Ulta Beauty Announces Record First Quarter Fiscal 2021 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Ulta Beauty reported strong earnings for Q1 of fiscal 2021, with net sales climbing 65.2% to $1.9 billion, significantly outpacing Q1 of fiscal 2020. Comparable sales surged 65.9%, driven by an increase in transactions and average ticket size. Gross profit rose to $753.8 million with a margin of 38.9%. The company achieved diluted EPS of $4.10, compared to a loss of $1.39 in the prior year. Ulta updated its fiscal 2021 outlook, raising expected net sales to $7.7-$7.8 billion and comparable sales to 23%-25%.

Positive

• Net sales increased 65.2% to $1.9 billion.
• Comparable sales rose 65.9%, driven by a 52.5% increase in transactions.
• Gross profit increased to $753.8 million, margin improved to 38.9%.
• Operating income was $305.3 million, or 15.8% of net sales.
• Updated fiscal 2021 net sales outlook raised to $7.7-$7.8 billion.

Negative

• SG&A expenses increased to $443.9 million, driven by higher store payroll and advertising.

Ulta Beauty, Inc. (NASDAQ: ULTA) today announced financial results for the first quarter ended May 1, 2021.

		May 1,			May 2,			May 4,
(Dollars in millions)		2021			2020			2019
Net sales		$	1,938.5		$	1,173.2		$	1,743.0
Comparable sales			65.9%			(35.3)%			7.0%
Gross profit (as a percentage of net sales)			38.9%			25.9%			37.0%
Selling, general and administrative expenses		$	443.9		$	380.9		$	403.1
Operating income (as a percentage of net sales)			15.8%			(8.7)%			13.6%
Diluted earnings per share		$	4.10		$	(1.39)		$	3.26
New store openings, net			26			10			22

“The Ulta Beauty team delivered an outstanding start to the year, with sales and earnings exceeding fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019 first quarter levels,” said Mary Dillon, chief executive officer. “I want to thank all our associates for their continued efforts to deliver great experiences and support our business in an environment that continues to be very dynamic.”

“We have emerged from 2020 with strong momentum in our sales trends, market share gains, and consumer sentiment,” said Dave Kimbell, president. “As increasing consumer confidence, the relaxation of restrictions, and a desire for newness drive increased engagement with the beauty category, our differentiated model, combined with our ongoing efforts to create meaningful guest connections, position us well to lead through the category recovery.”

For the First Quarter of Fiscal 2021

• Net sales increased 65.2% to $1.9 billion compared to $1.2 billion in the first quarter of fiscal 2020. The net sales increase during the first quarter of fiscal 2021 was primarily due to the favorable impact in the U.S. from improving consumer confidence, government stimulus payments and the easing of COVID-19 restrictions.
• Comparable sales (sales for stores open at least 14 months, including stores temporarily closed due to COVID-19, and e-commerce sales) increased 65.9% compared to a decrease of 35.3% in the first quarter of fiscal 2020, driven by a 52.5% increase in transactions and an 8.8% increase in average ticket. Compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2019, comparable sales increased 7.0%.
• Gross profit increased to $753.8 million compared to $303.6 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2020. As a percentage of net sales, gross profit increased to 38.9% compared to 25.9% in the first quarter of fiscal 2020, primarily due to leverage in fixed costs due to higher sales; improvement in merchandise margins; lower salon expenses; and favorable channel mix shifts.
• Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses increased to $443.9 million compared to $380.9 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2020, primarily due to higher store payroll and benefits and higher advertising. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A expenses decreased to 22.9% compared to 32.5% in the first quarter of fiscal 2020, driven by an increase in net sales.
• There were no impairment costs recognized in the first quarter of 2021 compared to $19.5 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2020.
• Pre-opening expenses of $4.6 million were consistent with the first quarter of fiscal 2020.
• Operating income was $305.3 million, or 15.8% of net sales, compared to operating loss of $101.5 million, or (8.7)% of net sales, in the first quarter of fiscal 2020. Adjusted operating loss for the first quarter of fiscal 2020 was $81.9 million, or (7.0)% of net sales.
• Tax rate increased to 24.5% compared to 23.6% in the first quarter of fiscal 2020. The higher effective tax rate is primarily due to a decrease in the benefit of state tax credits.
• Net income was $230.3 million compared to net loss of $78.5 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2020. Adjusted net loss for the first quarter of fiscal 2020 was $63.6 million.
• Diluted earnings per share was $4.10, including a $0.03 benefit due to income tax accounting for share-based compensation, compared to diluted loss per share of $1.39 in the first quarter of fiscal 2020. Adjusted diluted loss per share for the first quarter of fiscal 2020 was $1.13.

