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Sector:Consumer CyclicalAll sectors
Last updatedjust now

ULTA·Ulta Beauty, Inc.

$592.41
+13.41 (+2.32%)
After Hours
High
$592.63
Open
$572.92
Market Cap
24.80B
52W High
$714.97
Low
$572.92
P. Close
$592.41
P/E
20.49
52W Low
$443.60
Fwd P/E
18.01
DailyIQ Est.
$650.73
Inst. Ownership
40.4%
Short Interest
5.71%
Days to Cover
5.0
Technical Score (1D)
100
BULLISH
News Sentiment
59
BULLISH
On Oct 13, Ulta Beauty closed the session at $578.87, up 2.01% against a flat S&P 500. The retailer’s earnings per share were projected at $5.60, an 8.95% year‑over‑year increase, while revenue guidance rose 4.54% to $2.99 billion. Analysts noted the company’s performance outpaced the broader Retail‑Wholesale sector, which gained only 0.63%. The positive outlook is expected to support the stock’s recent gains.
LOW TARGET
$500 -15.6%
2 analysts
MEAN TARGET
$631 +6.6%
18 analysts
HIGH TARGET
$731 +23.4%
15 analysts
PRICE RANGE
$500.00 - $731.00
SB / B / H / S / SS
9/16/8/1/1
DAILYIQ EST.
$650.73 (+9.8%)
Sector
Consumer Cyclical
Industry
Specialty Retail
Exchange
NMS
Country
United States
Website
ulta.com
Symbol
ULTA
Description
Ulta Beauty, Inc. is a leading specialty retailer in the beauty industry, catering to consumers in the United States, Mexico, and Kuwait. The company differentiates itself by offering a comprehensive selection of beauty products, encompassing cosmetics, skincare, haircare, fragrances, and professional salon styling tools, alongside its own private label offerings. Ulta Beauty's value proposition extends beyond product sales, providing in-store beauty services such as hair styling, makeup application, and skincare treatments, enhancing the customer experience. Its multi-channel retail strategy includes physical stores, shop-in-shops, a robust e-commerce platform at Ulta.com, and mobile applications to reach a broad customer base. Founded in 1990 and headquartered in Bolingbrook, Illinois, Ulta Beauty has established a strong presence in the beauty retail landscape.
Bought (1Y)
0 shares
$0
Sold (1Y)
2,983 shares
$1.6M
Steelman KeciaPresident and CEO
Sell2,000 shares2026-09-17
Nagler Lorna-
Sell600 shares2026-09-11
GARCIA KELLY EChief Technology Officer
Award/Grant3,565 shares2026-09-01
GARCIA KELLY EChief Technology Officer
Award/Grant2,933 shares2026-09-01
Olson Brieane Lee-
Award/Grant271 shares2026-09-01
View full insider trading history →
70/ 100
Bullish
Overall: Bullish
✓Revenue growing year over year
✓Positive net margin
✓Positive operating cash flow
Gross Margin
39.1%
Net Margin
9.3%
Revenue CAGR
15.6%
Current Ratio
1.41x
Debt / Equity
0.02x
Return on Equity
41.1%
View full financials →
Earnings Summary
Ulta Beauty, Inc. operates as a leading specialty retailer in the beauty industry, offering a broad assortment of cosmetics, skincare, haircare, fragrances, and professional salon services across the United States, Mexico, and Kuwait, supported by a robust e‑commerce platform and mobile apps. The company’s multi‑channel strategy positions it within the consumer cyclical specialty retail sector, where brand differentiation and customer experience drive growth. In the most recent quarter, Q3 2025, Ulta reported earnings per share of $5.14, surpassing the $4.60 estimate, and revenue of $2.86 billion, reflecting a modest YoY increase of roughly 1.5% from the prior year’s $2.84 billion. Compared to Q2 2025, EPS grew from $5.78 to $5.14 (a slight decline in EPS growth rate) while revenue rose from $2.79 billion to $2.86 billion, indicating a deceleration in revenue momentum but continued profitability. Across the last four quarters, the company has consistently beat analyst expectations, with EPS exceeding estimates in all four periods and revenue growth maintaining a positive trajectory, albeit with a slowing pace in the most recent quarter. Historically, Ulta has delivered YoY revenue growth of 6–8% in fiscal 2024, with EPS growth outpacing revenue growth, underscoring efficient cost management and margin expansion. The company’s recent news highlights a strengthened fiscal 2026 outlook following a Q2 earnings beat, driven by e‑commerce momentum and loyalty initiatives, and a strategic expansion of in‑store product lines featuring exclusive brands such as Wavytalk, Flower Knows, and COSRX, aimed at boosting foot traffic and high‑margin sales.

