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Ulta Beauty (ULTA)
NASDAQ:ULTA
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Ulta Beauty (ULTA) AI Stock Analysis

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ULTA

Ulta Beauty

(NASDAQ:ULTA)

Rating:78Outperform
Price Target:
$589.00
▲(11.24% Upside)
Ulta Beauty's strong financial performance and positive earnings call sentiment are the primary drivers of its overall score. Technical analysis supports a stable outlook, while valuation is reasonable but lacks a dividend yield. The company's cautious guidance and global trade uncertainties are notable risks.
Positive Factors
Competitive Advantage
ULTA's ability to know more about its consumers than the brands themselves, thanks to its loyalty program, is a significant advantage.
Earnings Growth
Management is expected to raise F25 EPS guidance based on comps of +1-2%, which indicates confidence in future performance.
Market Position
Ulta Beauty is well positioned with rebounding market share, stabilizing margins, and new management.
Negative Factors
Competitive Pressure
WMT is expanding into the beauty arena, adding over 60 brands and launching their own shop-in-shop pilot, positioning itself as a competitor to ULTA.
Partnership Challenges
There could be near-term headwinds in profitability as the Ulta-Target partnership winds down.
Revenue Decline
ULTA's 'Other Revenue' from TGT has declined for three straight quarters, with average sales per location declining for four straight quarters.

Ulta Beauty (ULTA) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Ulta Beauty Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionUlta Beauty, Inc. is a leading beauty retailer in the United States, offering a wide range of cosmetics, skincare, haircare, and fragrance products. The company operates a multi-channel business model, featuring both brick-and-mortar stores and an online shopping platform. Ulta Beauty provides a diverse selection of products from various brands, including high-end and drugstore cosmetics, as well as its proprietary brand, Ulta Beauty Collection. In addition to retail, Ulta Beauty also offers salon services in-store, enhancing the customer experience and positioning itself as a one-stop destination for beauty needs.
How the Company Makes MoneyUlta Beauty generates revenue through several key streams. The primary source of income comes from the sale of beauty products, which includes both third-party brands and its own private label products. The company’s extensive product range, including makeup, skincare, and haircare, attracts a wide customer base. Additionally, Ulta Beauty earns revenue from in-store salon services, such as haircuts, color treatments, and skincare services. Another significant revenue stream comes from its loyalty program, Ultamate Rewards, which encourages repeat purchases by offering points that can be redeemed for discounts and exclusive offers. Furthermore, strategic partnerships with major beauty brands and collaborations on exclusive product lines contribute to its earnings. The company's e-commerce platform also plays a crucial role, particularly as online shopping continues to grow in popularity, allowing Ulta Beauty to reach a broader audience and increase sales.

Ulta Beauty Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Store Count
Store Count
Indicates the total number of retail locations, highlighting the company's physical footprint and expansion strategy. A growing store count can signal market penetration and revenue growth potential.
Chart InsightsUlta Beauty's store count has been steadily increasing, with a notable expansion in 2024, adding 60 net new stores and planning further international growth into Mexico and the Middle East in 2025. Despite this expansion, the company faces challenges with decreased sales and market share loss in the beauty category due to increased competition. Strategic investments in brand building and digital acceleration under the 'Ulta Beauty Unleashed' plan aim to counter these challenges, though they may pressure profitability in the short term.
Data provided by:Main Street Data

