Latest news with #UltaBeautyUnleashed
Fashion United
3 hours ago
- Business
- Fashion United
Ulta Beauty announces interim CFO appointment, reaffirms 2025 guidance
Ulta Beauty, Inc. announced a change in its executive leadership, naming Chris Lialios, the company's senior vice president – controller, as interim chief financial officer, effective immediately. Lialios steps into this role following the departure of Paula Oyibo. The beauty retailer has initiated an external search for a permanent successor, enlisting the assistance of a leading executive search firm. Lialios brings extensive experience to his new interim position, having served as senior vice president – controller since 2018. In this capacity, he has been responsible for Ulta Beauty's financial reporting, internal controls, and accounting policy. His tenure with the company dates back to 1999, when he joined as assistant controller, where he was instrumental in leading finance transformation efforts. Since then, he has consistently held leadership roles of increasing responsibility within Ulta Beauty's accounting and finance organization. Kecia Steelman, president and chief executive officer of Ulta Beauty, expressed confidence in the interim appointment, stating, 'Chris has been a respected leader on Ulta Beauty's finance team for more than 25 years, and we are thankful to him for stepping into this important interim role as we conduct a search for our next CFO.' 'We're confident that his deep familiarity with our business coupled with his financial expertise and leadership style will ensure a smooth transition as we continue to execute our Ulta Beauty Unleashed plan,' Steelman added. In conjunction with this leadership announcement, Ulta Beauty reaffirmed its financial guidance for fiscal 2025, which was previously provided on May 29, 2025. The company continues to anticipate comparable store sales growth to be between 0 and 1.5 percent, an operating margin of between 11.7 percent and 11.8 percent, and diluted earnings per share (EPS) in the range of 22.65 dollars to 23.20 dollars.
Business Wire
18 hours ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Ulta Beauty Announces CFO Transition Process
BOLINGBROOK, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ulta Beauty, Inc. (NASDAQ: ULTA), today announced that Chris Lialios, the company's Senior Vice President – Controller, has been named Interim Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately. Mr. Lialios succeeds Paula Oyibo, who has left Ulta Beauty. The company has commenced an external search for a permanent successor with the assistance of a leading executive search firm. Mr. Lialios has served as Senior Vice President – Controller since 2018 with responsibility for the company's financial reporting, internal controls, and accounting policy. Mr. Lialios joined Ulta Beauty in 1999 as assistant controller, where he led finance transformation efforts across the company, and has held leadership positions of increasing responsibility within Ulta Beauty's accounting and finance organization since that time. He is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Illinois Chicago and an M.B.A. from Webster University. 'Chris has been a respected leader on Ulta Beauty's finance team for more than 25 years, and we are thankful to him for stepping into this important interim role as we conduct a search for our next CFO,' said Kecia Steelman, president and chief executive officer. 'We're confident that his deep familiarity with our business coupled with his financial expertise and leadership style will ensure a smooth transition as we continue to execute our Ulta Beauty Unleashed plan.' 'On behalf of the Ulta Beauty team and our Board of Directors, I want to thank Paula for her contributions and dedication to our company, guests and associates over the past six years, including serving as our CFO. We wish Paula all the best in her future endeavors,' Steelman continued. 'It has been my honor to serve as CFO for Ulta Beauty,' said Paula Oyibo, chief financial officer. 'I am extremely proud of our team's accomplishments and believe Ulta Beauty is well-positioned to execute the Ulta Beauty Unleashed plan.' In conjunction with this announcement, the company reaffirmed the guidance for fiscal 2025 provided in the company's press release issued on May 29, 2025, including the company's expectation that comparable store sales growth will be between 0% and 1.5%, operating margin will be between 11.7% and 11.8%, and diluted EPS will be between $22.65 and $23.20. About Ulta Beauty At Ulta Beauty (NASDAQ: ULTA), the possibilities are beautiful. Ulta Beauty is the largest specialty U.S. beauty retailer and the premier beauty destination for cosmetics, fragrance, skin care products, hair care products and salon services. In 1990, the company reinvented the beauty retail experience by offering a new way to shop for beauty – bringing together All Things Beauty. All in One Place®. Today, Ulta Beauty operates 1,451 retail stores across 50 states and distributes its products through its website, which includes a collection of tips, tutorials, and social content. For more information, visit Forward‑Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which reflect the company's current views with respect to, among other things, future events and financial performance. These statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as 'will', 'outlook,' 'believes,' 'expects,' 'plans,' 'estimates,' 'targets,' 'strategies' or other comparable words. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon the company's historical performance and on current plans, estimates and expectations. The inclusion of this forward-looking information should not be regarded as a representation by the company or any other person that the future plans, estimates, targets, strategies or expectations contemplated by the company will be achieved. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation: macroeconomic conditions, including inflation and elevated interest rates, as well as prior labor, transportation, and shipping cost pressures, have had, and may continue to have, a negative impact on our business, financial condition, profitability, and cash flows (including future uncertain impacts, especially when combined with increased tariffs); changes in the overall level of consumer spending and volatility in the economy, including as a result of macroeconomic conditions, tariffs, and geopolitical events; our ability to sustain our growth plans and successfully implement our long-range strategic and financial plan; the ability to execute our operational excellence priorities, including continuous improvement and supply chain optimization; our ability to gauge beauty trends and react to changing consumer preferences in a timely manner; the possibility that we may be unable to compete effectively in our highly competitive markets; the possibility of significant interruptions in the operations of our distribution centers, fast fulfillment center, and market fulfillment centers; the possibility that cybersecurity or information security breaches and other disruptions could compromise our information or result in the unauthorized disclosure of confidential information; the possibility of material disruptions to our information systems, including our website and mobile applications; the failure to maintain satisfactory compliance with applicable privacy and data protection laws and regulations; changes in the good relationships we have with our brand partners, our ability to continue to obtain sufficient merchandise from our brand partners, and/or our ability to continue to offer permanent or temporary exclusive products of our brand partners; our ability to effectively manage our inventory and protect against inventory shrink; changes in the wholesale cost of our products and/or interruptions at our brand partners' or third-party vendors' operations; epidemics, pandemics or natural disasters, which could negatively impact sales; the possibility that new store openings and existing locations may be impacted by developer or co-tenant issues; our ability to attract and retain key executive personnel; the impact of climate change on our business operations and/or supply chain; our ability to successfully execute our common stock repurchase program or implement future common stock repurchase programs; a decline in operating results which could lead to asset impairment and store closure charges; and other risk factors detailed in the company's public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), including risk factors contained in its Annual Report on Form 10‑K for the fiscal year ended February 1, 2025, as such may be amended or supplemented in its subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. The company's filings with the SEC are available at Except to the extent required by the federal securities laws, the company does not undertake to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ulta Beauty Stock (ULTA) Maintains Bold Comeback Following Q1 Beat
After a rocky couple of years, Ulta Beauty (ULTA) is staging a fierce comeback, with its stock surging and its investment case looking increasingly better by the quarter. Evidently, the company's Q1 results posted just last week lit a spark under the stock, showcasing robust comparable sales growth, strategic wins, and an aggressive share buyback program. Easily unpack a company's performance with TipRanks' new KPI Data for smart investment decisions Receive undervalued, market resilient stocks right to your inbox with TipRanks' Smart Value Newsletter Despite its recent rally, I believe Ulta Beauty still offers attractive value, making it a compelling choice for long-term investors. Here's why I remain bullish on the stock. Walking into an Ulta store these days feels like stepping into a bustling beauty bazaar, and the numbers certainly back up that vibe. In Q1, Ulta reported a 2.9% increase in comparable sales, blowing past Wall Street's modest expectations of just 0.2% growth. This uptick, driven by a 2.3% rise in average ticket size and a 0.6% increase in transactions, shows Ulta is pulling customers back in a big way, even in the face of the brutal competition facing the beauty industry these days. Under new CEO Kecia Steelman, the company's 'Ulta Beauty Unleashed' plan is resonating, with fresh promotions and a beefed-up loyalty program, now boasting a record 44.6 million members and keeping shoppers hooked. One could argue that this is a one-quarter fluke. However, Ulta's focus on exclusive products and in-store experiences, like their expanded Target shop-in-shops, is undeniably driving traffic. There is no reason to think that this trend will fade soon, especially since Ulta is coming off some difficult quarters (hence the stock's underperformance in 2024), and the recent numbers indicate that a proper rebound has now been established. To be frank, the company's ability to outpace estimates in such a tough retail environment (particularly competition-wise) signals a consumer base that's still willing to splurge on beauty, even during a period of economic uncertainty. One of the more interesting takeaways from Ulta's report is that the company isn't