Companies /Consumer Cyclical

Ulta Beauty Inc

NASDAQ: ULTA Specialty Retail
$564.12
▲ $7.01 (+1.26%) today
Markets closed · 2:18pm ET

Q3 2026 Earnings

Reported Dec 4, 2025, 4:07pm ET · SEC source
$5.14
Beat +11.73%
EPS · est. $4.60
$2.9B
Beat +5.70%
Revenue · est. $2.7B
+8.7%
Beating market
ULTA vs S&P since report
2 quarters
Consecutive EPS beats

Market Reaction

% change · around the report
−5%0+5%+10%Dec 4Dec 5report 4:07pm ETearnings+0.2%+7.3%
−5%0+5%+10%Dec 4Dec 5earnings+0.2%+7.3%
ULTA +7.3%S&P 500 +0.2%
−5%0+5%+10%Dec 4Dec 5report 4:07pm ETearnings+0.4%+7.3%
−5%0+5%+10%Dec 4Dec 5earnings+0.4%+7.3%
ULTA +7.3%NASDAQ +0.4%
−4%0+4%+8%Dec 3Dec 12report 4:07pm ETearnings−0.3%+6.7%
−4%0+4%+8%Dec 3Dec 12earnings−0.3%+6.7%
ULTA +6.7%S&P 500 −0.3%
−4%0+4%+8%Dec 3Dec 12report 4:07pm ETearnings−1.5%+6.7%
−4%0+4%+8%Dec 3Dec 12earnings−1.5%+6.7%
ULTA +6.7%NASDAQ −1.5%
+12.65%
Day of report
−2.03%
Next session
+0.01%
One week
+9.30%
30 days

S&P 500 over the same 30 days: +0.56%.

Did ULTA Beat Earnings? Q3 2026 Results

Ulta Beauty posted a standout third quarter of fiscal 2025, with <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2025/12/04/ulta-shares-soar-on-strong-q3-earnings-and-revenue/">shares rising on the results</a> as the beauty retailer reported earnings per share of $5.14, beating the $4.60 consensus estimate by 11.73%, while revenue of $2.86 billion topped expectations by 5.70% and climbed 12.9% year over year. The most material driver behind the beat was a sharp acceleration in comparable-store sales, which jumped 6.3% versus a near-flat 0.6% gain in the prior-year period, fueled by both a 3.8% rise in average ticket and a 2.4% increase in transactions, reflecting broad-based demand across categories and channels. The Space NK acquisition, adding 84 stores in the U.K. and Ireland, alongside 63 net new domestic locations, also padded the top line meaningfully. Management responded to the momentum by raising full-year guidance, now targeting net sales of approximately $12.30 billion and diluted EPS of $25.20 to $25.50, up from prior ranges of $12.00 to $12.10 billion and $23.85 to $24.30, respectively, signaling confidence heading into the holiday season.

Key Takeaways
  • Comparable sales increased 6.3%, driven by 3.8% increase in average ticket and 2.4% increase in transactions
  • Growth across all categories and channels with notable strength in ecommerce
  • Acquisition of Space NK contributing to net sales growth
  • 63 net new Ulta Beauty stores contributing to revenue
  • Lower inventory shrink and higher merchandise margin improved gross profit margin
  • Exciting assortment newness and new brand launches driving demand
  • Improved in-store and digital experiences and bold marketing efforts

“Our third quarter results exceeded our expectations, reflecting the steady progress and momentum our team is building as we execute our Ulta Beauty Unleashed Strategy. Exciting assortment newness, improved in-store and digital experiences, and bold marketing efforts are resonating with our guests and drove strong sales results, market share gains, and growth across all categories and channels, with notable strength in ecommerce.”

Ulta Beauty CEO, on the earnings call

Forward Guidance & Outlook

Ulta Beauty raised its fiscal 2025 guidance: net sales now expected to be approximately $12.3 billion (up from $12.0–$12.1 billion), comparable sales growth of 4.4%–4.7% (up from 2.5%–3.5%), operating margin of 12.3%–12.4% (narrowed from 11.9%–12.0%), and diluted EPS of $25.20–$25.50 (up from $23.85–$24.30). New stores (approximately 63), store remodel/relocation projects (43–48), share repurchases (approximately $900 million), capital expenditures ($425–$500 million), and depreciation/amortization (approximately $300 million) guidance remained unchanged.

ULTA YoY Financials

Q3 2026 vs Q3 2025 · SEC filings Q3 2025 Q3 2026
$0$800.0M$1.6B$2.4B$2.5B$2.9BRevenue$1.0B$1.2BGross Profit$323.4M$309.4MOperating Income$242.2M$230.9MNet Income
$0$800.0M$1.6B$2.4BRevenueGross ProfitOperating IncomeNet Income

Figures from SEC filings and company reports. Not investment advice.