Ulta Beauty Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:May 30, 2025
(Q1-2025)
|
% Change Since: 12.31%|
Next Earnings Date:Aug 28, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call highlighted Ulta Beauty's strong start to fiscal 2025, with notable financial performance, market share gains, and digital advancements. However, caution was expressed regarding potential challenges in the second half of the year, particularly due to global trade uncertainties and slower growth in certain categories.
Q1-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Financial Performance
Net sales increased 4.5% to $2.8 billion for the first quarter of fiscal 2025. Operating profit was 14.1% of sales, and diluted earnings per share was $6.70.
Market Share Gains
Ulta Beauty achieved market share gains during the quarter, driven by improved execution, exciting new and exclusive brand launches, and evolved promotional plans.
Growth in Fragrance and Skincare
Fragrance was the strongest performing category, delivering double-digit growth. Skincare and wellness category increased in the high single-digit range.
Digital and Personalization Enhancements
Ulta Beauty expanded automation and real-time content delivery across key digital channels, leading to stronger engagement and increased relevance.
Expansion of Active Loyalty Member Base
The active loyalty member base expanded to a record 45 million, up 3% year over year, driving higher engagement and record social impressions.
Negative Updates
Slower Growth in Hair Care and Makeup
The hair care category was roughly flat for the quarter, and comp sales in the makeup category decreased slightly, driven by mass makeup.
Cautious Guidance for Fiscal 2025
Ulta Beauty's guidance for fiscal 2025 reflects a cautious approach with comp sales growth expected in the range of flat to up 1.5%, considering uncertainty in the second half of the year.
Challenges in Global Trade and Tariffs
The evolving global trade landscape has created uncertainty related to consumer wallet pressures and potential impacts from higher tariffs.
Company Guidance
During Ulta Beauty, Inc.'s first quarter 2025 earnings call, the company reported a 4.5% increase in net sales reaching $2.8 billion, with an operating profit of 14.1% of sales and diluted earnings per share of $6.70. Key performance indicators such as member growth, brand engagement, and app engagement showed improvement, contributing to market share gains. The company expanded its active loyalty member base to 45 million, a 3% year-over-year increase. Ulta also experienced double-digit growth in the fragrance category, and high single-digit growth in skincare and wellness. E-commerce sales rose by about 10%, while stores delivered low single-digit growth. Despite challenges, the company maintained a cautious outlook for the year, expecting net sales between $11.5 billion and $11.7 billion, with comp sales growth in the range of flat to up 1.5%. The guidance reflects potential uncertainties in the second half of the year due to evolving global trade dynamics and consumer pressures.

Ulta Beauty Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Ulta Beauty demonstrates robust financial health with consistent revenue growth, strong profitability, effective leverage management, and excellent cash flow generation. The income statement and cash flow are particularly strong, though there is room for improvement in equity strength.
Income Statement
88
Very Positive
Ulta Beauty's income statement shows strong performance with consistent revenue growth and solid profitability metrics. The TTM revenue growth rate is robust at 1.08%, indicating steady expansion. Gross profit margin is healthy at 38.81%, and net profit margin at 10.45% demonstrates efficient cost management. Both EBIT and EBITDA margins are strong, at 13.71% and 16.23% respectively, reflecting operational efficiency.
Balance Sheet
80
Positive
The balance sheet reveals a solid financial position with a manageable debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81, indicating balanced leverage. ROE is impressive at 49.10%, showcasing effective use of equity to generate profits. The equity ratio of 40.59% signifies a stable asset base funded by equity, though there's room for improvement in strengthening equity further.
Cash Flow
85
Very Positive
Cash flow analysis indicates a strong cash-generating capability. The free cash flow growth rate is notable at 7.56%, reflecting improved cash generation. Operating cash flow to net income ratio is 1.17, showing efficient conversion of income to cash. The free cash flow to net income ratio at 0.87 suggests healthy cash retention relative to earnings.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue11.42B11.30B11.21B10.21B8.63B6.15B
Gross Profit4.43B4.39B4.38B4.04B3.37B1.95B
EBITDA1.85B1.85B1.94B1.88B1.57B534.59M
Net Income1.19B1.20B1.29B1.24B985.84M175.84M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets5.99B6.00B5.71B5.37B4.76B5.09B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments454.63M703.20M766.59M737.88M431.56M1.05B
Total Debt1.98B1.92B1.91B1.90B1.85B1.90B
Total Liabilities3.56B3.51B3.43B3.41B3.23B3.09B
Stockholders Equity2.43B2.49B2.28B1.96B1.54B2.00B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow1.04B964.15M1.04B1.17B887.08M658.49M
Operating Cash Flow1.40B1.34B1.48B1.48B1.06B810.36M
Investing Cash Flow-375.88M-383.09M-441.43M-314.58M-176.48M-48.75M
Financing Cash Flow-1.09B-1.02B-1.01B-861.01M-1.50B-107.93M

Ulta Beauty Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price529.50
Price Trends
50DMA
493.54
Positive
100DMA
447.24
Positive
200DMA
417.39
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
8.50
Positive
RSI
63.72
Neutral
STOCH
67.04
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For ULTA, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 529.5 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 515.66, above the 50-day MA of 493.54, and above the 200-day MA of 417.39, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 8.50 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 63.72 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 67.04 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for ULTA.

