Ulta Beauty, Inc. (ULTA)
Ulta Beauty is a major American retailer that brings together high-end cosmetics, affordable drugstore brands, and professional salon services under one roof.
Is Ulta Beauty, Inc. a good stock for a UK beginner?
The honest version: Ulta Beauty is a major American retailer that brings together high-end cosmetics, affordable drugstore brands, and professional salon services under one roof.
Over about 2 years to 2026-07-31. This is the share price only; any dividends would add to it. And it's the USD return - as a UK investor your actual £ return also moves with the exchange rate. Past performance is not a guide to the future, and it could just as easily have fallen.
Based on beta - how much the price swings versus the whole market. Bumpier isn't bad; it just means a rougher ride, which matters more the sooner you might need the money.
Prices move on results, news and the mood of the whole market - no single headline explains a day, and a quiet week is usually just noise, not a signal.
Dominance in the beauty retail sector and successful digital integration.
Long-term shift in consumer habits away from physical retail stores.
What does Ulta Beauty, Inc. do?
Ulta operates a unique 'all things beauty' model, selling everything from luxury perfumes to everyday shampoo while offering hair and skin treatments in-store. Acting as a one-stop shop for beauty enthusiasts, it earns by encouraging customers to browse both premium and budget-friendly items during a single visit. What matters most is how they hold onto their popularity as competition from other retailers and online beauty platforms heats up.
On our factor screen it looks strongest on value and quality, and weakest on income.
- !Pays no dividend - the whole return rides on the share price
- ✓Growing - revenue up about 11% over the year
- ✓Strong return on shareholder money (ROE 47%)
- Strong brand recognition in the US beauty market
- High return on equity shows efficient use of capital
- Diverse product range covering both luxury and budget segments
- Income screens low (16/100)
- Changes in consumer fashion and beauty trends
- Economic downturns reducing spending on non-essential items
- Rising costs of goods and store operations
What do Ulta Beauty, Inc.'s numbers mean?
How much money does Ulta Beauty, Inc. make?
Revenue and profit by quarter, and how much of each sale turns into profit.
Does Ulta Beauty, Inc. pay a dividend?
No - Ulta Beauty, Inc. doesn't currently pay a dividend, so the whole return would rest on the share price. Plenty of growing companies reinvest their profits instead of paying them out - neither approach is better or worse, they're just different.
When does Ulta Beauty, Inc. report earnings, and how did recent quarters go?
Ulta Beauty, Inc. is next scheduled to report on about 2026-08-27 - dates can move, and we don't predict results; this just tells you when to look.
Each quarter a company reports its results against what analysts expected. ‘Beating’ or ‘missing’ is about that expectation, not whether the business is doing well in absolute terms.
| Reported | Expected EPS: The earnings per share analysts expected for the quarter - the average of their forecasts. 'Beating' or 'missing' is measured against this number. | Actual EPS | vs expected |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-02 | $6.89 | $7.74 | Beat +12% |
| 2026-03-12 | $8.03 | $8.01 | In line |
| 2025-12-04 | $4.61 | $5.14 | Beat +12% |
| 2025-08-28 | $5.10 | $5.78 | Beat +13% |
| 2025-05-29 | $5.80 | $6.70 | Beat +16% |
| 2025-03-13 | $7.14 | $8.46 | Beat +18% |
Across the last 6 quarters here, Ulta Beauty, Inc. came in ahead of what analysts expected 5 times. One quarter is noise, not a trend.
See who else reports over the next two weeks →
Reported vs expected earnings per share (EPS) from published results; the expectation is the analyst consensus, not our view. Report dates are estimates that can move.
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Casey's General Stores, Inc.What are the scenarios for Ulta Beauty, Inc.?
An illustrative range for the year ahead, with the assumption behind each case — not a prediction or a price target.
What are the pros and cons of Ulta Beauty, Inc.?
How many points the write-up makes each way — a balance check, not a score or verdict.
- Strong brand recognition in the US beauty market
- High return on equity shows efficient use of capital
- Diverse product range covering both luxury and budget segments
- No dividend payments for shareholders
- High price-to-book ratio suggests a premium valuation
- Operates in a highly competitive retail environment
- Changes in consumer fashion and beauty trends
- Economic downturns reducing spending on non-essential items
- Rising costs of goods and store operations
The write-up's own warning lights — if these start happening, the case above changes.
- A significant and sustained decline in quarterly revenue growth
- Loss of key brand partnerships that drive store traffic
Built from public filings & market prices, checked for an education-only tone, and never a price target. How we make these →
This plain-English summary was auto-generated on 2026-08-01 from public data and checked for an education-only, no-advice tone (the figures above carry their own, usually fresher, 'as of' date). It's information, never a recommendation.