Ulta Beauty’s (ULTA) stock is up 7% after the cosmetics retailer reported fourth-quarter 2024 financial results that surpassed Wall Street targets.
The company announced earnings per share (EPS) of $8.46 U.S., which was well ahead of analysts’ consensus expectations of $7.13 U.S.
Revenue for the final months of last year totaled $3.50 billion U.S., which was in line with forecasts. Sales were down 1.9% from a year earlier.
While Ulta Beauty issued mixed guidance for the year ahead, investors appear to be focusing on the strong print and bidding the stock higher.
For 2025, Ulta Beauty sees sales of $11.50 billion U.S. to $11.60 billion U.S. and earnings per share of $22.50 U.S. to $22.90 U.S.
Analysts had expected earnings of $23.51 U.S. a share on $11.70 billion U.S. in sales.
This was Ulta Beauty chief executive officer (CEO) Kecia Steelman’s first quarter at the helm of the cosmetics company.
She took over the CEO role in January of this year and has been charged with turning around the company.
Ulta Beauty’s stock is down 44% over the past 12 months due largely to concerns that beauty products are a discretionary purchase by consumers and in a slump amid high inflation and interest rates.
The company’s share price is currently at $314.47 U.S.