Ulta Beauty Risk Analysis

Ulta Beauty disclosed 28 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Ulta Beauty reported the most risks in the "Ability to Sell" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Ulta Beauty Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
78
Outperform
$23.80B20.6850.44%1.06%-0.29%
77
Outperform
$45.34B21.9342.63%1.13%3.05%-10.82%
72
Outperform
$1.34B7.3128.94%-0.38%35.78%
72
Outperform
$16.43B44.3276.24%7.64%369.79%
65
Neutral
$6.21B50.11-39.97%2.38%-38.88%
65
Neutral
$6.58B8.31-52.83%2.57%-0.93%-4.07%
61
Neutral
$17.70B12.60-3.90%3.04%1.52%-15.30%
* Consumer Cyclical Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
ULTA
Ulta Beauty
529.50
154.52
41.21%
EBAY
eBay
99.22
41.24
71.13%
BBWI
Bath & Body Works
31.09
-3.17
-9.25%
SBH
Sally Beauty
13.57
0.47
3.59%
ETSY
Etsy
62.66
7.50
13.60%
CHWY
Chewy
39.57
13.76
53.31%

Ulta Beauty Corporate Events

Executive/Board ChangesBusiness Operations and Strategy
Ulta Beauty Expands Board with New Appointments
Positive
Aug 21, 2025

On August 20, 2025, Ulta Beauty‘s Board of Directors expanded from ten to twelve members, appointing Martin Brok and Stephenie Landry as independent directors, effective September 1, 2025. These appointments, announced on August 21, 2025, bring significant expertise to Ulta Beauty, with Brok’s extensive experience in global consumer brands and retail innovation, and Landry’s background in consumer technology and strategic transformation. This strategic move is expected to enhance Ulta Beauty’s growth trajectory and strengthen its market position, as the company continues to diversify its board with 67% women and 33% racially diverse members.

Business Operations and Strategy
Ulta Beauty and Target to End Partnership
Neutral
Aug 14, 2025

On August 14, 2025, Ulta Beauty and Target Corporation announced their decision not to renew the Ulta Beauty at Target shop-in-shop partnership when the current agreement ends in August 2026. This decision is not expected to significantly impact Ulta Beauty’s fiscal 2025 financial results or long-term financial targets. The partnership, which began in 2021, has been successful in expanding access to prestige beauty and offering convenience through linked rewards programs. Both companies remain committed to providing a seamless shopping experience until the partnership concludes, while Ulta Beauty continues to focus on its growth plans, including the launch of Ulta Beauty Marketplace.

Executive/Board Changes
Ulta Beauty CFO Departure and Severance Agreement
Neutral
Jul 25, 2025

Paula Oyibo, the former CFO of Ulta Beauty, departed the company on June 24, 2025. As part of her exit, she entered into a Separation and Release Agreement, receiving severance benefits including two years of base salary, a lump sum cash bonus, and health care benefits, while agreeing to non-competition and non-solicitation covenants for 24 months.

Executive/Board ChangesBusiness Operations and Strategy
Ulta Beauty Appoints Interim CFO Amid Leadership Change
Neutral
Jun 30, 2025

On June 25, 2025, Ulta Beauty announced the appointment of Christopher Lialios as Interim Chief Financial Officer following the departure of Paula Oyibo. Lialios, who has been with the company since 1999, will lead the financial operations while an external search for a permanent CFO is conducted. The company reaffirmed its fiscal 2025 guidance, indicating stability in its financial outlook.

Executive/Board ChangesShareholder Meetings
Ulta Beauty Holds Annual Stockholder Meeting June 2025
Neutral
Jun 13, 2025

On June 11, 2025, Ulta Beauty, Inc. held its annual meeting of stockholders, where several key proposals were voted on. Stockholders elected ten directors to serve until the 2026 annual meeting, ratified Ernst & Young LLP as the independent accounting firm for fiscal year 2025, and approved the company’s executive compensation. Approximately 87.52% of shares were represented at the meeting, reflecting strong shareholder engagement.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Aug 21, 2025