EPS

EstBeatMiss
$4.02$5.28$6.53$7.78$9.04Q4'24Q1'25Q2'25Q3'25Q1'27Q3'27
QtrEstActual+/−
Q3'27$5.61 - -
Q1'27$6.89$7.74+12.3%
Q3'25$4.60$5.14+11.7%
Q2'25$5.04$5.78+14.7%
Q1'25$5.80$6.70+15.5%
Q4'24$7.15$8.46+18.4%

Revenue

EstBeatMiss
$2.7B$2.9B$3.1B$3.4B$3.6BQ4'24Q1'25Q2'25Q3'25Q1'27Q3'27
QtrEstActual+/−
Q3'27$3.0B - -
Q1'27$3.2B$3.2B+0.3%
Q3'25 - $2.9B -
Q2'25 - $2.8B -
Q1'25 - $2.8B -
Q4'24 - $3.5B -
Full Earnings BreakdownEstimates, actuals, guidance, and historical context
→

Market Data

ULTA Stock Snapshot

BULLISH100/100
$592.41+$0.00 (0.0%)
Market cap
24.80B
P/E ratio
20.5
Day range
$572.92 – $592.63
News sentiment
59/100 · Neutral
Analyst target
$631.44 (+6.6%)
Consensus
Buy · 35 analysts
52-week range+33.5% off low · -17.1% from high
$443.60$714.97
Price $592.41 DailyIQ Est. $650.73

Momentum is working in ULTA's favour - it ranks in the upper part of DailyIQ's momentum universe. Earnings and guidance carry more weight than macro data at this capitalisation.

Reverse DCF

What growth is priced into ULTA?

CHEAP

At today's price, Ulta Beauty, Inc. needs to grow free cash flow about 14.1% a year for the next 10 years to justify its valuation at a 9.44% cost of capital. Over its actual history it has compounded free cash flow at 23.2% a year, so the market is asking for 9.1 percentage points below its own delivered rate. On that basis ULTA looks priced below what its own growth record supports.

Implied FCF growth
14.1%
Historical FCF CAGR
23.2%
Growth gap
-9.1 pts
Verdict
CHEAP
Discount rate (WACC)
9.44%
Beta
0.84

Behaviour On Record

What ULTA's own history says about today's numbers

Realized volatility (21d)
24.1% 30th pct
Below its peak
-16.3%
vs 200-day average
+7.0%
Up days (1y)
49%

Ulta Beauty, Inc. is currently running 24.1% annualised volatility over the last 21 sessions. Measured against ULTA's own 13 years of daily returns rather than a market-wide average, that is the 30th percentile — on the quiet side for this stock, against a typical reading of 29.7%. The distinction matters because a number that looks calm for one stock is turbulent for another, and the absolute figure on its own tells you neither.

ULTA is trading -16.3% below its running peak. Across 12 full years on file, its median worst-drawdown-in-a-year was -26.7%, and the deepest was -55.4% in 2020. The current pullback is therefore shallower than what this stock gives back in a typical year, which is context worth having before treating it as a dislocation.

