Financial Performance - For the quarter ended January 2025, Ulta Beauty reported revenue of $3.49 billion, a decrease of 1.9% year-over-year [1] - EPS for the quarter was $8.46, an increase from $8.08 in the same quarter last year [1] - The reported revenue exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.46 billion by +0.69% [1] - EPS also surpassed the consensus estimate of $7.10 by +19.15% [1] Key Metrics - Comparable sales increased by 1.5%, outperforming the 11-analyst average estimate of 0.4% [4] - Total stores open at the end of the quarter were 1,445, slightly below the nine-analyst average estimate of 1,447 [4] - Total gross square footage at the end of the quarter was 15,110.17 thousand square feet, compared to the seven-analyst average estimate of 15,130.46 thousand square feet [4] - Net sales per average total square footage were $230.81, exceeding the five-analyst average estimate of $230.13 [4] - The number of stores opened during the quarter was 9, below the average estimate of 12 by five analysts [4] Sales by Category - Net Sales by Primary Category - Other: 2%, matching the average estimate [4] - Net Sales by Primary Category - Services: 3%, below the average estimate of 4% [4] - Net Sales by Primary Category - Fragrance: 17%, slightly above the average estimate of 16.5% [4] - Net Sales by Primary Category - Haircare: 19%, exceeding the average estimate of 18.5% [4] - Net Sales by Primary Category - Cosmetics: 36%, below the average estimate of 39% [4] Stock Performance - Ulta's shares have returned -11.8% over the past month, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -7.4% change [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating potential performance in line with the broader market in the near term [3]

Ulta Beauty (ULTA) came out with quarterly earnings of $8.46 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $7.10 per share. This compares to earnings of $8.08 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of 19.15%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this beauty products retailer would post earnings of $4.47 per share when it actually produced earnings of $5.14, delivering a surprise of 14.99%.Over the last four quarters, ...

Core Insights - Ulta Beauty reported better-than-expected earnings for fiscal 2024 fourth quarter, with EPS of $8.46 surpassing the consensus estimate of $7.13 and revenue of $3.49 billion exceeding projections of $3.47 billion, despite a year-over-year revenue decline of 1.9% due to an extra week in the previous fiscal year [2][7]. Financial Performance - Q4 2024 diluted EPS was $8.46, up 4.7% from $8.08 in Q4 2023, exceeding analysts' estimate of $7.13 [4]. - Revenue for Q4 2024 was $3.49 billion, a decrease of 1.9% from $3.55 billion in Q4 2023, but above the estimated $3.47 billion [4]. - Gross profit margin improved to 38.2% from 37.7% year-over-year [4]. - Net income for the quarter was $393.3 million, slightly down from $394.4 million in the previous year, reflecting a 0.3% decline [4]. Market Strategy - Ulta Beauty operates over 1,400 stores and employs an integrated omnichannel strategy, combining physical presence with online engagement to enhance customer experience and loyalty [5]. - The company has focused on expanding its loyalty program, which has over 43 million members contributing to more than 95% of sales [6]. - Ulta's product offerings balance mass and prestige brands, aiming to capture a broad customer base [6]. Sales Performance - Comparable sales increased by 1.5%, driven by a 3% rise in ticket size, although transactions decreased by 1.4% [8]. - The share of cosmetics in overall sales fell from 39% to 36%, while fragrances increased from 15% to 17%, indicating changing customer preferences [8]. Cost and Competition - SG&A expenses rose to 23.4% of net sales from 23.1%, influenced by cost pressures in store payroll and benefits, alongside increased competition from over 1,000 new beauty distribution channels [9]. - The transition in leadership with COO Kecia Steelman succeeding David Kimbell as CEO may signal strategic changes amid current market conditions [9]. Future Outlook - For fiscal 2025, Ulta Beauty expects net sales between $11.5 billion and $11.6 billion, with comparable sales growth projected to be flat to 1% [10]. - Projected EPS for fiscal 2025 ranges from $22.50 to $22.90, reflecting a cautious outlook due to market uncertainties [10]. - Strategic plans include investments in store expansion, wellness products, and digital innovation [10].

