ULTA

Ulta Beauty has been a trending stock with shares returning +15.7% over the past month, outperforming the S&P 500. The company is expected to post earnings growth of +9% for the current quarter and +12.9% for the fiscal year. However, with a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) rating and a C valuation grade indicating fair pricing relative to peers, the stock is expected to perform in line with the broader market in the near term.

Ulta Beauty stock closed at $603.21, up 1.96% and outperforming the S&P 500's 0.28% gain. The company is forecasted to report Q3 EPS of $5.6 (up 8.95% YoY) and revenue of $2.99 billion (up 4.54% YoY).

Full-year projections show earnings of $28.95 per share and revenue of $13.27 billion. ULTA currently holds a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) with a Forward P/E of 20.44, trading at a premium to its industry average of 15.69.

Ulta Beauty (ULTA) closed at $578.87, up 2.01%, outperforming the S&P 500. The stock has gained 3.43% over the past month.

Analysts project Q3 EPS of $5.6 (up 8.95% YoY) and full-year earnings of $28.95 per share (up 12.91% YoY). The company holds a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) with a Forward P/E of 19.6, trading at a premium to its industry average.

The beauty and cosmetics industry continues to attract investors through changing consumer preferences focused on product performance, ingredient quality, and affordability. Companies are innovating with personalized solutions, sustainable practices, and digital expansion. Three stocks highlighted are e.l.f. Beauty (Strong Buy), The Estee Lauder Companies (Buy), and Ulta Beauty (Hold), each addressing emerging trends through diverse brand portfolios and omnichannel strategies.

Sally Beauty Holdings (SBH) reported 11% global e-commerce growth in Q3 fiscal 2026, marking four consecutive quarters of double-digit online sales increases. The company's Sally segment saw e-commerce sales rise 20% to $52 million, while its Licensed Colorist On Demand service averaged over 5,200 weekly consultations with 28% new customer growth. Similar digital expansion strategies are being employed by competitors Ulta Beauty and Estée Lauder, reflecting broader retail trends toward omnichannel growth.

The article explains how the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) tool can help investors identify stocks likely to beat earnings expectations. It highlights two retail stocks—Starbucks and Ulta Beauty—both with positive ESP figures of +2.43% and +2.37% respectively, suggesting potential for positive earnings surprises ahead of their November and December 2026 earnings reports.

Ulta Beauty raised its fiscal 2026 sales, comparable-sales, and earnings guidance following a better-than-expected Q2 with $6.55 EPS (vs. $6.21 consensus) and $3.04B revenue. E-commerce grew at high-teens rate for the sixth consecutive quarter with strong omnichannel execution. However, the company faces tougher H2 comparisons, flat transaction growth, and only modest margin improvement, making execution critical to delivering the upgraded outlook.