Latest news with #beautyindustry
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ulta Beauty, Inc. (ULTA): A Bull Case Theory
We came across a bullish thesis on Ulta Beauty, Inc. (ULTA) by @wallstengine on X (Twitter). In this article, we will summarize the bulls' thesis on ULTA. Ulta Beauty, Inc. (ULTA)'s share was trading at $407.04 as of 23rd May. ULTA's trailing and forward P/E were 16.06 and 17.89 respectively according to Yahoo Finance. A close-up of a customer's hands selecting beauty products from an online retailer. Ulta Beauty (ULTA) has been upgraded to Buy by Goldman Sachs with a price target raised to $423 from $384, marking a turning point in sentiment after a cautious stance since December 2022. The firm's previous hesitation stemmed from concerns about a slowdown in beauty category growth and erosion in prestige market share. However, entering FY25, Goldman believes these headwinds have bottomed, setting the stage for a rebound. The upgrade is driven by multiple catalysts. First, comp momentum is expected to accelerate in Q1 and throughout FY25, backed by encouraging quarter-to-date trends, an uptick in monthly active users since November 2024, and increased consumer engagement, as evidenced by rising search traffic around ULTA's popular '21 Days of Beauty' campaign. Second, competitive pressures from peers like Sephora may be easing, with ULTA showing improvement in new product rollouts, a key factor in regaining share and maintaining relevance with beauty consumers. Third, Goldman sees the company's FY25 guidance, especially on margin assumptions, as conservative. Given ULTA's history of outperforming on SG&A efficiency, there could be meaningful upside to profitability. Finally, from a valuation standpoint, the stock trades at 15.8x forward earnings, a discount to its three-year average of 17.9x, making it an attractive entry point. With consumer engagement improving, competitive dynamics stabilizing, and management conservatism in guidance offering potential beats, ULTA presents a compelling risk/reward setup for investors. Goldman's view signals a potential inflection in sentiment, as multiple tailwinds align to support reacceleration in both fundamentals and the stock's multiple. Previously, we have covered Ulta Beauty, Inc. (ULTA) in January 2025 wherein we summarized a bullish thesis by somalley3 on the Value Investing subreddit. The user highlighted the company's strong brand, loyal customer base, and unique positioning as the only retailer combining mass-market and prestige beauty products. Despite short-term challenges and a post-pandemic slowdown, the article argued that ULTA's solid fundamentals, efficient capital allocation, and expansion opportunities—particularly through Target and potential international growth—made the stock undervalued and attractive for long-term investors. Since our last coverage, the stock is down 6.41% as of 26th May. Ulta Beauty, Inc. (ULTA) is not on our list of the 30 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. As per our database, 47 hedge fund portfolios held ULTA at the end of the fourth quarter which was 40 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the risk and potential of ULTA as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than ULTA but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock. READ NEXT: 8 Best Wide Moat Stocks to Buy Now and 30 Most Important AI Stocks According to BlackRock. Disclosure: None. This article was originally published at Insider Monkey. Sign in to access your portfolio
National Post
a day ago
- Business
- National Post
Lisa Sequino Appointed President, Makeup Brand Cluster, The Estée Lauder Companies
Article content NEW YORK — The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE: EL) today announced the appointment of Lisa Sequino as the new President, Makeup Brand Cluster, responsible for leading the strategic direction and global growth of makeup, and overseeing the company's portfolio of makeup brands, including M·A·C, Bobbi Brown, Too Faced, Smashbox and GLAMGLOW. Ms. Sequino will report to Jane Hertzmark Hudis, Executive Vice President, Chief Brand Officer and will be effective in the role as of June 9, 2025. Article content Article content A respected leader with more than two decades of experience in the beauty industry, Ms. Sequino returns to The Estée Lauder Companies with a distinctive blend of deep institutional knowledge and proven success as a CEO. In her new role, she will be responsible for accelerating innovation and makeup trends, step-changing consumer recruitment and enhancing local relevance. Her appointment reflects the company's continued investment in strengthening its makeup category and unlocking long-term opportunity. Article content 'We are thrilled to welcome Lisa as the new leader of our makeup cluster,' said Jane Hertzmark Hudis. 