Balance Sheet

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2021 totaled $947.5 million.

Merchandise inventories, net at the end of first quarter of fiscal 2021 increased $13.0 million to $1.4 billion compared to $1.3 billion at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2020. The increase in inventory was primarily driven by 26 net new stores and the opening of the Jacksonville, FL fast fulfillment center, partially offset by lower inventory due to higher than expected sales.

Share Repurchase Program

During the first quarter of fiscal 2021, the Company repurchased 1,243,209 shares of its common stock at a cost of $392.3 million. As of May 1, 2021, $1.1 billion remained available under the $1.6 billion share repurchase program announced in March 2020.

Store Update

Real estate activity in the first quarter of fiscal 2021 included 28 new stores located in Acworth, GA; Albertville, AL; Ames, IA; Bakersfield, CA; Beaumont, CA; Bradenton, FL; Canoga Park, CA; Cincinnati, OH; Easley, SC; Hadley, MA; Houston, TX; Ledgewood, NJ; Miami, FL; Mount Pleasant, MI; New York, NY; Novato, CA; Orange, CA; Panama City, FL; Salem, NH; Shallotte, NC; St. Johns, FL; Sumter, SC; Tampa, FL; Washington, PA; Watertown, MA; West Chester, OH; West Hartford, CT; and Wilmington, NC. In addition, the Company relocated one store and closed two stores.

The first quarter of fiscal 2021 ended with 1,290 stores totaling 13.6 million square feet, representing a 2.3% increase in square footage compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2020.

Fiscal 2021 Outlook

The Company has updated its outlook for fiscal 2021.

	Prior FY21 Outlook		Updated FY21 Outlook
Net sales	$7.2 billion to $7.3 billion		$7.7 billion to $7.8 billion
Comparable sales	15% to 17%		23% to 25%
New stores, net	40		no change
Remodel and relocation projects	21		19
Operating margin	approximately 9%		approximately 11%
Diluted earnings per share	$8.85 to $9.30		$11.50 to $11.95
Share repurchases	approximately $850 million		no change
Effective tax rate	24.8%		no change
Capital expenditures	$200 million to $250 million		$225 million to $250 million
Depreciation and amortization expense	$270 million to $280 million		no change

The Company’s outlook for fiscal 2021 assumes no material increases in the federal minimum wage and does not include assumptions for any impact related to a resurgence of COVID-19.

Non-GAAP Financial Information

In this press release, the Company provides information regarding adjusted operating loss, adjusted net loss, and adjusted diluted loss per share, which are not recognized terms under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and do not purport to be alternatives to operating loss, net loss, and diluted loss per share as measures of operating performance. A reconciliation of adjusted operating loss, adjusted net loss, and adjusted diluted loss per share is provided in this release. The Company believes the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures provides additional information on comparisons between periods by excluding certain items that affect overall comparability and provides investors with enhanced visibility into its results with respect to the impact of certain costs. Non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, and not as an alternative for, the Company’s reported results prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Conference Call Information

A conference call to discuss first quarter of fiscal 2021 results is scheduled for today, May 27, 2021, at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time / 3:30 p.m. Central Time. Investors and analysts interested in participating in the call are invited to dial (877) 705‑6003. The conference call will also be webcast live at http://ir.ultabeauty.com. A replay of the webcast will remain available for 90 days. A replay of the conference call will be available until 11:59 p.m. ET on June 10, 2021 and can be accessed by dialing (844) 512‑2921 and entering conference ID number 13718914.

About Ulta Beauty

At Ulta Beauty (NASDAQ: ULTA), the possibilities are beautiful. Ulta Beauty is the largest U.S. beauty retailer and the premier beauty destination for cosmetics, fragrance, skin care products, hair care products and salon services. In 1990, the Company reinvented the beauty retail experience by offering a new way to shop for beauty – bringing together all things beauty, all in one place. Today, Ulta Beauty operates 1,290 retail stores across 50 states and also distributes its products through its website, which includes a collection of tips, tutorials, and social content. For more information, visit www.ulta.com.

Ulta Beauty was recently added to the Bloomberg Gender Equality Index, which tracks the financial performance of public companies committed to supporting gender equality through policy development, representation and transparency. More information about Ulta Beauty’s corporate responsibility efforts can be found at http://ir.ultabeauty.com/Corporate-Responsibility/.

