But Çakmak was blunt about what the market demands of newcomers. “It requires much more extensive engagement and showing that you appreciate and understand the culture,” he said. “Thirty-five million local population is a very different engagement than any other country in the region. It’s not an expat mindset.”That ambition is backed by concrete institutional investments. The commission’s Saudi 100 Brands program, now in its fourth year, incubates more than 100 local labels annually. Istituto Marangoni ope ...

We recently published an article titled 12 Best Retail Stocks to Buy According to Analysts. On February 20, Ulta Beauty, Inc. (NASDAQ:ULTA) saw JPMorgan raise its price target to $800 from $647 while maintaining an Overweight rating, though the firm removed the stock from its Analyst Focus List following the recent rally and relatively conservative 2026 guidance. The analyst noted that the company’s outlook appears more weighted toward the second half of the year than current consensus estimates, particul ...

Core Insights - Ulta Beauty, Inc. has a market capitalization of $30.6 billion and operates as a specialty beauty retailer offering a variety of products and in-store services across the U.S., Mexico, and Kuwait [1] Performance Overview - Over the past 52 weeks, Ulta's stock has increased by 91.7%, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 Index, which rose by 12.3% during the same period [2] - Year-to-date, Ulta's shares are up 14.1%, while the S&P 500 has seen only a marginal increase [2] Recent Financial Results - Following the Q3 2025 results announced on December 4, Ulta's shares surged by 12.7% after reporting an EPS of $5.14 and revenue of $2.86 billion [5] - The company experienced a 12.9% year-over-year increase in net sales and a 6.3% growth in comparable sales, with gross margin expanding to 40.4% [5] - Ulta raised its full-year fiscal 2025 guidance, projecting approximately $12.3 billion in net sales and an EPS range of $25.20 to $25.50 [5] Analyst Expectations - For the fiscal year ending January 2026, analysts anticipate a slight increase in EPS to $25.56 [6] - Ulta has a strong earnings surprise history, having beaten consensus estimates in the last four quarters [6] - Among 26 analysts covering the stock, the consensus rating is a "Moderate Buy," with 15 "Strong Buy" ratings, one "Moderate Buy," nine "Holds," and one "Strong Sell" [6] Price Target Insights - Barclays analyst Adrienne Yih maintains a "Buy" rating on Ulta with a price target of $680, while the stock is currently trading above the mean price target of $682.27 [8] - The highest price target on the Street is $790, indicating a potential upside of 15.3% [8]

Core Viewpoint - Sally Beauty (SBH) is undergoing a long-term turnaround, focusing on share buybacks and debt repayment while aiming to maintain current profit margins [1] Group 1: Company Strategy - The company is actively buying back its shares as part of its strategy to enhance shareholder value [1] - Sally Beauty is also prioritizing debt repayment to strengthen its financial position [1] Group 2: Financial Performance - Maintaining current margins is crucial for the company's ongoing turnaround efforts [1]

Core Insights - Energizer Holdings, Inc. (ENR) reported first-quarter fiscal 2026 results with net sales and earnings exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate, although the bottom line declined due to tariff pressures and integration costs from the Advanced Power Solutions (APS) acquisition [1][2][3] Financial Performance - Adjusted earnings were 31 cents per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 26 cents, but down from 67 cents in the prior year [2][8] - Net sales reached $778.9 million, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $715 million, and increased by 6.5% year over year, driven by $64.6 million in acquisition-related sales from APS and favorable currency impacts [3][8] - Organic net sales declined by 4.3%, attributed to weaker volumes and difficult comparisons from the previous year's storm-driven demand [3][4] Segment Analysis - The Batteries & Lights segment saw net sales increase by 8.3% year over year to $685.2 million, supported by APS contributions, although organic sales fell by 3.8% due to softer category trends [4][5] - The Auto Care segment reported net sales of $93.7 million, down 5.6% year over year, with an organic decline of 6.9% due to consumer softness [5][6] Margin and Cost Details - Adjusted gross profit decreased by 7.2% year over year to $271.9 million, with the adjusted gross margin contracting by 510 basis points to 34.9% due to higher tariff costs and production inefficiencies [7][10] - Adjusted SG&A expenses rose by 11.7% to $133.2 million, increasing as a percentage of net sales to 17.1% [8][9] Cash Flow and Financial Health - The company ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $214.8 million and long-term debt of $3,318.7 million, generating $149.5 million in operating cash flow [11] - Energizer repaid over $100 million of debt and returned approximately $23 million to shareholders through dividends [11] Future Outlook - Management expects adjusted gross margin improvement of over 300 basis points in the second quarter, with organic net sales anticipated to return to growth in the second half of fiscal 2026 [12][13] - For fiscal 2026, adjusted earnings are guided in the range of $3.30-$3.60 per share, with organic net sales expected to be flat to slightly up across both segments [15][16]

