Hardman Johnston Global Advisors, an investment management company, released its “Hardman Johnston Global Equity Strategy” investor letter for the fourth quarter of 2025. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. Global equity markets delivered robust results in the quarter, backed by easing inflation trends and strong economic data. The Hardman Johnston Global Equity Strategy returned 2.91%, net of fees, compared to the MSCI AC World Net Index’s 3.29% gain. The Financials and Consumer Staples sectors c ...

Group 1 - Procter & Gamble reported mixed results for its fiscal second quarter of 2026, with adjusted earnings per share of $1.88 exceeding analyst expectations, while revenue of $22.21 billion fell slightly below consensus estimates [2] - The company adjusted its fiscal year 2026 outlook for diluted net earnings per share growth due to higher restructuring charges but maintained its guidance for core earnings per share and organic sales growth [3] - P&G has solid fundamentals, showing a lower valuation (P/OpInc) compared to Estée Lauder Companies, while demonstrating higher growth in revenue and operating income [3][4] Group 2 - The disparity between valuation and performance suggests that P&G stock may be a better investment choice than Estée Lauder stock [4] - A multi-faceted analysis is essential for assessing investments, and the Trefis High Quality Portfolio aims to mitigate stock-specific risk while providing potential upside exposure [5][7] - Evaluating the current stock price of Estée Lauder Companies in relation to its peers may indicate whether the stock is overpriced, particularly if there has been a significant reversal in its performance metrics over the past year [6]

Kecia Steelman, President and Chief Executive Officer at Ulta Beauty, said: "The UAE launch marks an exciting milestone for Ulta Beauty and Alshaya Group as we continue our expansion in the Middle East and bring our distinctive beauty experience to the region. We are proud of the teams who brought this vision to life and look forward to welcoming guests in Dubai to discover a destination where beauty, self-expression, and possibility come together.†BOLINGBROOK, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ulta Beauty, the larg ...

Core Insights - Ulta Beauty, Inc. has been highlighted as a strong performer in the stock market, achieving new highs consistently over recent weeks [1] - The company's new CEO, Kecia Steelman, has successfully led a significant turnaround since taking over a year ago, prompting recommendations to buy the stock [1] Company Overview - Ulta Beauty, Inc. specializes in cosmetics, skincare, haircare, and fragrance products, and also provides in-store beauty services such as hair, makeup, brow, and skin treatments [2]

Core Viewpoint - The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. is recognized as a strong investment opportunity, particularly highlighted by recent upgrades from financial analysts, indicating a positive outlook for the company's future performance [2][3]. Analyst Upgrades - Wells Fargo raised its price target for Estée Lauder from $95 to $111 while maintaining an Equal Weight rating, reflecting updated models across various sectors [2]. - Raymond James upgraded Estée Lauder to Strong Buy from Market Perform, setting a new price target of $130 and including the stock in its Analyst Current Favorites list, citing a transition from narrative to execution in the company's turnaround strategy [3]. Company Strategy - The CEO outlined a strategy focused on expanding market share and increasing sales through the development of new brands, targeting younger consumers globally, and customizing products to fit local cultural preferences [4]. - The company aims to leverage the rising global middle class as a significant growth driver through 2030, which is central to its long-term plans [4]. Market Focus - Estée Lauder is in the midst of a turnaround, aiming to rebalance growth by increasing focus on the Americas and emerging markets, while still maintaining a presence in China despite recent consumer spending pullbacks [5].

Core Concept - The article discusses the concept of "wide moat" companies, which possess strong competitive advantages that protect them from rivals, ensuring long-term profitability and stability [1][3]. Group 1: Characteristics of Wide Moat Companies - Wide moat companies benefit from brand strength, network effects, high customer switching costs, regulatory protections, and economies of scale, making it difficult for competitors to erode their market share [3]. - These companies typically enjoy strong pricing power, stable profit margins, and the ability to reinvest in their businesses, further reinforcing their competitive advantages [3]. Group 2: Investment Rationale - Investing in wide moat businesses is seen as a strategy for building long-term wealth, as they tend to produce steady cash flows and navigate market volatility effectively [5]. - Such companies demonstrate resilience during economic downturns due to their solid market positions and robust balance sheets [4]. Group 3: Company Examples - Estee Lauder Companies Inc. focuses on strengthening its core brands and has implemented a Profit Recovery and Growth Plan to restore margins and support sustainable sales growth [7][8]. - Caterpillar Inc. is positioned to benefit from infrastructure projects driven by the U.S. Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and is expanding its capabilities in clean energy and data center support [11][12][13]. - S&P Global leverages its brand strength and regulatory influence to maintain a stable revenue stream from its credit rating and financial data services, which are essential for market participants [15][16].

