Core Viewpoint - Value stocks are currently overlooked in the market, with a potential rotation back into undervalued stocks expected in the coming months [1] Group 1: Investment Opportunities - Investors can utilize a screening process focusing on high returns on capital and strong business models to identify undervalued stocks [2] - Ulta Beauty, Adobe, and Sprouts Farmers Market are highlighted as stocks with favorable profiles, positioned in low-cyclical spaces and offering asymmetric upside opportunities [3][4] - Ulta Beauty's stock is trading near its 52-week high, yet its forward P/E ratio of 19.7x indicates it remains undervalued compared to historical levels [3][4] Group 2: Company Fundamentals - Ulta Beauty has not been this undervalued since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, with strong fundamentals supporting its business [4] - The company enjoys a gross profit margin of 42.7%, which is indicative of its pricing power and profitability [5] - Ulta's return on invested capital (ROIC) stands at 26.8%, aligning with long-term stock price performance expectations [6] Group 3: Analyst Ratings and Price Targets - Analyst Michael Baker from DA Davidson has reiterated a Buy rating on Ulta with a price target of $550, suggesting a 16% upside from current levels [7] - Adobe's forward P/E of 17.1x is the lowest on record, indicating a potential for significant upside as the economic landscape improves [8][10] - Gil Luria from DA Davidson has placed a Buy rating on Adobe with a price target of $500, representing a 34% upside potential [11] Group 4: Sprouts Farmers Market - Sprouts Farmers Market has seen a 100% rally over the past year but still holds potential for further growth due to its defensive business model [13] - The company boasts a 15% ROIC, positioning it favorably among peers and justifying its premium valuation of 30.8x forward P/E [14][15]

[Music] When I was scrolling through YouTube one day, I stumbled upon a video that horrified me. It was a rabbit wearing makeup. It was wearing lipstick.Hi, my name is Kira Wong Chu from Ya Guangjo School. I have a deep love for animals and today I hope to inspire all of you to stop the cruelty of animal testing. I was horrified to learn that humans test products on animals like creams, cosmetics, makeup, and medication on innocent animals such as mice and rabbits.The injuries they get are skin irritation, ...

Key Takeaways ULTA reported Q1 comp sales growth of 2.9% on higher average ticket and slight gains in transactions. Fragrance and wellness outperformed, while makeup comps dipped and haircare was flat overall. E-commerce rose 10%, with disciplined promotions boosting execution across both digital and store channels.Ulta Beauty, Inc. (ULTA) started fiscal 2025 with a modest uptick in comparable sales, reporting a 2.9% gain in the first quarter driven by higher average ticket values and slight growth in tra ...

[Music] When I was 17, my friends and I were excited to go to prom. It was an immense coming of age moment, and I needed makeup. Now, I was newer to the world of beauty, but I was surprised when I couldn't find a foundation shade at the beauty store that matched my skin tone.My only options were high-end makeup companies that I couldn't even afford. I eventually left the store empty-handed, and I ended up going to prom with my mom's makeup on my face. But it wasn't just makeup where I had experienced a scen ...

An updated edition of the April 17, 2025 article.The beauty and cosmetics industry has transformed from ancient natural remedies to modern, science-driven skincare and makeup products. Evolving beauty standards and consumer preferences have been shaped by culture, technology and changing social values. Today, the beauty industry is a multi-billion-dollar global market, offering a wide range of products — including skincare, makeup, fragrances and wellness solutions. As trends continue to shift and innovatio ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For the first quarter, net sales increased by 4.5% to $2.8 billion, with operating profit at 14.1% of sales and diluted earnings per share at $6.70 [6][25][29] - Comparable sales rose by 2.9%, driven by a 2.3% increase in average ticket and a 0.6% increase in transactions [25] - Gross margin decreased by 10 basis points to 39.1%, primarily due to deleverage of store and supply chain fixed costs [27] - SG&A expenses increased by 6.7% to $711 million, with SG&A as a percentage of sales rising to 24.9% [28] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Fragrance was the strongest performing category, delivering double-digit growth, while skincare and wellness saw high single-digit growth [10] - Hair care was roughly flat, with growth in hair color and accessories offset by declines in hair care tools [11] - Makeup category experienced a slight decrease in comp sales, driven by mass makeup, while prestige makeup remained flat [11][12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consumer engagement with beauty remains strong, with beauty and wellness prioritized by consumers despite economic pressures [7] - The beauty category is expected to normalize growth rates, projected at 2% to 5% over the next few years [56] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on executing the Ulta Beauty Unleashed plan to accelerate performance and maintain leadership [7][19] - Strategic priorities include scaling new businesses, enhancing digital capabilities, and optimizing cost structures [17][19] - The company plans to open stores in Mexico City, Kuwait City, and Dubai later this year, alongside launching an online marketplace [18] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism about the operating environment, acknowledging ongoing consumer pressures and macroeconomic uncertainties [31][32] - The company updated its sales expectations for the year, projecting net sales between $11.5 billion and $11.7 billion, with comp sales growth expected to be flat to up 1.5% [31][32] Other Important Information - The company launched 19 new brands during the quarter, many of which are exclusive to Ulta Beauty [15] - The active loyalty member base reached a record 45 million, up 3% year over year [14] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on the Ulta Beauty Unleashed plan - Management highlighted improved in-store execution and marketing efforts as key contributors to the success of the Ulta Beauty Unleashed plan [36][40] Question: Full year outlook and promotional strategies - Management discussed expectations for comp sales growth and the rationality of promotions, emphasizing a cautious approach due to market dynamics [42][45] Question: Newness and innovation pipeline - Management expressed confidence in a balanced pipeline of new products across categories, with a focus on exclusivity [48][50] Question: Demand improvements and competitive intensity - Management noted that competitive intensity remains high, but the company is well-positioned to drive market share through its initiatives [51][54] Question: E-commerce growth drivers - Management attributed the 10% growth in e-commerce to enhancements in digital capabilities and a focus on app engagement [92][93]

