Ulta Beauty, IncNasdaq: ULTA
Consumer Discretionary · Other Specialty Retail
$531.88
-1.04%
Vol: 356K
Research Digest
Friday, May 1, 2026
Ulta Beauty upgraded to Buy by Jefferies with $700 PT and launches Google Gemini AI shopping tool
Ulta Beauty received Jefferies upgrade to Buy with $700 price target on April 20, 2026, following April 2026 launch of Google Gemini-enabled AI shopping experiences. FY2025 net sales grew 9.7% to $12.4B; analyst consensus remains moderately bullish with $686 mean PT.
Previous Market Intelligence
13 daysApr 30Ulta Beauty launches AI shopping assistant and holds sold-out Beauty World expo with 3,000 attendees; partners with Google Gemini (April 16-22)Positive▶
Ulta Beauty held its highly anticipated sold-out Beauty World 2026 expo in Orlando on April 16 with over 3,000 attendees and 200+ brands, where three million people competed for 3,000 available spots (sold out in 71 minutes). On April 22, Ulta Beauty and Google announced Gemini-enabled shopping experiences, introducing agentic commerce in Google Search and Gemini app for personalized product recommendations and streamlined checkout. The company is expanding internationally with store openings in UAE (January), Dubai Mall (March), and Saudi Arabia (May). Jefferies upgraded ULTA to Buy with $700 PT, citing revitalized beauty cycle and improved merchandising. Analyst consensus: Buy with 12-month PT of $663.95.
Apr 29Ulta Beauty upgraded to Buy by Jefferies with $700 price target; Google Gemini partnership announcedPositive▶
Ulta Beauty received analyst upgrade to Buy from Hold at Jefferies on April 20, 2026 with price target raised to $700. Company announced Gemini-enabled AI shopping innovations on April 22, leveraging 46.7M loyalty members to build custom AI agents as digital beauty consultants. CEO Steelman pursuing aggressive store expansion strategy from current 1,514 stores targeting 1,800 stores. Company delivered record-breaking performance with 2025 sales up nearly 10% to $12.4B supported by 5.4% comp sales growth.
Apr 16Ulta Beauty closed fiscal 2025 with 5.8% comparable sales growth driven by strong fragrance, net sales up 9.7% to $12.4 billion.Mixed▶
Ulta Beauty reported fiscal 2025 results with net sales increasing 9.7% to $12.4 billion, driven by 5.8% comparable sales growth led by the fragrance category and the acquisition of UK beauty retailer Space NK. The company operates over 1,500 locations as the largest specialty beauty retailer in the U.S. However, shares have pulled back 20% amid rising operating costs and a cautious fiscal 2026 outlook. Ulta Beauty is holding Ulta Beauty World conference on April 16, 2026 in Orlando and expanding its marketplace strategy. Wall Street consensus rates ULTA as Moderate Buy with 15 out of 25 analysts issuing Strong Buy ratings and an average 12-month price target of $684.23, suggesting 28.2% upside potential.
Apr 15Ulta Beauty World 2026 event in Orlando; company navigates operating cost headwinds despite strong high-end sales.Mixed▶
Ulta Beauty hosted major Ulta Beauty World 2026 event on April 16 in Orlando with 200+ brands. Despite strong fragrance sales, shares pulled back 20% amid rising operating costs and cautious 2026 outlook. Goldman Sachs noted GLP-1 use creating demand for certain products. Spring Haul sale offered up to 30% off through April 18.
Apr 14Ulta Beauty World 2026 event April 16 in Orlando; insider selling noted April 7.Neutral▶
Ulta Beauty holding annual Beauty World event April 16 in Orlando with 200+ brands. Director George Mrkonic Jr. sold 452 shares on April 7 at $539.29. Spring Haul sale through April 18. Q4 2025 net sales $12.4B (+9.7%), comp sales +5.4%. FY2026 guidance $28.05-$28.55 EPS. Analyst average target $600.
Apr 13Ulta Beauty World event April 16; stock down 20% recently; guidance below consensus expectations.Negative▶
Ulta Beauty World event scheduled April 16 with 200+ brands. CEO Kecia Steelman and CFO presenting at J.P. Morgan Retail Round Up April 8. Stock declined 20% recently; company forecasts 6-7% sales growth vs. 9.7% prior year, below Wall Street expectations.
