This Is the Best Retail Stock to Own in December

Core Insights - Investors are optimistic about closing the year strong, with the S&P 500 Index achieving a seventh consecutive monthly gain, positioning Ulta Beauty Inc as a potential strong performer for December [1] Company Performance - Ulta Beauty is ranked as the best among three retailers on a list of top stocks, holding the third position overall for the past decade, with an average gain of 4.1% over the last ten years [2] - The stock is currently trading at $549.33, on track for a sixth consecutive gain, and has a 26% year-over-year increase, indicating a strong upward trend [2] Market Dynamics - There is potential for a short squeeze, as short interest in Ulta Beauty has risen by 21.5% over the last two reporting periods, now constituting 5.1% of the stock's available float [3] - The average time required for short sellers to cover their positions is over three trading days, based on Ulta's average daily trading volume [3] - The options market shows a high level of pessimism, with a 50-day put/call ratio of 1.17, ranking higher than 98% of annual readings, which could provide additional support for the stock [4]