Forward‑Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which reflect the company’s current views with respect to, among other things, future events and financial performance. These statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “outlook,” “believes,” “expects,” “plans,” “estimates,” “targets,” “strategies” or other comparable words. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon the company’s historical performance and on current plans, estimates and expectations. The inclusion of this forward-looking information should not be regarded as a representation by the company or any other person that the future plans, estimates, targets, strategies or expectations contemplated by the company will be achieved. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation:

• The negative impacts the COVID-19 pandemic has had, and will continue to have, on the company’s business, financial condition, profitability, cash flows and supply chain, as well as consumer spending (including future uncertain impacts);
• epidemics, pandemics like COVID-19 or natural disasters that have and could continue to negatively impact the company’s sales;
• changes in the overall level of consumer spending and volatility in the economy, including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and/or government aid programs;
• a decline in operating results that has and may continue to lead to asset impairment and store closures charges;
• the company’s ability to sustain its growth plans and successfully implement its long-range strategic and financial plan;
• the company’s ability to gauge beauty trends and react to changing consumer preferences in a timely manner;
• the possibility that the company may be unable to compete effectively in its highly competitive markets;
• the company’s ability to execute its Efficiencies for Growth cost optimization program;
• the possibility that cybersecurity breaches and other disruptions could compromise the company’s information or result in the unauthorized disclosure of confidential information;
• the possibility of material disruptions to the company’s information systems;
• the possibility that the capacity of the company’s distribution and order fulfillment infrastructure and the performance of its distribution centers and fast fulfillment centers may not be adequate to support its recent growth and expected future growth plans;
• changes in the wholesale cost of the company’s products;
• the possibility that new store openings and existing locations may be impacted by developer or co-tenant issues;
• the company’s ability to attract and retain key executive personnel;
• the company’s ability to successfully execute its common stock repurchase program or implement future common stock repurchase programs; and
• other risk factors detailed in the company’s public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), including risk factors contained in its Annual Report on Form 10‑K for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2021, as such may be amended or supplemented in its subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

The company’s filings with the SEC are available at www.sec.gov. Except to the extent required by the federal securities laws, the Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Exhibit 1
Ulta Beauty, Inc. Consolidated Statements of Operations (In thousands, except per share data)
		13 Weeks Ended
		May 1,						May 2,
		2021						2020
		(Unaudited)						(Unaudited)
Net sales		$	1,938,519		100.0	%		$	1,173,210			100.0	%
Cost of sales			1,184,731		61.1	%			869,605			74.1	%
Gross profit			753,788		38.9	%			303,605			25.9	%
Selling, general and administrative expenses			443,875		22.9	%			380,912			32.5	%
Impairment costs			—		0.0	%			19,542			1.7	%
Pre-opening expenses			4,589		0.2	%			4,635			0.4	%
Operating income (loss)			305,324		15.8	%			(101,484	)		(8.7	)%
Interest expense, net			358		0.0	%			1,272			0.1	%
Income (loss) before income taxes			304,966		15.8	%			(102,756	)		(8.8	)%
Income tax expense (benefit)			74,677		3.9	%			(24,247	)		(2.1	)%
Net income (loss)		$	230,289		11.9	%		$	(78,509	)		(6.7	)%
Net income (loss) per common share:
Basic		$	4.13					$	(1.39	)
Diluted		$	4.10					$	(1.39	)
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic			55,795						56,419
Diluted			56,172						56,419

Exhibit 2
Ulta Beauty, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (In thousands)
		May 1,			January 30,			May 2,
		2021			2021			2020
		(Unaudited)						(Unaudited)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	947,456		$	1,046,051		$	1,043,540
Short-term investments			—			—			110,000
Receivables, net			154,342			193,109			88,691
Merchandise inventories, net			1,353,565			1,168,215			1,340,566
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			108,393			107,402			97,041
Prepaid income taxes			—			—			48,982
Total current assets			2,563,756			2,514,777			2,728,820
Property and equipment, net			960,440			995,795			1,148,341
Operating lease assets			1,487,616			1,504,614			1,583,490
Goodwill			10,870			10,870			10,870
Other intangible assets, net			2,233			2,465			3,159
Deferred compensation plan assets			34,279			33,223			25,388
Other long-term assets			28,350			28,225			30,483
Total assets		$	5,087,544		$	5,089,969		$	5,530,551
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity
Current liabilities:

FAQ

What were Ulta's earnings results for Q1 2021?

Ulta reported Q1 2021 net sales of $1.9 billion and diluted EPS of $4.10.

How did Ulta's comparable sales perform in Q1 2021?

Comparable sales increased by 65.9% in Q1 2021.

What is Ulta's updated fiscal 2021 outlook?

Ulta raised its fiscal 2021 outlook to net sales of $7.7-$7.8 billion and comparable sales growth of 23%-25%.