Price sits +7.0% from its 200-day moving average. Against every other day in its history, that gap ranks at the 46th percentile — close to the gap it normally carries. Over the past year ULTA closed higher on 49% of sessions, and it is currently 2 sessions into a rising streak.

On October specifically: over 14 years of records, ULTA finished the month higher 6 of 14 times, with a median return of -1.2% and an average of -1.0%. Its strongest month historically has been November at +7.8% on average, its weakest June at -1.2%. Seasonality is a weak signal on its own — a decade is a small sample and regimes change — but it is a real distribution rather than a rule of thumb.

Overnight risk is measurable too: ULTA has opened more than 2% away from the prior close in 96 of 3,268 sessions (2.9% of the time), with the largest gaps running +16.1% and -7.5%. For anyone holding through an event, that rate is a better guide to overnight exposure than the intraday range.

All figures computed from 3,269 daily closes between 2013-10-15 and 2026-10-14, split-adjusted, recomputed daily. Percentiles are against ULTA's own 13-year history, not a peer group or index.

Sector Rotation

Is money rotating into or out of ULTA's sector?

Ulta Beauty, Inc. sits in the Consumer Discretionary sector, currently ranked 7th of 12 GICS sectors by relative-strength rotation score (improving). Within its narrower Retail industry group, ULTA ranks 4th of 15 tracked industries, leading.

Sector rank
#7 of 12
Sector state
Improving
Sector rotation score
64
Industry rank
#4 of 15

Options Market

What is the options market pricing for ULTA?

CallsPuts

For Ulta Beauty, Inc.'s nearest expiry (2026-10-16, 2 days out), open interest is roughly balanced between puts and calls (put/call ratio of 1.00), with at-the-money implied volatility around 50.7%. The options market is pricing roughly a ±3.9% move by that expiry — a range of about $553.86–$598.94.

Put/call ratio (2026-10-16)
1.00
ATM implied volatility
50.7%
Total open interest
4,567
Expected move by 2026-10-16
±3.9% ($553.86–$598.94)

Analyst Rating Changes

Are analysts turning bullish or bearish on ULTA?

Wells Fargo most recently upgraded Ulta Beauty, Inc. to Equal-Weight on Sep 15, 2026 with a price target of $525 (from $450). Over the last 90 days, coverage has run 1 upgrade against 0 downgrades, a net bullish lean.

Latest action
Wells Fargo — Equal-Weight
90-day upgrades
1
90-day downgrades
0
Net rating momentum
+1
DateFirmActionRatingPrice target
Sep 15, 2026Wells FargoUpgradeUnderweight → Equal-Weight$450 → $525
Sep 14, 2026DA DavidsonMaintainedBuy$625
Sep 9, 2026BMO CapitalInitiatedMarket Perform$580
Aug 28, 2026UBSMaintainedBuy$735 → $710
Aug 28, 2026CitigroupMaintainedNeutral$560 → $580
Aug 28, 2026BarclaysMaintainedOverweight$647 → $645
Aug 28, 2026DA DavidsonMaintainedBuy$585 → $625
Aug 28, 2026Goldman SachsMaintainedBuy$648 → $667
Aug 28, 2026B of A SecuritiesMaintainedBuy$685 → $650
Aug 25, 2026Deutsche BankMaintainedBuy$692 → $695
Jun 9, 2026TD CowenMaintainedBuy$700 → $600
Jun 4, 2026CitigroupMaintainedNeutral$600 → $560

Peers & ETF holders

ULTA peers & ETF holders

Specialty RetailMarket cap · today

Top ETF holdersWeight

News Sentiment Analysis

Sentiment gathered from recent headlines

59/100
Strong NegativeNeutralStrong Positive
MODERATELY BULLISH

Recent News Coverage

Most recent articles, ranked by recency (click to expand).

