For the quarter ended January 2026, Ulta Beauty (ULTA) reported revenue of $3.9 billion, up 11.8% over the same period last year. EPS came in at $8.01, compared to $8.46 in the year-ago quarter.
The reported revenue compares to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.81 billion, representing a surprise of +2.2%. The company delivered an EPS surprise of +0.07%, with the consensus EPS estimate being $8.01.
While investors scrutinize revenue and earnings changes year-over-year and how they compare with Wall Street expectations to determine their next move, some key metrics always offer a more accurate picture of a company's financial health.
Since these metrics play a crucial role in driving the top- and bottom-line numbers, comparing them with the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated about them helps investors better project a stock's price performance.
Here is how Ulta performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:- Comparable sales - YoY change: 5.8% versus the nine-analyst average estimate of 4.1%.
- Total stores open at end of the quarter: 1,591 versus the seven-analyst average estimate of 1,509.
- Number of stores opened during the quarter: 7 compared to the 10 average estimate based on six analysts.
- Net Sales by Primary Category - Other: 2% versus the two-analyst average estimate of 2%.
- Net Sales by Primary Category - Fragrance: 17% versus the two-analyst average estimate of 19%.
- Net Sales by Primary Category - Haircare: 19% compared to the 19% average estimate based on two analysts.
- Net Sales by Primary Category - Cosmetics: 35% versus the two-analyst average estimate of 37%.
- Net Sales by Primary Category - Services: 3% versus the two-analyst average estimate of 3.1%.
View all Key Company Metrics for Ulta here>>>
Shares of Ulta have returned -4.5% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -2.3% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating that it could perform in line with the broader market in the near term.Zacks Names #1 Semiconductor Stock
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This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
