Ulta Beauty Announces Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2024 Results

3/13/25 4:05:00 PM ET

$ULTA

Other Specialty Stores

Consumer Discretionary

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Net Sales of $3.5 Billion Compared to $3.6 Billion in the Year-Ago Quarter

Comparable Sales Increased 1.5%

Net Income of $393.3 Million or $8.46 Per Diluted Share

Ulta Beauty, Inc. (NASDAQ:ULTA) today announced financial results for the thirteen-week period ("fourth quarter") and fifty-two-week period ("fiscal year") ended February 1, 2025, compared to the comparable fourteen-week and fifty-three-week periods ended February 3, 2024, both of which contained one extra week ("53^rd week").

	13 Weeks Ended		14 Weeks Ended		52 Weeks Ended		53 Weeks Ended
	February 1,		February 3,		February 1,		February 3,
(Dollars in millions, except per share data)	2025		2024		2025		2024
Net sales	$	3,487.6	$	3,554.3	$	11,295.7	$	11,207.3
Comparable sales (1)		1.5%		2.5%		0.7%		5.7%
Gross profit (as a percentage of net sales)		38.2%		37.7%		38.8%		39.1%
Selling, general and administrative expenses	$	815.6	$	820.4	$	2,808.6	$	2,694.6
Operating income (as a percentage of net sales)		14.8%		14.5%		13.9%		15.0%
Diluted earnings per share	$	8.46	$	8.08	$	25.34	$	26.03
New store openings, net		8		11		60		30
__________________________
(1) Comparable sales are calculated based on the comparable number of weeks from the prior year.

"The Ulta Beauty team delivered stronger-than-expected revenue, profitability, and diluted EPS in the fourth quarter. I am incredibly proud of our team's collective impact on the business and the care they showed our guests throughout the holiday season, positioning us to finish fiscal 2024 ahead of our expectations," said Kecia Steelman, president and chief executive officer.

Steelman continued, "I am incredibly optimistic about the future of Ulta Beauty, as I believe we have the right elements to drive our success – a strong business model, an ambitious long-term plan, and passionate associates who bring our brand to life for our guests every day. Fiscal 2025 will be a pivotal year as we make purposeful investments to fuel our future growth and move quickly to optimize our business. While it will take time to see the impact of these efforts, we are confident these investments will help reignite our momentum and unlock sustained growth and long-term value for our shareholders."

Fourth Quarter of Fiscal 2024 Compared to Fourth Quarter of Fiscal 2023

Net sales decreased 1.9% to $3.5 billion compared to $3.6 billion, primarily due to the benefit of an extra week of sales in fiscal 2023, partially offset by new store contribution and increased comparable sales. Net sales in the 53^rd week of fiscal 2023 were approximately $181.9 million.
Comparable sales (sales for stores open at least 14 months and e-commerce sales) increased 1.5% compared to an increase of 2.5%, driven by a 3.0% increase in average ticket and a 1.4% decrease in transactions.
Gross profit was $1.33 billion compared to $1.34 billion. As a percentage of net sales, gross profit increased to 38.2% compared to 37.7%, primarily due to lower inventory shrink, favorable channel mix, and higher merchandise margin, partially offset by higher supply chain costs, lower other revenue, and deleverage of store and supply chain fixed costs.
Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses were $815.6 million compared to $820.4 million. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A expenses increased to 23.4% compared to 23.1%, primarily due to deleverage of store payroll and benefits.
Operating income was $516.3 million, or 14.8% of net sales, compared to $517.1 million, or 14.5% of net sales.
The tax rate was 24.1% compared to 24.2%.
Net income was $393.3 million compared to $394.4 million.
Diluted earnings per share was $8.46 compared to $8.08, including a $0.46 benefit due to the extra week of sales.

Full Year of Fiscal 2024 Compared to Full Year of Fiscal 2023

Net sales increased 0.8% to $11.3 billion compared to $11.2 billion, primarily due to new store contribution, partially offset by the benefit of the 53^rd week of sales in fiscal 2023.
Comparable sales increased 0.7% compared to an increase of 5.7%, driven by a 1.1% increase in average ticket and a 0.4% decrease in transactions.
Gross profit was $4.39 billion compared to $4.38 billion. As a percentage of net sales, gross profit decreased to 38.8% compared to 39.1%, primarily due to lower merchandise margin, deleverage of store fixed costs, and higher supply chain costs, partially offset by lower inventory shrink and favorable channel mix.
SG&A expenses were $2.8 billion compared to $2.7 billion. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A expenses increased to 24.9% compared to 24.0%, primarily due to deleverage of store payroll and benefits, corporate overhead due to strategic investments, and store expenses, partially offset by lower incentive compensation.
Operating income was $1.6 billion, or 13.9% of net sales, compared to $1.7 billion, or 15.0% of net sales.
The tax rate was 24.0% compared to 23.9%.
Net income was $1.2 billion compared to $1.3 billion.
Diluted earnings per share was $25.34, including a $0.10 benefit due to income tax accounting for stock-based compensation, compared to $26.03, including a $0.14 benefit due to income tax accounting for stock-based compensation and a $0.46 benefit due to the extra week of sales.

Balance Sheet

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 totaled $703.2 million.