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].

Core Viewpoint - Coty Inc. (COTY) is currently undervalued, trading at a forward P/E ratio of 10.57, significantly below its historical median of 13.30 and the industry average of 23.01, indicating potential for long-term growth and investment opportunity [1]. Financial Performance - Coty's shares have declined by 11.9% over the past three months, underperforming the industry and S&P 500, which saw declines of 8.6% and 0.9% respectively, suggesting challenges in the current market environment [4]. - The company achieved approximately $40 million in cost savings in the third quarter of fiscal 2025, with a target of $120 million in total productivity savings for the full fiscal year [7]. Growth Strategy - Coty is focusing on six strategic pillars for sustainable growth, including stabilizing Consumer Beauty brands, accelerating luxury fragrances, expanding into skincare, enhancing e-commerce capabilities, growing in China, and leading in sustainability [5]. - E-commerce now accounts for about 20% of Coty's total sales, with plans to launch a new brand on Amazon in fiscal 2026 and engage with emerging platforms like TikTok Shop [6]. Challenges - The U.S. operations have been a significant headwind, contributing to a decline in like-for-like sales in the third quarter of fiscal 2025, prompting leadership changes and organizational restructuring [10]. - The Prestige division faced multiple challenges, including a slowdown in the prestige fragrance market, lack of major product launches, and elevated inventory levels at retailers [11]. - Increased advertising and consumer promotions spending has remained high, potentially impacting margins and profitability if not managed effectively [12].

Core Insights - Ulta Beauty's stock has increased by 12.9% over the past month, while the industry and S&P 500 have grown by 16.1% and 15.4% respectively, prompting investors to consider whether to hold or take profits [1] Company Strategy and Performance - Ulta Beauty has transformed the beauty industry by combining mass, prestige, and luxury brands in an accessible shopping environment, which has driven significant profitable growth [3] - The company maintains a balanced approach between online and physical stores, with e-commerce sales growing mid-single digits in Q4 of fiscal 2024, reflecting a shift towards digital beauty shopping [4] - The skincare category has seen mid-single-digit comparable sales growth in Q4 of fiscal 2024, driven by strong demand for body care and new brands like Sol de Janeiro, Naturium, and TATCHA [5] Challenges and Concerns - The fourth-quarter results revealed a mid-single-digit decline in comparable sales for the makeup category, primarily due to softness in mass makeup, which is critical for driving traffic and sales [6] - Rising operating expenses are a concern, with SG&A expenses increasing to 23.4% of net sales in Q4 of fiscal 2024, up from 23.1% the previous year, and expected to rise approximately 10% in fiscal 2025 due to strategic investments and higher payroll costs [7][8] Valuation - Ulta Beauty is trading at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings multiple of 17.38X, which is above the industry average of 16.81X, indicating potential overvaluation relative to its fundamentals [9] Investment Outlook - The recent stock rally reflects investor optimism driven by strong skincare performance, a resilient omnichannel strategy, and ongoing innovation, but challenges in the makeup category and rising expenses suggest the stock may be pricing in near-term perfection [12]

Q1 2025 Earnings Presentation 1 MICHEL BROUSSET MANUEL MANFREDI CO-FOUNDER & CEO CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER 2 DISCLAIMER Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements All statements in this release that are not historical, are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements about: Waldencast's outlook and guidance for 2025; our ability to deliver financial resu ...