PREVIEW: Ulta's Q2 EPS, rev seen rising but shares slip

Ulta Beauty

27/08/2026 18:32

** Shares in cosmetics retailer Ulta Beauty ULTA.O down 2.1% on Thursday ahead of fiscal Q2 report due after market close 
** Wall Street sees ULTA reporting Q2 rev up 7% y/y to $2.98 bln and adj EPS of $6.19 vs $5.79 in year-ago quarter, per LSEG
** In last eight quarters ULTA's rev met or beat expectations seven times with its last rev miss in Q2 2024 (-2.3%); EPS beat six times with most recent miss in Q4 of fiscal year 2026
** In its most recent quarter, ULTA drew demand for higher-priced products and pulled in young customers helping it beat Q1 estimates and raise its annual profit forecast 
** Estee Lauder EL.N shares have rallied more than 25% since August 19 forecast of annual profit above estimates. But Coty COTY.N shares down about 8% since it forecast current-quarter earnings below expectations and withheld its annual outlook on same date. Elf Beauty ELF.N shares up more than 20% after it raised annual sales and profit forecasts August 5 on its push outside the US where shoppers have reined in spending due to sticky inflation.
** Stock last traded at $531.59 vs median PT of $635, according to LSEG, which shows 28 analyst ratings: 7 'strong buy,' 13 'buy,' 7 'hold,' and 1 'sell'
** YTD the stock is down ~12% vs loss of ~1% for S&P 500 consumer discretionary sector .SPLRCD
     

(Reporting by Sinead Carew)
((sinead.carew@thomsonreuters.com))