Core Insights - Percepta celebrates 25 years of transforming customer engagement in the automotive industry, operating in 13 countries and 60 markets [1][6] - The company has launched hundreds of customer experience (CX) programs across various automotive segments, combining deep industry knowledge with a digital-first approach [3][6] - Percepta is committed to investing in technologies and talent to support the next generation of automotive experiences, including smart mobility and connected vehicles [5] Company Overview - Percepta is a joint venture between TTEC Holdings, Inc. and Ford Motor Company, specializing in customer experience solutions for the automotive and mobility sectors [6] - The company provides end-to-end CX support across multiple channels, helping both mass-market and luxury automotive brands optimize sales, service, and fleet solutions [6] - Percepta offers a comprehensive suite of services, including customer care, technical support, and digital analytics, ensuring seamless customer interactions [4][6] Leadership Insights - Karen Gurganious, President of Percepta, emphasizes the company's insider understanding of the automotive industry and its commitment to creating meaningful relationships between brands and customers [2][3] - Ken Tuchman, Chairman and CEO of TTEC, highlights the importance of anticipating customer needs and delivering value throughout the entire customer journey [5]

Core Viewpoint - Ulta Beauty, Inc. is expected to report its first-quarter fiscal 2025 earnings on May 29, with a consensus estimate for revenues at $2.79 billion, reflecting a 2.2% increase year-over-year, while earnings per share are projected to decline by 11.1% to $5.75 [1][2]. Group 1: Earnings Predictions - The Zacks Model predicts an earnings beat for Ulta Beauty, supported by a positive Earnings ESP of +0.23% and a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [3][4]. - Ulta Beauty has historically delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of nearly 9% on average [2]. Group 2: Growth Drivers - The company continues to lead the beauty retail sector by integrating mass, prestige, and luxury brands, enhanced by a strong omni-channel strategy that combines physical retail expansion with digital innovation [5]. - Investments in marketing and social platforms are increasing brand visibility, while a focus on product assortment and loyalty engagement is driving customer traffic [5]. - The skincare segment, particularly brands like Sol de Janeiro and TATCHA, is contributing to growth, positioning the company favorably for the upcoming quarter [6]. Group 3: Challenges - Ulta Beauty faces pressure from rising selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses, which are expected to increase by 220 basis points to 26.6% of net sales for the fiscal first quarter [7]. - Margin performance is likely to be affected by lower merchandise margins and increased supply chain expenses [7]. - The ongoing decline in the Makeup category presents a risk to the company's growth momentum [7]. Group 4: Stock Performance and Valuation - Ulta Beauty's stock has increased by 12.8% over the past three months, outperforming the Zacks Retail - Miscellaneous industry's decline of 7.1% [9]. - The stock is currently trading at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 17.25, slightly above the industry average of 16.12 [9]. Group 5: Investment Outlook - Despite near-term challenges such as rising SG&A expenses and margin pressure, Ulta Beauty's long-term fundamentals remain solid, suggesting a balanced risk-reward profile for investors [10].