Core Insights - Target is facing challenges with uneven performance, including sales declines, reduced foot traffic, and market share loss to competitors, exacerbated by consumer backlash over controversial decisions [1] - The company is under pressure as its partnership with Ulta Beauty is set to end in August 2026, prompting a sense of urgency to fill the beauty gap and maintain its one-stop shopping appeal [2] Strategic Initiatives - Target has launched a multi-year strategy aimed at achieving profitable growth and generating over $15 billion in additional sales by 2030, focusing on product innovation, customer needs, value delivery, and enhanced shopping experiences [3] - The retailer plans to introduce nearly 3,000 new beauty products and over 60 new brands starting in February, with more than 90% of items priced under $20, marking its largest spring beauty expansion to date [5][6] Customer Engagement and Experience - Target aims to create a differentiated beauty assortment and enhance the shopping experience through engaging product trial events and a commitment to affordable pricing [4][7] - The refreshed in-store experience will include clearer layouts, updated displays, and increased visibility for Target exclusives, designed to inspire exploration and interaction [10] Leadership and Technology - With Michael Fiddelke as the new CEO, Target is focusing on stylish, affordable products, improved technology, and a consistent guest experience to address recent challenges [11] - The company is utilizing AI-powered tools to identify emerging trends and design new merchandise, reflecting a commitment to innovation [12] Market Context - The U.S. beauty and personal care industry was valued at approximately $102.73 billion in 2024, with an expected annual growth rate of 7.1% through 2030, indicating a favorable market environment for Target's beauty expansion [17] - Consumer preferences are shifting, with only 14% of U.S. beauty shoppers believing that higher prices indicate better quality, suggesting a growing demand for value-driven products [17][18] Performance Outlook - Despite the strategic initiatives, Target anticipates a low single-digit decline in full-year 2025 sales, with a 1.5% year-over-year drop in net sales for the third quarter of 2025 [14] - Some categories, including Beauty, Food & Beverage, and Hardlines, have shown growth, which is why Target is concentrating its expansion efforts in these areas [16]

Market Overview - U.S. stock markets began 2026 positively, with major indexes like the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq Composite rising by 1.7%, 1.4%, and 1% respectively in January, while the Russell 2000 increased by over 5% [2] Investment Opportunities - Five stocks with favorable Zacks Rank and momentum for February include Amphenol Corp. (APH), Seagate Technology Holdings plc (STX), Ulta Beauty Inc. (ULTA), Coeur Mining Inc. (CDE), and KLA Corp. (KLAC), all rated as Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) with a Momentum Score of A [3] Amphenol Corp. (APH) - Amphenol benefits from a diversified business model and holds a 33% market share in AI-powered data center interconnects, with strong demand for high-speed and power interconnect products [5][6] - Increased spending on defense technologies and strong demand across Commercial Air, Industrial, and IT Datacom sectors support top-line growth [6] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for the current year are 24.1% and 30.2% respectively, with a 1.2% improvement in earnings estimates over the last week [9] Seagate Technology Holdings plc (STX) - Seagate is experiencing strong demand driven by cloud and AI, with a focus on balancing performance and cost efficiency [10] - High-capacity nearline production is booked through 2026, ensuring strong demand visibility [11] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for the current year are 24.6% and 52.6% respectively, with a 6.5% improvement in earnings estimates over the last week [14] Ulta Beauty Inc. (ULTA) - Ulta's retail model combines mass, prestige, and luxury beauty, driving consistent customer engagement [15] - Strong loyalty programs and digital capabilities enhance customer relationships and repeat purchases [16] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for the current year are 6.1% and 11.4% respectively, with a slight improvement in earnings estimates [18] Coeur Mining Inc. (CDE) - Coeur Mining is a primary silver and gold producer with operations in the Americas, including key properties in Mexico, Bolivia, Nevada, and Alaska [19] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for the current year are 30.2% and over 100% respectively, with a 10.6% improvement in earnings estimates over the last month [20] KLA Corp. (KLAC) - KLA is benefiting from strong demand in the semiconductor industry, particularly in AI infrastructure and advanced packaging [21] - The company’s leadership in process control systems supports revenue growth amid increasing design complexity [22] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for the current year are 7.92% and 8.8% respectively, with a 1.2% improvement in earnings estimates over the last week [23]