solely relying on its core business to drive growth, but is instead exploring new opportunities. During the earnings call, executives talked about plans to expand into Mexico and the Middle East this year. They've already opened six new stores this quarter, bringing their total to 1,451, after adding 100 Ulta Beauty stores at Target locations last year. Interestingly, these moves don't necessarily seem to be about expanding square footage (as is the case with retailers), but rather about making Ulta a go-to destination for beauty lovers everywhere. Then there's the loyalty program, which grew 3% last year to the 44.6 million mark. It's a sticky ecosystem that keeps customers coming back, and Ulta is doubling down with digital upgrades and personalized marketing. When you pair these efforts with exclusive brand launches, you can see how Ulta can claw back market share from competitors like Sephora and Amazon, even as those giants loom large. Ulta has a tremendous track record of share repurchases. It has essentially been using the majority of its free cash flow over the years to repurchase as many shares as possible. For context, over the past decade, Ulta has reduced its share count by 30%. In Q1, this trend endured, with Ulta repurchasing $249.5 million worth of stock. With $2.7 billion still available under their $3 billion program, Ulta is signaling confidence in its future and the stock's present valuation. I love seeing a company bet on itself like this. Management is like they're saying, 'We know we're undervalued, and we're not afraid to prove it.' Regarding Ulta's valuation, even after the stock's post-earnings rebound, it's still trading at just 20x this year's expected EPS. Considering that sales are on the rebound, margins are stabilizing, and buybacks are continually reducing the share count, EPS growth is expected to pick up in the coming years. In fact, repurchasing shares at today's valuation is likely to prove exceptionally accretive in the long term. Therefore, I believe that the current multiple undervalues Ulta's medium-term prospects. Despite the stock's recent rebound, Wall Street remains optimistic about Ulta. The stock still features a Moderate Buy consensus rating, with 12 analysts currently bullish, 12 neutral, and just one bearish. Now, Ulta's average stock forecast of $470.04 indicates marginal downside potential over the coming twelve months. Ulta Beauty appears to be regaining its momentum. The company delivered strong comparable sales, executed key strategic initiatives, and continues to return value to shareholders through a robust buyback program. Trading at roughly 20 times earnings, Ulta offers a compelling blend of value and growth—an uncommon combination in the often-volatile retail sector. With a meaningful margin of safety and solid upside potential, the stock presents a highly attractive investment opportunity at current levels. Disclaimer & DisclosureReport an Issue Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ulta Beauty Soars 11.2% on Earnings Beat and Upgraded Outlook
Ulta Beauty (NASDAQ:ULTA) just wrapped its first quarter with a better-than-expected finish, pushing past Wall Street's forecasts with $2.85 billion in revenue and earnings of $6.70 per share. The earning results drove the share price up 11.2% at 12.35pm today. The beauty retailer saw modest gains in foot traffic and average ticket size, but what really stood out was management's tonemeasured optimism, with a side of realism. CEO Kecia Steelman said their new "Ulta Beauty Unleashed" strategy is gaining traction, but also flagged a fluid environment that could reshape consumer demand as the year plays out. The company dialed up its full-year guidance slightly, now projecting up to 1.5% comp sales growth (up from 1%) and bumping its EPS range to $22.65$23.20. Still, some signals warrant a second look: gross margin dipped slightly to 39.1%, SG&A climbed to nearly 25% of sales, and inventories jumped 11%likely tied to new brand launches and store expansion. Ulta also maintained its full-year operating margin forecast at 11.7%11.8%, suggesting no major shifts in underlying cost dynamics. One thing that hasn't slowed down? Buybacks. Ulta scooped up nearly $359 million of its own shares this quarter, with another $2.3 billion left to deploy. The store count rose to 1,451 locations, and plans for 60 net new stores are holding steady. For now, the business looks steadybut how consumer spending evolves heading into the second half could be what defines the stock's next move. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Wire
29-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Ulta Beauty Announces First Quarter Fiscal 2025 Results
BOLINGBROOK, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ulta Beauty, Inc. (NASDAQ: ULTA) today announced financial results for the thirteen-week period ('first quarter') ended May 3, 2025. 'Fiscal 2025 is off to an encouraging start with stronger-than-expected performance. Our Ulta Beauty Unleashed plan is resonating with guests, energizing our team, and fueling growth," said Kecia Steelman, president and chief executive officer. "The operating environment is fluid, and our outlook reflects uncertainty around how consumer demand could evolve. We believe our model uniquely positions us to win, and we will continue to focus on serving our guests while staying agile as we move through the year." First Quarter of Fiscal 2025 Compared to First Quarter of Fiscal 2024 Net sales increased 4.5% to $2.8 billion compared to $2.7 billion, primarily due to increased comparable sales and new store contribution, partially offset by a decrease in other revenue. Comparable sales (sales for stores open at least 14 months and e-commerce sales) increased 2.9% compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2024, driven by a 2.3% increase in average ticket and a 0.6% increase in transactions. Gross profit increased 4.2% to $1.11 billion compared to $1.07 billion. As a percentage of net sales, gross profit decreased to 39.1% compared to 39.2%, primarily due to deleverage of store and supply chain fixed costs and lower other revenue, partially offset by lower inventory shrink. Selling, general and administrative ('SG&A') expenses increased 6.7% to $710.6 million compared to $665.9 million. