Ulta Beauty Inc. (ULTA)

Ulta Beauty's stock price has experienced fluctuations in the past six months. As of October 24, 2025, the share price was $517.66, compared to $380.08 on October 28, 2024, indicating a significant increase over the past year. Over the last six months, the stock has shown a 35.68% increase. However, in April 2024, the company's shares fell 12% to $454.84. In August 2025, Ulta Beauty lowered its annual forecasts for earnings per share and net sales, citing slowing demand for beauty products. Despite this, analysts have generally maintained a "Moderate Buy" rating with an average price target of $550.38 as of October 27, 2025. The company reported strong quarterly earnings in August 2025, with $5.78 EPS, beating estimates, and a revenue increase of 9.3% year-over-year.

Demand for Ulta Beauty's products and services exhibits seasonality, often aligning with key retail periods and promotional events. The company hosts seasonal and limited-time events such as the "21 Days of Beauty," Black Friday deals, and Cyber Monday sales, which drive increased consumer interest and purchases. Ulta Beauty also offers seasonal employment opportunities, indicating an anticipated increase in demand during certain times of the year. The "Ultamate Rewards" loyalty program encourages consistent shopping, potentially smoothing out some demand fluctuations while still capitalizing on promotional periods.

Ulta Beauty, Inc. is a leading American specialty retailer of beauty products, operating within the Retail Trade sector and the Specialty Stores industry. The company offers a comprehensive range of branded and private label beauty products, encompassing cosmetics, fragrances, skincare, haircare, nail products, bath and body products, and professional hair products and salon styling tools. Ulta Beauty also provides salon services and e-commerce through its website, Ulta.com, and mobile applications. The company aims to provide a "one-stop-shop" for beauty, offering both high-end luxury brands and more affordable drugstore options.

Ulta Beauty primarily operates in the United States, with 1,445 stores as of February 1, 2025, across 50 states, with the majority of its stores are concentrated on the East Coast and in California. In August 2021, Ulta Beauty partnered with Target, expanding its reach by selling products in Target stores, with plans to be in 800 Target locations across the U.S. by 2022. The company has also initiated international expansion, debuting its first stores in Mexico in August 2025 through a collaboration with Axo, and is on track to open its first location in the Middle East in 2025. Additionally, Ulta Beauty acquired Space NK Limited, a British beauty retailer, in July 2025, marking its entry into the UK market.

Ulta Beauty generally maintains a strong brand reputation, recognized for its diverse product offerings and customer experience. The company has been acknowledged as a "Best Brand for Social Impact" by Forbes and among "America's Most Innovative Companies" by Fortune. Ulta Beauty's commitment to sustainability and social responsibility contributes positively to its image. Ulta Beauty launched UB Marketplace, a curated platform designed to accelerate the discovery of new brands and trends. Continued partnerships, such as the expansion of Ulta Beauty at Target, have broadened its inventory and market reach. Ulta Beauty is investing in next-gen technologies like AI and AR to enhance the customer experience.

Ulta Beauty, Inc. has a mixed ownership structure, with a significant portion held by institutional investors. As of December 31, 2024, institutional investors held approximately 92.09% of Ulta's shares, with a total value of holdings reaching $14.928 billion. Major institutional owners include Vanguard Group Inc., BlackRock, Inc., State Street Corp, Geode Capital Management, LLC, Capital Research & Management Co., Morgan Stanley, JPMorgan Chase & Co, Sanders Capital, LLC, and Price T Rowe Associates Inc. Individual ownership, including insiders, is a smaller percentage.