An exterior view of an Ulta Beauty store at the Monroe Marketplace Shopping Center.Even the beauty industry is expecting a weak 2025. Ulta Beauty on Thursday gave worse full-year profit and revenue guidance than Wall Street expected, after reporting holiday-quarter results that beat analyst forecasts. The retailer, which appointed Kecia Steelman as its new CEO in January, said it's expecting comparable sales to be flat or grow 1% in 2025, while analysts had anticipated they would rise by 1.2%, according to ...

Ulta Beauty (ULTA) Q4 2025 Earnings Call March 13, 2025 04:30 PM ET Company Participants Kiley Rawlins - SVP - Investor RelationsKecia Steelman - President & CEOPaula Oyibo - Chief Financial OfficerDana Telsey - CEO and Chief Research OfficerLorraine Hutchinson - Managing DirectorMichael Binetti - Senior Managing DirectorSimeon Gutman - Managing DirectorSteven Forbes - Senior Managing DirectorAshley Helgans - Senior Vice President Conference Call Participants Adrienne Yih - Managing Director, Consumer Discr ...

Exhibit 99.1 ULTA BEAUTY ANNOUNCES FOURTH QUARTER FISCAL 2024 RESULTS Net Sales of $3.5 Billion Compared to $3.6 Billion in the Year-Ago Quarter Comparable Sales Increased 1.5% Net Income of $393.3 Million or $8.46 Per Diluted Share Bolingbrook, IL – March 13, 2025 – Ulta Beauty, Inc. (NASDAQ: ULTA) today announced financial results for the thirteen-week period ("fourth quarter") and fifty-two- week period ("fiscal year") ended February 1, 2025, compared to the comparable fourteen-week and fifty-three-week ...

Core Viewpoint - Ulta Beauty Inc is facing a challenging earnings report with expected declines in both earnings per share and revenue, leading to a 3.3% drop in share price as investors prepare for the announcement [1]. Financial Expectations - Analysts anticipate earnings of $7.05 per share for the fourth quarter, representing a 12.8% decrease from the previous year [1]. - Projected revenue for the fourth quarter is $3.46 billion, indicating a 2.8% year-over-year decline [1]. - For fiscal 2024, revenue is expected to increase slightly by 0.5% to $11.26 billion [1]. Stock Performance and Volatility - Ulta Beauty's stock has shown mixed performance post-earnings, with a 9% increase in December among four out of the last eight sessions finishing higher [2]. - Options traders are predicting an 11.3% price swing following the earnings report, which is significantly higher than the two-year average move of 6.1% [2]. Technical Analysis - The stock has declined from a peak of $460 on January 7, marking a 20.8% decrease year-to-date [3]. - The 20-day moving average has acted as resistance since early February, contributing to the stock's losses [3]. Options Market Sentiment - There is a bullish sentiment among options traders, with a call/put volume ratio of 2.01, placing it in the 90th percentile of its annual range [4]. - This indicates a higher-than-usual interest in long calls ahead of the earnings report [4]. Analyst Ratings and Short Interest - Analyst opinions are mixed, with 12 out of 28 analysts rating the stock as a "strong buy," while 13 recommend a "hold" and one a "strong sell" [5]. - Short interest has risen by 10.2% in the last two reporting periods, with shorted shares now making up 5.9% of the total available float [5].

Ulta Beauty, Inc. (ULTA) is likely to register top and bottom-line declines when it reports fourth-quarter fiscal 2024 earnings on March 13, after market close. The consensus mark for quarterly earnings has decreased by a penny in the past 30 days to $7.05 per share, indicating a 12.8% dip from the figure reported in the year-ago quarter. The consensus mark for fiscal 2024 earnings is pegged at $23.93 per share, implying a decline of 8.1% from the prior year’s reported figure. ULTA delivered a trailing four ...

The market expects Ulta Beauty (ULTA) to deliver a year-over-year decline in earnings on lower revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended January 2025. This widely-known consensus outlook is important in assessing the company's earnings picture, but a powerful factor that might influence its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released ...

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