Apr 10Insider Director Sells $243K in ULTA Stock; Q4 Earnings Beat RevenueMixed▶
Q4 2025 revenue $3.90B (+11.8% YoY), EPS $8.01. FY 2026 guidance: 6-7% sales growth, EPS $28.05-$28.55. Director sold shares April 7.
Apr 9Ulta Beauty sees GLP-1 tailwind for hair and skincare products.Positive▶
Ulta Beauty CEO noted GLP-1 craze drives demand for anti-hairfall and skin elasticity products. FY2025 sales $12.39B (+11.8%). Net margin 9.31%. UBS maintains Buy, target $810 (April 3). Consensus "Moderate Buy" with $712.53 target (+34.8% upside). Q4 beat revenue, missed EPS. FY2026 guidance 6-7% growth vs 9.7% prior.
Apr 8Ulta Beauty CEO highlights GLP-1 trend driving demand for hair and skincare products.Positive▶
CEO noted GLP-1 medications driving demand for hair loss/skincare. Expanded store-based fulfillment to 1,000+ stores. UAE store opening at Mall of The Emirates.
Apr 7Growth Leadership Expanded; Execution Challenges MountMixed▶
Kristin Wolf promoted to Chief Strategy & Growth Officer, driving international expansion (UK, Mexico, Middle East) and AI personalization. Ulta crashed 10% in March on high costs and weak forecast, but recovering. CEO strategy targets 1,800 stores (vs 1,514 current). Loyalty program 46.7M members. Stock at $537.39 (+0.15% today).
Apr 6Ulta Beauty elevates Kristin Wolf to Chief Strategy & Growth Officer rolePositive▶
Ulta Beauty announced in March 2026 the promotion of Kristin Wolf to newly created Chief Strategy & Growth Officer role, expanding her responsibilities across corporate strategy, international expansion, new growth segments, and AI integration. The company reported Q4 and FY2025 strong results with 11.8% Q4 sales growth and 9.7% FY sales growth. FY2026 guidance projects 6-7% net sales growth and 9.4-11.4% EPS growth. Ulta is the first specialty beauty retailer on TikTok Shop and continues marketplace expansion.
Apr 3Ulta Beauty reported Q4 net sales up 11.8% YoY; elevated Kristin Wolf to chief strategy and growth officer.Mixed▶
Ulta Beauty reported Q4 fiscal 2025 net sales of $3.9 billion (up 11.8% YoY) with comparable sales growth of 5.8%. Full-year 2025 net sales reached $12.4 billion (up 9.7%). Kristin Wolf elevated to chief strategy officer focusing on AI integration. The stock fell 20.74% in March.
Apr 2Ulta Beauty posts 11.8% Q4 sales growth to $3.9B; joins TikTok Shop and elevates Kristin Wolf to chief strategy officerMixed▶
Ulta Beauty reported Q4 2025 net sales of $3.9 billion, up 11.8% YoY, with comparable sales up 5.8% driven by 4.2% increase in average ticket. FY2025 net sales reached $12.4 billion, up 9.7% YoY. The company joined TikTok Shop to expand discovery and reach younger customers, and elevated Kristin Wolf to chief strategy and growth officer focusing on corporate strategy and AI integration. Stock is up 2.92% weekly but down 20.74% monthly, trading below 50-day MA. Analyst consensus is "Moderate Buy" with average target of $671.27.
Sector Peers
| Company | Price | Day | 1M | Fwd P/E | Beta | Mkt Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ULTAULTA | $531.88 | -1.04% | -0.9% | 17.0x | 0.95 | $23.5B |
| TSCOTRACTOR | $33.81 | -3.68% | -22.7% | 15.1x | 0.75 | $18.5B |
| AMZNAMAZON.COM | $268.12 | +1.15% | +24.6% | 27.1x | 1.38 | $2.85T |
| TSLATESLA | $390.70 | +2.38% | +8.2% | 150.5x | 1.92 | $1.43T |
| HDHOME | $324.45 | -1.32% | +0.7% | 20.2x | 1.08 | $327.5B |
| MCDMCDONALD | $287.01 | -2.24% | -5.2% | 20.4x | 0.53 | $208.7B |
Key Fundamentals
RSI (14-Day)
52-Week Range
Moving Averages
Price below 200d MA — bearish structure.