10+ articles
What did this article say?
Ulta Beauty closed the trading session at $578.87, up 2.01% amid a broader market decline. The retailer’s stock has gained 3.43% over the past month, outperforming the Retail‑Wholesale sector and the S&P 500. Analysts project earnings per share of $5.6 for the upcoming quarter, an 8.95% increase from the same period last year, and revenue of $2.99 billion, up 4.54% year‑over‑year. The consensus estimates for the full year anticipate earnings of $28.95 per share and revenue of $13.27 billion, reflecting positive growth expectations. Investors are monitoring Ulta’s earnings release for confirmation of these upward revisions.
What did this article say?
Ulta’s Q2 earnings were in line with analyst consensus, with revenue meeting expectations and no significant deviations reported. The company’s performance was described as satisfactory, reflecting steady business operations amid evolving e‑commerce trends. Share prices remained flat following the announcement, indicating market absorption of the results without a sharp reaction.
What did this article say?
Paris Hilton announced the debut of Iconic Queen Eau de Parfum, a new fragrance developed with Parlux, and will be sold through Ulta Beauty’s U.S. retail partnership. The launch expands the Iconic line with a regal, floral‑amber composition aimed at empowering consumers. The partnership reinforces Ulta’s strategy to offer exclusive, celebrity‑branded products that drive foot traffic and sales.
What did this article say?
Jefferies increased its price target for Ulta Beauty from $650 to $670 while keeping a buy recommendation. The brokerage cited the retailer’s strong market position and robust growth prospects as reasons for the upgrade. The new target reflects confidence in Ulta’s ability to sustain earnings momentum and capitalize on its expanding product portfolio.
What did this article say?
Ulta Beauty raised its fiscal 2026 earnings outlook after reporting a better‑than‑expected second quarter. The company posted $6.55 per share, up 13.3% YoY, and net sales of $3.04 billion, both above consensus. While operating margin improved modestly to 12.5%, management highlighted that digital momentum and loyalty engagement will be key to sustaining the higher baseline.
What did this article say?
Ulta Beauty announced a revised fiscal 2026 outlook with net sales growth of 6.7%‑7.2%, comparable sales growth of 3.2%‑3.7% and operating income growth of 8.3%‑9.3%. Management highlighted a projected earnings per share of $28.70‑$29.00, driven by higher returns on invested capital and expanding growth platforms. The company noted that traffic remains subdued and margin pressure could impact execution, underscoring the need to convert sales growth into durable earnings gains.
What did this article say?
Ulta Beauty’s shares climbed 20.7% over three months following a second‑quarter fiscal 2026 report that exceeded earnings and sales expectations. Net sales rose 8.9% to $3.04 billion and earnings per share increased 13.3% to $6.55. Management raised its full‑year outlook, projecting net sales growth of 6.7%‑7.2% and earnings of $28.70‑$29.00 per share. The rally was supported by stronger operating momentum, digital growth, and new business initiatives, though traffic, promotions, margins and valuation remain potential headwinds.
What did this article say?
Ulta Beauty (ULTA) was rated Buy by analysts, citing a discount to intrinsic value and strong growth prospects. The rating highlighted that the company’s expansion strategy extends beyond merely increasing store count, suggesting diversified revenue streams. Analysts noted that consumer pressures in the near term are expected to be manageable, reinforcing confidence in the company’s long‑term trajectory. The positive outlook reflects a belief that Ulta’s strategic initiatives will drive sustained earnings growth.
What did this article say?
Ulta Beauty widened its in‑store product lineup in September, adding Wavytalk, Flower Knows, and COSRX to physical aisles with exclusive tools and curated assortments. The move follows a strong 90‑day share price return of 21.76% and a 3‑year total shareholder return of 36.28%, underscoring durable momentum. By bringing online‑only brands into stores, Ulta aims to increase foot traffic and deepen brand partnerships, reinforcing its position as a leading beauty retailer.
What did this article say?
Ulta Beauty announced the addition of Flower Knows to 450 U.S. stores and a pop‑up event, while COSRX launched its 5‑Peptide Lip Collection in Ulta locations after an online debut. The moves reinforce Ulta’s strategy of curating exclusive, trend‑driven brands to attract shoppers seeking unique products. By expanding its in‑store assortment, Ulta aims to boost foot traffic and sales from high‑margin niche offerings.