Core Insights - Sally Beauty is expanding its product offerings with innovative solutions aimed at addressing the evolving needs of beauty consumers, particularly focusing on high-performance and affordable beauty products [1][3] Product Launch - The retailer is introducing the ion® 24K collection, which targets hair damage, a concern identified by 40% of US beauty consumers in a recent survey. This collection promises to reverse hair damage from root to tip in just three minutes using TRICHOPOWER™ SCIENCE technology [2][4] - The ion® 24K collection includes four new products: Rapid Recovery Peptide Leave-In Hair Treatment, Metal & Mineral Neutralizing Spray, pH Perfector Purifying Shampoo, and Charcoal Detox Shampoo, each designed to enhance hair health and performance [5] Future Developments - Sally Beauty plans to unveil a new collection of ion® tools in early spring, which aims to provide smoother and shinier hair without the use of harsh heat [3] Availability - The ion® 24K collection will be available on the SALLY app and online at SallyBeauty.com, with in-store availability starting February 9, 2026 [4]

Core Viewpoint - Ulta Beauty is launching "Wellness by Ulta," a dedicated shop-in-shop retail concept aimed at enhancing the in-store wellness experience, moving beyond mere product merchandising to provide education and guidance for consumers [3][8] Group 1: Concept Development - The "Wellness by Ulta" initiative is being rolled out in four locations: Columbus, Ohio; Short Pump, Virginia; and Peabody, Massachusetts, showcasing Ulta's commitment to evolving wellness into an experiential retail format [3] - The concept aims to deliver discovery, education, and trusted guidance, positioning Ulta as a credible destination for wellness shoppers [3][4] Group 2: Brand Collaborations - Ulta is partnering with wellness brands like The Nue Co, which will exclusively launch mood-boosting fragrances in over 1,000 Ulta locations, emphasizing the importance of trained staff in the wellness section [4][5] - Another brand featured in Ulta's wellness corners is Naomi Watts' "Stripes Beauty," which focuses on personal care solutions for perimenopause and menopause, indicating Ulta's intent to cater to diverse consumer needs [6] Group 3: Market Trends - The boundaries between beauty and wellness are increasingly blurring, with beauty brands adopting wellness language and wellness brands framing well-being as a pathway to beauty [7] - Ulta's wellness concept reflects a broader trend in the retail industry, where beauty retailers are evolving into trusted destinations for holistic guidance and education, potentially capturing a more engaged and loyalty-driven consumer base [8]

Core Insights - Ulta Beauty is set to enter the UAE market with its first store opening at Mall of the Emirates on January 29, 2026, in partnership with Alshaya Group, marking a significant step in its global expansion strategy [1][5] Group 1: Company Expansion - The opening in the UAE follows Ulta Beauty's first store launch in Kuwait on November 7, 2025, and will be succeeded by additional stores in Dubai Mall and Red Sea Mall in Jeddah [1][5] - Ulta Beauty aims to enhance its presence in the Middle East with further store openings planned, including Dubai Mall on March 27, 2026, and Red Sea Mall on May 7, 2026 [5] Group 2: Product Offering - The Mall of the Emirates store will feature a comprehensive beauty destination, offering a wide range of products including makeup, skincare, hair care, and fragrance from both prestige and emerging brands [2] - Exclusive US brands such as Ulta Beauty Collection, Ôrbella, and Morphe will be available alongside global favorites like Peter Thomas Roth and RMS, as well as new local brands [2] Group 3: Launch Events - To celebrate its UAE debut, Ulta Beauty will host a series of prelaunch and launch week events, featuring regional beauty brand founders and live demonstrations [3][4] - The launch will include appearances by notable figures such as actress Nadine Njeim and singer Balqees Fathi, enhancing community engagement and brand visibility [3][4] Group 4: Partnership and Leadership - Alshaya Group's CEO John Hadden expressed pride in partnering with Ulta Beauty, emphasizing the significance of this launch for their beauty portfolio and customer experience in the region [5] - Ulta Beauty's President Kecia Steelman highlighted the UAE launch as a milestone in their Middle East expansion, focusing on creating a unique beauty experience [5][6]