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A expenses increased to 24.9% compared to 24.4%, primarily due to deleverage of store payroll and benefits and store expenses, partially offset by leverage of corporate overhead. Operating income was $401.8 million, or 14.1% of net sales, compared to $400.9 million, or 14.7% of net sales. The tax rate increased to 24.6% compared to 23.2%, primarily due to a reduced benefit from income tax accounting for stock-based compensation. Net income was $305.1 million compared to $313.1 million. Diluted earnings per share was $6.70, including a $0.01 benefit due to income tax accounting for stock-based compensation, compared to $6.47, including a $0.10 benefit due to income tax accounting for stock-based compensation. Balance Sheet Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2025 totaled $454.6 million. Merchandise inventories, net at the end of first quarter of fiscal 2025 increased 11.3% to $2.1 billion compared to $1.9 billion at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2024. The increase was primarily due to inventory to support new brand launches, strategic investments in key categories, and 56 net new stores. Share Repurchase Program During the first quarter of fiscal 2025, the Company repurchased 986,733 shares of its common stock at a cost of $358.7 million. As of May 3, 2025, $2.3 billion remained available under the $3.0 billion share repurchase program announced in October 2024. Store Update During the first quarter of fiscal 2025, the Company opened six new stores, remodeled four stores, and relocated two stores. At the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2025 the Company operated 1,451 stores totaling 15.2 million square feet. Fiscal 2025 Outlook The Company has updated its outlook for fiscal 2025. Conference Call Information A conference call to discuss first quarter of fiscal 2025 results is scheduled for today, May 29, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time / 3:30 p.m. CT. Investors and analysts who are interested in participating in the call are invited to register for the live event at A replay will be available on the company's Investor Relations website at approximately two hours following the live call for a period of 30 days. About Ulta Beauty At Ulta Beauty (NASDAQ: ULTA), the possibilities are beautiful. Ulta Beauty is the largest specialty U.S. beauty retailer and the premier beauty destination for cosmetics, fragrance, skin care products, hair care products and salon services. In 1990, the Company reinvented the beauty retail experience by offering a new way to shop for beauty – bringing together All Things Beauty. All in One Place ®. Today, Ulta Beauty operates 1,451 retail stores across 50 states and also distributes its products through its website, which includes a collection of tips, tutorials, and social content. For more information, visit Forward‑Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which reflect the company's current views with respect to, among other things, future events and financial performance. These statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as 'outlook,' 'believes,' 'expects,' 'plans,' 'estimates,' 'targets,' 'strategies' or other comparable words. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon the company's historical performance and on current plans, estimates and expectations. The inclusion of this forward-looking information should not be regarded as a representation by the company or any other person that the future plans, estimates, targets, strategies or expectations contemplated by the company will be achieved. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation: macroeconomic conditions, including inflation and elevated interest rates, as well as prior labor, transportation, and shipping cost pressures, have had, and may continue to have, a negative impact on our business, financial condition, profitability, and cash flows (including future uncertain impacts, especially when combined with increased tariffs); changes in the overall level of consumer spending and volatility in the economy, including as a result of macroeconomic conditions, tariffs, and geopolitical events; our ability to sustain our growth plans and successfully implement our long-range strategic and financial plan; the ability to execute our operational excellence priorities, including continuous improvement and supply chain optimization; our ability to gauge beauty trends and react to changing consumer preferences in a timely manner; the possibility that we may be unable to compete effectively in our highly competitive markets; the possibility of significant interruptions in the operations of our distribution centers, fast fulfillment center, and market fulfillment centers; the possibility that cybersecurity or information security breaches and other disruptions could compromise our information or result in the unauthorized disclosure