Company Overview - Ulta Beauty, Inc. (ULTA) is currently positioned as an intriguing investment choice due to solid earnings estimate revisions and a favorable Zacks Industry Rank [1][5] - The company has seen a rise in earnings estimates, indicating a more bullish outlook from analysts for both short and long-term prospects [3][4] Industry Analysis - The Retail - Miscellaneous industry, where Ulta operates, has a Zacks Industry Rank of 34 out of over 250 industries, suggesting it is well-positioned compared to other segments [2] - A rising trend in this industry can positively impact multiple securities, indicating a broad uplift in the sector [2] Earnings Estimates - Current quarter earnings estimates for Ulta have increased from $6.69 per share to $7.06 per share over the past month [4] - Current year earnings estimates have also risen from $23.59 per share to $23.94 per share, reinforcing the company's strong position [4]

Group 1 - Ulta Beauty's stock appreciated by 57.6% over the past five years, increasing from approximately $267 to over $415 per share, turning a $5,000 investment into $7,878 [1] - In comparison, the S&P 500 index returned 95.5% during the same period, with a $5,000 investment growing to $9,776, highlighting the relative underperformance of Ulta Beauty [2] - The company's same-store sales increased by only 0.6% in the fiscal third quarter ending November 2, 2024, indicating sluggish sales growth amid changing consumer spending habits [3] Group 2 - Ulta Beauty's stock currently trades at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 17, down from about 20 a year ago, which is significantly lower than the S&P 500's P/E ratio of 30 [4] - The decline in stock price is attributed to cyclical concerns, but long-term investors may find satisfaction in the returns generated over a five-year horizon [4]

Company Performance - Ulta Beauty Inc (NASDAQ: ULTA) experienced a significant decline in 2024, with its stock price down more than 15% due to concerns over competition and reduced economic activity [2] - The company faced earnings revisions and downgrades throughout 2024 [2] Analyst Background - The analyst focuses on foreign stocks, particularly within the Nordic market, analyzing companies across various industries, including stable blue-chip firms and emerging market leaders [2] - The analyst also covers growth stocks in the US market, providing in-depth research on companies with high potential for long-term expansion [2] - The goal is to uncover undervalued opportunities and explore unique business models to help investors make informed, strategic decisions [2]

Shares of Ulta Beauty (ULTA -3.07%) were climbing higher last month after the beauty superstore chain posted better-than-expected results in its third-quarter earnings report, showing improvement on the bottom line, and that the worst of its market-share losses seemed to be behind it.According to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence, the stock finished the month up 13%. As you can see from the chart, the stock jumped early in the month on the earnings report and managed to add on gains later in the mont ...

Key Takeaways - Ulta Beauty announced CEO Dave Kimbell's retirement, but JPMorgan analysts do not view the transition as negative for the company [1] - JPMorgan reiterated Ulta Beauty as a "top pick" with a $480 price target, while the stock was trading at $431.43, after surging 6.7% earlier in the session [1] Financial Performance and Outlook - Ulta Beauty raised its fiscal Q4 comparable sales and operating margin outlook to clarify that the CEO change was unrelated to Q4 performance [2] - A 1% increase in comparable sales and an operating margin slightly above the previously projected range imply Q4 EPS of $7.21, higher than Wall Street's consensus of $6.76 [3] Leadership Transition - CEO Dave Kimbell has been succeeded by COO Kecia Steelman [2]

Leadership Transition - Dave Kimbell, CEO for 11 years, will retire and step down from the board, with Kecia Steelman succeeding as president and CEO starting Jan 6, 2025 [2] - Dave Kimbell will stay on as an advisor through June 28, 2025 to ensure a seamless transition [2] Financial Performance - Ulta Beauty raised its Q4 fiscal 2024 guidance due to stronger-than-anticipated holiday season performance [1] - Comparable sales are now expected to grow modestly in Q4, compared to earlier expectations of a low single-digit decline [3] - Operating margin is expected to surpass the high end of the previous range of 11.6% to 12.4% of sales [3] - Q3 fiscal 2024 earnings per share were $5.14, up from $5.07 in the year-ago period [5] - Q3 net sales increased 1.7% to $2,530.1 million, driven by new store contributions [5] - Comparable sales inched up 0.6% on a 0.5% rise in transactions and a 0.1% increase in average ticket size [5] Strategic Initiatives - Ulta Beauty remains focused on executing key initiatives with precision in a dynamic market environment [6] - The company is confident in its business model and strategic efforts to drive long-term profitable growth and maintain its leadership position [6] Stock Performance - Ulta Beauty's stock has gained 18.3% in the past three months, compared to the industry's growth of 1.3% [6] Industry Comparison - Under Armour (UAA) has a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) with a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 75.1% on average [8] - Ralph Lauren Corporation (RL) carries a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) with a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 9.1% on average [8] - Hanesbrands Inc (HBI) carries a Zacks Rank 2 with a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 21.6% on average [9]

Ulta Beauty Inc (NASDAQ:ULTA) stock was last seen up 4.5% to trade at $450.70, after the cosmetics retailer revealed COO Kecia Steelman will succeed CEO Dave Kimbell, who retired on Monday after 11 years with the company. Additionally, Ulta lifted its fourth-quarter operating margin outlook. ULTA carries a 7.5% year-over-year deficit, but added 23.3% over the past three months. Shares are trading at their highest level since April as they bounce off their 20-day moving average and break through pressure at ...

Leadership Transition - Ulta Beauty CEO Dave Kimbell is retiring after 11 years, effective immediately [1][4] - Kimbell will remain as an advisor through June 28 [1] - Chief Operating Officer Kecia Steelman will succeed Kimbell as CEO [1][4] Strategic Direction - Steelman played a key role in developing Ulta's refreshed strategic framework [2] - Ulta's strategic roadmap includes opening 200 net new stores by 2028 [2] - The company aims to increase loyalty program membership to 50 million members by 2028 [2] Financial Performance - Ulta raised its fourth-quarter outlook, expecting comparable sales to increase modestly [3] - Operating margin is projected to exceed the high end of the previously estimated range of 11.6% to 12.4% [3][4] - Fourth-quarter results will be reported on March 13 [3] Market Reaction - Ulta's shares rose approximately 2% in extended trading following the announcements [3]

People walk past an Ulta Beauty store in the Manhattan borough of New York City on March 8, 2022.Ulta Beauty CEO Dave Kimbell is retiring and will be replaced by the retailer's Chief Operating Officer Kecia Steelman, the company announced Monday.Ulta said in a news release that the leadership changes take effect on Monday. Steelman will also replace Kimbell on the company's board of directors. In a news release, Ulta said Kimbell will serve as an advisor to the company through June 28.Along with announcing ...

Ulta Beauty (ULTA -0.91%) investors have some good reasons to feel disappointed right now. Their stock was left out of the 2024 rally, declining 13% through mid-December while the broader S&P 500 jumped 24%. Its slumping valuation even attracted attention from Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, yet the famed investor went on to sell almost all of that new position by the following quarter.It's possible Buffett and his investing partners soured on the economics of this spa and beauty products business, whi ...