'She is a powerful leader with a strong record of driving brand and business results. Her unique combination of strategic and conceptual thinking, entrepreneurial mindset and operational excellence makes her exceptionally well-suited to fast track our makeup cluster into its next phase of growth. Under Lisa's leadership, we are focused on winning with today's makeup consumer across generations, geographies and channels.' Article content With nine years of experience at The Estée Lauder Companies in senior roles across both global and North America businesses, Ms. Sequino's extensive familiarity with the company and its brands will enable her to quickly accelerate momentum across the makeup brand cluster. She served as Senior Vice President and General Manager of Estée Lauder – North America, where she led the go-to-market strategy and execution for the company's flagship brand in its home region. She later advanced to Senior Vice President, Brands – North America, where she oversaw a multi-brand portfolio across skincare, makeup, and fragrance, and was responsible for optimizing brand synergies and accelerating execution across categories and channels in the region. Article content Following her impactful tenure at the company, Ms. Sequino served as CEO of JLo Beauty, Jennifer Lopez's beauty brand, and most recently, was CEO of Supergoop!, where she fostered an indie and digital-first mindset to expand its global footprint. Under her leadership, Supergoop! captured emerging trends to launch innovative products for the brand – including tinted moisturizers, lip balms, and setting powders – that redefined the category for Supergoop! and broadened consumer usage occasions. Article content 'I'm excited to return to The Estée Lauder Companies to help drive the next chapter of growth in the makeup category,' said Lisa Sequino. 'There's tremendous opportunity to reach new makeup consumers globally by accelerating innovation and trends, fast-tracking consumer acquisition across channels, driving digital and social media, and assuring local relevance to win with today's makeup consumer. I look forward to partnering with the incredible teams behind M·A·C, Bobbi Brown, Too Faced, Smashbox, and GLAMGLOW to unlock new opportunities, scale impact, and drive meaningful business results.' Article content Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Statements in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include those in the various quotations. Although the Company believes that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions within the bounds of its knowledge of its business and operations, actual results may differ materially from the Company's expectations. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from expectations include the ability to successfully implement the Company's strategy, including Beauty Reimagined and the profit recovery and growth plan; successfully transition its leadership; and those other factors described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company assumes no responsibility to update forward-looking statements made herein or otherwise. Article content About The Estée Lauder Companies The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. is one of the world's leading manufacturers, marketers, and sellers of quality skin care, makeup, fragrance, and hair care products, and is a steward of luxury and prestige brands globally. The Company's products are sold in approximately 150 countries and territories under brand names including: Estée Lauder, Aramis, Clinique, Lab Series, Origins, M·A·C, La Mer, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, Aveda, Jo Malone London, Bumble and bumble, Darphin Paris, TOM FORD, Smashbox, AERIN Beauty, Le Labo, Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle, GLAMGLOW, KILIAN PARIS, Too Faced, the DECIEM family of brands, including The Ordinary and NIOD, and BALMAIN Beauty. Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content Article content Article content
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Hailey Bieber sent urgent warning by fans after billion dollar Rhode deal and husband Justin's cold reaction
HAILEY Bieber has been sent an urgent warning by fans after her billion dollar Rhode deal was unveiled. The beauty mogul and mother-of-one, 28, announced on Wednesday that Rhode - her beauty company - is being acquired by affordable makeup brand e.l.f. Beauty. 4 4 Hailey, who created the viral lip-gloss holder phone case, revealed the $1 billion deal this week when she expressed her excitement for the massive opportunity in a press release. The massive deal includes $600 million in cash, $200 million worth of e.l.f. Beauty stock, and a potential $200 million based on the brand's growth over the next three years. And amid the exciting news of Hailey's big bucks deal, fans are urging her to "run" from her husband Justin Bieber, 31, and quickly get a divorce. Justin and Hailey are married and share one son together, but fans think the Rhode founder should file for divorce as her husband continues to spark concern. On social media, one fan said: "Just a casual Hailey Bieber observer but she needs to take that $1B money and run from that man." While another penned: "ok so hailey is officially richer than justin beiber i think she can divorce him now." A third then said: "what is hailey bieber waiting for to divorce justin? like i know she has a plan. i'm soooo curious." CALLS FOR THE COUPLE TO DIVORCE While a fourth wrote: "Hailey should take that check, send the divorce papers, and RUN! I've seen so many videos where Justin treats her like crap and it makes my skin crawl. "I don't even know their personal lives like that but I hate seeing it. Good for her for growing her business this far!" And a fifth added: "JUSTIN COULD NEVER. GET THAT BAG AND THAT DIVORCE HAILEY." While a sixth penned: "If justin and hailey ever divorce and no prenup or post nup was signed sorrows and prayers." The partnership comes as Rhode continues to grow in popularity. "We can't wait to bring Rhode to more faces, places, and spaces," Hailey said in the press release. "From day one, my vision for Rhode has been to make essential skin care and hybrid makeup you can use every day." She