average ticket and a 1.6% rise in transactions. Diluted earnings per share increased 15.5% to $7.74. Chief Financial Officer Chris DelOrefice said total sales growth, excluding the impact of Space NK, was in the high single-digit range. Ulta Beauty opened 16 net new Ulta Beauty stores and one new Space NK store during the quarter. Other revenue rose $6 million to $62 million, primarily due to higher income from the company’s credit card program and commissions from UB Marketplace, partially offset by lower royalty inco...

Ulta Beauty (ULTA) reported fiscal Q1 earnings late Tuesday of $7.74 per diluted share, up from $6.7

Interested in Ulta Beauty Inc.? Here are five stocks we like better. Ulta delivered a strong Q1 with net sales up 11.1% to $3.2 billion, comparable sales rising 5.3%, and diluted EPS climbing 15.5% to $7.74. Growth was supported by both stores and e-commerce, with fragrance once again the standout category. Margins improved meaningfully, as gross margin rose 100 basis points to 40.1% thanks to lower shrink and better merchandise margin. Operating profit and net income both increased 11.6%, showing stronger profitability even as the company kept investing in growth initiatives. Ulta kept its sales outlook unchanged but raised profit guidance, now expecting full-year EPS of $28.36 to $28.80 and operating profit growth of 6.5% to 9%. Management also highlighted continued expansion in TikTok Shop, marketplace, wellness, loyalty and AI-driven personalization, while maintaining a disciplined capital return plan. Ulta Beauty and an Ultimate Entry: Price Resets After Profit Miss Ulta Beauty (NASDAQ:ULTA) reported a strong start to fiscal 2026, with management citing broad-based sales growth across channels and categories, improved gross margin and continued progress on strategic initiatives including international expansion, marketplace, wellness, media and artificial intelligence. On the company’s first-quarter earnings call, President and Chief Executive Officer Kecia Steelman said Ulta entered the year focused on maintaining momentum while “optimizing our model with financial discipline to deliver profitable growth.” She said the company’s U.S. business remains “fundamentally strong,” while newer businesses are gaining traction and contributing to results. → Best Buy’s AI Laptop Boost Sparks Hope for a BBY Turnaround 3 Retailers at 52-Week Highs With More Room to Run For the quarter, Ulta reported net sales growth of 11.1% to $3.2 billion, compared with $2.8 billion a year earlier. Comparable sales rose 5.3%, driven by a 3.7% increase in average ticket and a 1.6% increase in transactions. Diluted earnings per share increased 15.5% to $7.74. Chief Financial Officer Chris DelOrefice said total sales growth, excluding the impact of Space NK, was in the high single-digit range. During the quarter, Ulta opened 16 net new Ulta Beauty stores and one new Space NK store. → 3 Up-and-Coming Stocks That Could Be the Next NVIDIA 3 Stocks Most Likely to Split in 2026 Both stor...

Ulta Beauty (ULTA) came out with quarterly earnings of $7.74 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6.9 per share. This compares to earnings of $6.7 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items. This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +12.20%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this beauty products retailer would post earnings of $8 per share when it actually produced earnings of $8.01, delivering a surprise of +0.13%. Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates four times. Ulta, which belongs to the Zacks Retail - Miscellaneous industry, posted revenues of $3.16 billion for the quarter ended April 2026, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.64%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $2.85 billion. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates four times over the last four quarters. The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call. Ulta shares have lost about 17.2% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 11%. While Ulta has underperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock? There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately. Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions. Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Ulta was mixed. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. It wi...