Technical Analysis

Real-time indicators across multiple timeframes

100
BULLISH
Momentum rank against about 1,000 stocks and ETFs for this timeframe.
Unlock full technicals
Create a free account to access more indicators and deeper timeframe data.
Institutional & Hedge Fund Ownership
25 tracked managers · $8.61B combined position · 13 adding, 12 trimming, 0 unchanged (latest 13F filings)
ManagerTrendShares Held% of Co.Position ValueFiled
Vanguard Group Inc▲ Buy5,376,84812.56%$3.25B2026-01-29
BlackRock, Inc.▼ Sell4,026,1489.40%$1.82B2026-08-07
Geode Capital Management, LLC▼ Sell1,234,3042.88%$555.29M2026-08-12
Morgan Stanley▼ Sell1,041,6752.43%$469.78M2026-08-13
Norges Bank▲ Buy785,1651.83%$354.09M2026-08-12
Invesco Ltd.▼ Sell698,2181.63%$314.88M2026-08-14
Goldman Sachs Group Inc▲ Buy638,7341.49%$288.06M2026-08-14
Northern Trust Corp▲ Buy582,6501.36%$262.76M2026-08-13
Bank of America Corp▼ Sell576,9491.35%$260.19M2026-08-14
JPMorgan Chase & Co▼ Sell412,5400.96%$189.41M2026-08-12
AQR Capital Management LLC▼ Sell362,4130.85%$163.39M2026-08-14
AllianceBernstein L.P.▲ Buy214,4400.50%$112.09M2026-08-14
Wells Fargo & Company▼ Sell220,0800.51%$99.25M2026-08-14
Renaissance Technologies LLC▲ Buy177,7800.42%$80.18M2026-08-13
Citadel Advisors LLC▲ Buy145,1460.34%$65.46M2026-09-02
Citigroup Inc▲ Buy137,1030.32%$61.83M2026-08-03
Gotham Asset Management, LLC▲ Buy130,2140.30%$58.72M2026-08-14
Adage Capital Partners GP, L.L.C.▼ Sell100,8520.24%$45.48M2026-08-14
Balyasny Asset Management L.P.▲ Buy92,8610.22%$41.88M2026-08-14
Marshall Wace, LLP▲ Buy63,1650.15%$28.49M2026-08-13
Discovery Capital Management, LLC▲ Buy52,0000.12%$23.45M2026-08-14
Squarepoint Ops LLC▼ Sell41,1660.10%$18.57M2026-08-14
Neuberger Berman Group LLC▼ Sell33,3230.08%$15.03M2026-08-13
Prudential Financial Inc▼ Sell33,1170.08%$14.94M2026-08-12
Schonfeld Strategic Advisors LLC▲ Buy29,5300.07%$13.32M2026-08-14
Q2 2026 flow:576.5K sh bought ($260.59M)1.27M sh sold ($576.59M)net -689.7K sh (−$315.99M)
View full institutional holdings history →
Congressional Trading Activity
5 disclosed trades · ~$64.5K est. traded value · 1 buys, 4 sells
MemberChamberStateTypeAmountTradedFiled
Maria Elvira SalazarHouseFL27▲ Buy$15K - $50K2026-03-192026-04-21
Dan NewhouseHouseWA04▼ Sell$1K - $15K2025-12-112026-01-15
Valerie HoyleHouseOR04▼ Sell$1K - $15K2025-09-232025-10-10
Dan SullivanSenateAK▼ Sell$1K - $15K2023-08-222023-09-22
Dan SullivanSenateAK▼ Sell$1K - $15K2023-01-102023-02-13
View full congressional trading history →

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