continued: "Just three years into this journey, our partnership with e.l.f. Beauty marks an incredible opportunity to elevate and accelerate our ability to reach more of our community with even more innovative products and widen our distribution globally." Justin and Hailey's Relationship Timeline Photo credit: Patrick T. Fallon/AFP Justin and Hailey go way back as she met him when she was just 12 years old during a 2009 Today show appearance. In 2011, the two were pictured together along with Hailey's father at Justin's Never Say Never documentary premiere where she called him "cute." November 2014 Dating rumors began after they were spotted together at a Hillsong Church service. During an interview with E! News, Hailey denied they were together. They also rung in 2015 together. December 2015 Dating rumors surfaced again after Hailey was spotted on vacation with Justin and his family in Tulum, Mexico. Later that month, they rang in the New Year again, but this time, they were spotted kissing at Leonardo DiCaprio's New Year's Eve party in St. Barts, according to People. February 2016 Justin and Hailey acknowledged that they were in a relationship, but made it clear they were not exclusive. During another interview with E! News, Hailey said that the pair were "not an exclusive couple," adding, "relationships at this age are already complicated, but I don't really like to talk about it because it's between me and him." As for Justin, he spoke with GQ saying that Hailey was "someone I really love" but starting a serious relationship was not a good idea because there was already "a lot that [he had] to commit to," including a tour. Later that year, the pair split in a "very dramatic excommunication," according to People. June 2018 After Hailey and Justin called it quits, he got back together with Selena Gomez, but in May 2018, the pair called it quits for good. A few weeks later, Justin got back together with Hailey. "The common denominator, I promise you, is always church," Hailey told Vogue, via People. "By then we were past the drama. I just gave him a hug. By the end of the conference, he was like, 'We're not going to be friends.' I was like, 'We're not?' " The pair went on to have a number of PDA-filled public appearances, confirming their relationship was back on. July 2018 Justin and Hailey announced their engagement. He popped the question during a romantic dinner in the Bahamas while they were on vacation, according to People. "Hailey I am soooo in love with everything about you! So committed to spending my life getting to know every single part of you loving you patiently and kindly," Justin said in an Instagram post. September 2018 On September 13, 2018, Hailey and Justin tied the knot during a courthouse wedding in New York City. November 2018 Hailey changed her last name on social media from Hailey Rhode Baldwin to Hailey Rhode Baldwin Bieber. September 2019 Hailey and Justin had a wedding ceremony in front of their friends and family at the Montage Palmetto Bluff in Bluffton, South Carolina. Hailey was also revealed to be taking on the role of Rhode's chief creative officer and head of innovation, in addition to her being the founder. JUSTIN'S COLD RESPONSE Hailey's new business move and exciting news saw her husband Justin respond in a strange way. Instead of writing a sweet note or lengthy caption about Hailey's success, the hitmaker did something a little colder. Justin instead posted a glam snap of his wife and a screenshot of the statement she shared. He uploaded the offering without any form of caption. Fans were quick to spot the lacking caption, with one person writing: "Daddy's not allowed to do captions anymore." Another penned: "Went with the no caption this time around." While a third said: "No caption says a lot." And a fourth wrote: "He learned his lesson with the caption hahahahahahhaah." This comes after Justin shared a caption on social media where he revealed that he harshly told his wife that she would never appear on the cover of Vogue magazine. 4
Arab News
2 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
AI can be an ally but never replace human touch, says Mona Kattan
DUBAI: Embrace artificial intelligence, but do not fear it, said Mona Kattan, CEO of Kayali Perfumes, at the Arab Media Summit in Dubai on Wednesday. Kattan said resisting change in the industry would only hurt entrepreneurs, and they should learn to adapt. 'People are often scared and they don't understand that it can be a mutual existence. When e-commerce came about people thought malls would all shut down but malls are still around and people still love to go to them,' she explained. 'I love people, one of my core values is connection. I love bringing people together, we are so blessed to live in a world that has the ability to connect online,' she added. 'Social media will never go away, it's part of our nature now, embrace it, cultivate it and appreciate it,' she said. Kattan said she was passionate about social media before it became popular. 'When I moved to Dubai from the US in 2002, my mindset became global even prior to social media. Dubai is the melting pot of cultures and the future. I am so inspired by the people I meet,' she said. After launching her fragrance brand Kayali in 2018, Kattan was able to enter global markets and her brand is now sold in most of the major beauty stores in the world and is known for its luxurious and rich scents. 'Whenever you are passionate about what you are doing, that obsession is natural and you don't have to force it,' she said.