Core Insights - Monster Beverage Corporation (MNST) is maintaining strong growth by integrating innovation, pricing discipline, and impactful marketing into a unified strategy [1][3] - The company is expanding its product portfolio with new flavors, formats, and zero-sugar options while managing pricing to protect margins, allowing for top-line growth without sacrificing profitability [1][2] Innovation Strategy - Innovation is central to Monster Beverage's strategy, with successful platforms like Ultra and Juice Monster being refreshed and new SKUs introduced to meet changing consumer preferences [2] - Limited-time offerings and athlete-backed products, including zero-sugar extensions, enhance brand relevance and encourage repeat purchases [2] Pricing and Marketing - The company is implementing pricing adjustments, including reduced promotional allowances, to reflect its strong value proposition while minimizing volume risk [3] - Marketing strategies, including global sports sponsorships and viral digital campaigns, reinforce the brand's lifestyle appeal and enhance consumer engagement [3] Stock Performance - Monster Beverage shares have appreciated 47.3% over the past year, outperforming the Zacks Beverages - Soft Drinks industry's increase of 8.7% and the broader Consumer Staples sector's decline of 0.4% [4] - The stock is currently trading at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple of 34.4X, significantly higher than the industry's average of 18.14X [9]

Core Insights - Coty Inc.'s first-quarter fiscal 2026 performance emphasizes the increasing importance of e-commerce amidst broader top-line pressures from trade destocking, with mid-single-digit e-commerce sell-out growth reported across both Prestige and Consumer Beauty segments [1][5] E-commerce Growth - E-commerce now constitutes approximately 20% of Coty's total sales, with penetration increasing during the quarter, indicating improved execution beyond just channel mix benefits [2][8] - The company has integrated its digital and e-commerce teams within local markets and brand organizations, facilitating quicker decision-making and better omnichannel coordination [2] Strategic Partnerships - Coty continues to enhance its long-standing partnership with Amazon, adding Marc Jacobs to Amazon's Premium Beauty Marketplace, which broadens Coty's online reach in the prestige beauty sector while maintaining brand control [3] Digital Innovation - E-commerce momentum is bolstered by early-stage digital innovations, with Coty accelerating AI adoption in areas such as content creation, predictive analytics, and virtual try-on tools to improve the online shopping experience and optimize digital media spending [4] Market Performance - Coty's mid-single-digit e-commerce growth highlights the channel's increasing role in consumer engagement, even as the company faces near-term retail disruptions in the evolving beauty market [5]

Group 1: Company Performance - Hardman Johnston Global Advisors reported that its portfolio underperformed in Q3 2025, returning 5.02% net of fees compared to 7.62% for the MSCI AC World Net Index [1] - The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE:EL) experienced a one-month return of 13.66% and a 52-week gain of 45.10%, closing at $107.65 per share with a market capitalization of $38.793 billion on December 26, 2025 [2] - The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. saw a 3% year-over-year increase in net sales in Q3 2025, driven by double-digit growth in fragrance and modest low single-digit growth in skincare [4] Group 2: Investment Thesis - The investment thesis for The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. is supported by solid industry dynamics, with global beauty growing mid-single digits and luxury beauty growing faster [3] - The company is implementing "self-help" measures, recovering approximately 600 basis points in gross margin and over 1,000 basis points in operating margin, which is expected to drive strong double-digit earnings growth [3] - Despite the potential of The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. as an investment, there are opinions that certain AI stocks may offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk [4] Group 3: Market Position - The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. is not among the 30 most popular stocks among hedge funds, with 45 hedge fund portfolios holding the stock at the end of Q3 2025, down from 48 in the previous quarter [4] - The company is recognized as a leading player in a structurally attractive beauty industry that has been under-managed in recent years [3]

Core Viewpoint - Ulta Beauty has raised its annual sales and profit forecast, indicating strong demand for its makeup and skincare products as the holiday season approaches [1] Company Summary - Ulta Beauty is anticipating increased sales and profits due to robust consumer interest in its product offerings [1]