of confidential information; the possibility of material disruptions to our information systems, including our website and mobile applications; the failure to maintain satisfactory compliance with applicable privacy and data protection laws and regulations; changes in the good relationships we have with our brand partners, our ability to continue to obtain sufficient merchandise from our brand partners, and/or our ability to continue to offer permanent or temporary exclusive products of our brand partners; our ability to effectively manage our inventory and protect against inventory shrink; changes in the wholesale cost of our products and/or interruptions at our brand partners' or third-party vendors' operations; epidemics, pandemics or natural disasters, which could negatively impact sales; the possibility that new store openings and existing locations may be impacted by developer or co-tenant issues; our ability to attract and retain key executive personnel; the impact of climate change on our business operations and/or supply chain; our ability to successfully execute our common stock repurchase program or implement future common stock repurchase programs; a decline in operating results which could lead to asset impairment and store closure charges; and other risk factors detailed in the Company's public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), including risk factors contained in its Annual Report on Form 10‑K for the fiscal year ended February 1, 2025, as such may be amended or supplemented in its subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. The Company's filings with the SEC are available at Except to the extent required by the federal securities laws, the Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Exhibit 1 Exhibit 2 Ulta Beauty, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (In thousands) May 3, February 1, May 4, (Unaudited) (Unaudited) Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 454,629 $ 703,201 $ 524,596 Receivables, net 225,146 223,334 203,463 Merchandise inventories, net 2,121,519 1,968,214 1,906,040 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 138,396 129,113 126,529 Prepaid income taxes — 4,946 — Total current assets 2,939,690 3,028,808 2,760,628 Property and equipment, net 1,251,287 1,239,295 1,195,658 Operating lease assets 1,658,834 1,609,870 1,561,767 Goodwill 10,870 10,870 10,870 Other intangible assets, net — 204 434 Deferred compensation plan assets 47,467 47,951 45,718 Other long-term assets 78,541 64,695 56,864 Total assets $ 5,986,689 $ 6,001,693 $ 5,631,939 Liabilities and stockholders' equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 537,518 $ 563,761 $ 463,777 Accrued liabilities 346,960 380,241 332,692 Deferred revenue 462,843 500,585 398,729 Current operating lease liabilities 285,764 288,114 284,815 Accrued income taxes 130,765 46,777 92,711 Total current liabilities 1,763,850 1,779,478 1,572,724 Non-current operating lease liabilities 1,689,439 1,635,120 1,607,953 Deferred income taxes 46,013 42,593 89,556 Other long-term liabilities 57,084 56,149 60,963 Total liabilities 3,556,386 3,513,340 3,331,196 Commitments and contingencies Total stockholders' equity 2,430,303 2,488,353 2,300,743 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 5,986,689 $ 6,001,693 $ 5,631,939 Expand Exhibit 3 Ulta Beauty, Inc. Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (In thousands) 13 Weeks Ended May 3, May 4, 2025 2024 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) Operating activities Net income $ 305,052 $ 313,113 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 72,033 64,739 Non-cash lease expense 91,105 77,938 Deferred income taxes 3,420 3,635 Stock-based compensation expense 11,418 10,082 Loss on disposal of property and equipment 892 2,975 Equity net loss of affiliate 628 — Change in operating assets and liabilities: Receivables (1,812 ) 4,476 Merchandise inventories (153,305 ) (163,904 ) Prepaid expenses and other current assets (9,283 ) (10,931 ) Income taxes 88,934 85,652 Accounts payable (24,920 ) (74,069 ) Accrued liabilities (32,716 ) (43,846 ) Deferred revenue (37,742 ) (37,862 ) Operating lease liabilities (88,100 ) (83,500 ) Other assets and liabilities (5,583 ) 10,842 Net cash provided by operating activities 220,021 159,340 Investing activities Capital expenditures (79,031 ) (91,024 ) Other investments (7,346 ) (2,563 ) Net cash used in investing activities (86,377 ) (93,587 ) Financing activities Repurchase of common shares (369,786 ) (289,431 ) Stock options exercised 481 8,913 Purchase of treasury shares (12,911 ) (23,283 ) Debt issuance costs — (3,950 ) Net cash used in financing activities (382,216 ) (307,751 ) Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (248,572 ) (241,998 ) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 703,201 766,594 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 454,629 $ 524,596 Expand Exhibit 4 Ulta Beauty, Inc. Store Update Total stores open Number of stores Number of stores Total stores at beginning of the opened during the closed during the open at 1 st Quarter 1,445 6 0 1,451 Expand Gross square feet for Total gross square stores opened or Gross square feet for Total gross square Fiscal 2025 the quarter quarter during the quarter quarter 1 st Quarter 15,110,170 53,037 0 15,163,207 Expand Exhibit 5 Ulta Beauty, Inc. Sales by Category The following table sets forth the approximate percentage of net sales by primary category: 13 Weeks Ended May 3, May 4, 2025 2024 Cosmetics 40% 42% Skincare and wellness 25% 23% Haircare 18% 19% Fragrance 11% 10% Services 4% 4% Other 2% 2% 100% 100% Expand