Forbes
3 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
What Went Wrong With Drunk Elephant
Once an iconic brand, Drunk Elephant is now facing an identity crisis with sales plummeting Drunk Elephant's sales dropped 65% in the past year, urging parent company Shiseido to call for a complete brand revamp. Once a cult brand and disruptor in the world of skincare, Drunk Elephant is an interesting case for what happens when a brand loses its voice and core audience and becomes untangled with short-lived viral exposure. Founded by Tiffany Masterson, Drunk Elephant was among the first brands to lead the clean skincare movement, offering products free of harsh or toxic components, while at the same time focusing on dermatologist-approved ingredients. Masterson formulated products containing active ingredients like AHAs, BHAs and Vitamin C, promising gentle and effective skincare. Through this positioning, the brand attracted both natural beauty fans and clinical skincare users, and quickly gained traction. Its colorful yet minimalist packaging stood out from competitors, helping the brand became very popular on social media and entering Sephora stores in 2015. By 2019, Drunk Elephant amassed $120 million in net sales and was ranked most popular skincare brand across all its retailers. It was acquired that same year by Shiseido for $845 million, making it one of the biggest skincare and beauty acquisitions of the decade. Under its new ownership, the brand expanded into body and haircare, entered new markets and grew its customer base, which mainly comprised women aged 25-40 with a budget to spend on premium skincare. Drunk Elephant sits in the prestige category, with products ranging between $20 and $100, making it a premium yet relatively mass-market brand unlike higher-end luxury skincare brands. As the trend grew bigger, safety concerns arose among parents, dermatologists as well as regulators, concerned about the effects of such adult and mature skincare products on kids. This 'Sephora kids' trend backfired and negatively impacted the brand's equity, creating a disconnect between the brand's core audience and its recent buzzworthy consumers. Tweens likely pushed away the brand's older customers, and bringing them back might be challenging. Sales plunged 65% in the past year, with the brand's main market - Americas - being the most affected in this sharp decline. Now, Shiseido is focused on 'rebuilding brand engagement' with a goal to 'leverage new messaging to drive awareness on clinical and high-performance skincare and drive offline consumer engagement by educating beauty advisors at retail touchpoints', as shared in the company's 2025 Q1 presentation. Will a brand revamp work? Given the intense competition in the skincare space, and the fact that now dozens of new clean and effective skincare brands have seen light of day since Drunk Elephant was born, the task might prove challenging. Drunk Elephant's current struggles are an unfortunate reminder of the risks of short-lived viral trends fueled by social media. The brand's detour into a much younger consumer group cost it both credibility and connection with its original audience, something that may take significant efforts to rebuild. As Shiseido attempts a reset, the challenge will not just to win back customers but to re-establish its brand voice and clear identity in a very crowded market. The clean and clinical skincare space Drunk Elephant helped define ten years ago is now highly competitive, making it even more essential for the brand to reclaim the unique, differentiated brand identity that helped it thrive.
