Ulta Beauty (NASDAQ: ULTA) lifts 2025 sales and sets 2026 growth guidance
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Ulta Beauty reported higher sales but lower margins for the fourth quarter and fiscal 2025. Fourth-quarter net sales rose to $3,898.4 million from $3,487.6 million, with comparable sales up 5.8%. Diluted earnings per share were $8.01, down from $8.46, as operating margin slipped to 12.2% from 14.8%.
For fiscal 2025, net sales increased to $12,392.8 million from $11,295.7 million, and comparable sales grew 5.4%. Full-year diluted EPS edged up to $25.64 from $25.34, while operating margin declined to 12.4%. Year-end cash was $424.2 million and inventories were $2.2 billion, up 10.8%, reflecting new brands, the Space NK acquisition, and 60 net new U.S. stores.
The company invested $434.8 million in capital expenditures and repurchased 2.0 million shares for $890.5 million, leaving $1.8 billion under its $3.0 billion authorization. For fiscal 2026, Ulta Beauty guides net sales growth of 6% to 7%, comparable sales growth of 2.5% to 3.5%, operating income growth of 6% to 9%, diluted EPS of $28.05 to $28.55, and capital spending of $400 million to $450 million.
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Insights
Ulta shows solid top-line growth and cautious but healthy 2026 guidance, offset by margin pressure.
Ulta Beauty delivered strong revenue momentum in fiscal 2025, with net sales rising to $12.39 billion from $11.30 billion and comparable sales up 5.4%. Fourth-quarter net sales also increased, and comps accelerated to 5.8%, indicating healthy traffic and ticket trends.
Profitability, however, compressed. Full-year operating margin declined to 12.4% from 13.9%, and fourth-quarter operating margin fell to 12.2%. Diluted EPS was essentially flat year over year at $25.64 versus $25.34, showing that higher sales did not translate into proportional earnings growth.
Management is guiding fiscal 2026 net sales growth of 6% to 7%, comparable sales growth of 2.5% to 3.5%, and operating income growth of 6% to 9%, with diluted EPS of $28.05 to $28.55. This points to continued expansion, supported by $400 million to $450 million of planned capital expenditures and an ongoing share repurchase program with $1.8 billion remaining.