Merchandise inventories, net at the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 increased 13.0% to $2.0 billion compared to $1.7 billion at the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023. The increase was primarily due to inventory to support new brand launches, intentional strategic investments to improve merchandise in-stocks in key categories post-holiday, and the addition of 60 net new stores since February 3, 2024.

As previously announced, during the third quarter of fiscal 2024, the Company borrowed $199.7 million on its revolving credit facility to support ongoing capital allocation priorities, including share repurchases and capital expenditures, and merchandise inventory growth. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024, the Company repaid all amounts borrowed, together with interest due. At the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024, the Company had no borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit facility.

Share Repurchase Program

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024, the Company repurchased 620,053 shares of its common stock at a cost of $249.5 million. During fiscal 2024, the Company repurchased 2.5 million shares of its common stock at a cost of $1.0 billion. As of February 1, 2025, $2.7 billion remained available under the $3.0 billion share repurchase program announced in October 2024.

Store Update

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024, the Company opened nine new stores, remodeled five stores, and closed one store. During fiscal 2024, the Company opened 66 new stores, relocated two stores, remodeled 41 stores, and closed six stores. At the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024, the Company operated 1,445 stores totaling 15.1 million square feet.

Fiscal 2025 Outlook

For fiscal 2025, the Company plans to:


			FY25 Outlook
Net sales			$11.5 billion to $11.6 billion
Comparable sales			0% to 1%
New stores, net			approximately 60
Remodel and relocation projects			40-45
Operating margin			11.7% to 11.8%
Diluted earnings per share			$22.50 to $22.90
Share repurchases			approximately $900 million
Interest income			approximately $6 million
Effective tax rate			approximately 24.5%
Capital expenditures			$425 million to $500 million
Depreciation and amortization expense			$290 million to $300 million

Conference Call Information

A conference call to discuss fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 results is scheduled for today, March 13, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. ET / 3:30 p.m. CT. Investors and analysts who are interested in participating in the call are invited to dial (877) 704-4453. Participants may also listen to a real-time audio webcast of the conference call by visiting the Investor Relations section of the Company's website located at https://www.ulta.com/investor. A replay will be made available online approximately two hours following the live call for a period of 30 days.

About Ulta Beauty

At Ulta Beauty (NASDAQ:ULTA), the possibilities are beautiful. Ulta Beauty is the largest specialty 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 1,445 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.

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:

macroeconomic conditions, including inflation and elevated interest rates, as well as prior labor, transportation, and shipping cost pressures, have had, and may continue to have, a negative impact on our business, financial condition, profitability, and cash flows (including future uncertain impacts);
changes in the overall level of consumer spending and volatility in the economy, including as a result of macroeconomic conditions and geopolitical events;
our ability to sustain our growth plans and successfully implement our long-range strategic and financial plan;
the ability to execute our operational excellence priorities, including continuous improvement and supply chain optimization;
our ability to gauge beauty trends and react to changing consumer preferences in a timely manner;
the possibility that we may be unable to compete effectively in our highly competitive markets;
the possibility of significant interruptions in the operations of our distribution centers, fast fulfillment centers, and market fulfillment centers;
the possibility that cybersecurity or information security breaches and other disruptions could compromise our information or result in the unauthorized disclosure of confidential information;
the possibility of material disruptions to our information systems, including our Ulta.com website and mobile applications;
the failure to maintain satisfactory compliance with applicable privacy and data protection laws and regulations;
changes in the good relationships we have with our brand partners, our ability to continue to obtain sufficient merchandise from our brand partners, and/or our ability to continue to offer permanent or temporary exclusive products of our brand partners;
our ability to effectively manage our inventory and protect against inventory shrink;
changes in the wholesale cost of our products and/or interruptions at our brand partners' or third-party vendors' operations;
epidemics, pandemics or natural disasters, which could negatively impact sales;
the possibility that new store openings and existing locations may be impacted by developer or co-tenant issues;
our ability to attract and retain key executive personnel;
the impact of climate change on our business operations and/or supply chain;
our ability to successfully execute our common stock repurchase program or implement future common stock repurchase programs;
a decline in operating results which could lead to asset impairment and store closure charges; 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 February 3, 2024, 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 Income (In thousands, except per share data)

	13 Weeks Ended					14 Weeks Ended
	February 1,					February 3,
	2025					2024
	(Unaudited)					(Unaudited)
Net sales	$	3,487,619		100.0	%	$	3,554,298		100.0	%
Cost of sales		2,153,967		61.8	%		2,213,734		62.3	%
Gross profit		1,333,652		38.2	%		1,340,564		37.7	%

Selling, general and administrative expenses		815,599		23.4	%		820,360		23.1	%
Pre-opening expenses		1,732		0.0	%		3,114		0.1	%
Operating income		516,321		14.8	%		517,090		14.5	%
Interest income, net		(1,994	)	(0.1	%)		(3,328	)	(0.1	%)
Income before income taxes		518,315		14.9	%		520,418		14.6	%
Income tax expense		125,045		3.6	%		126,049		3.5	%
Net income	$	393,270		11.3	%	$	394,369		11.1	%

Net income per common share:
Basic	$	8.50				$	8.13
Diluted	$	8.46				$	8.08

Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic		46,270					48,500
Diluted		46,476					48,795

Exhibit 2
Ulta Beauty, Inc. Consolidated Statements of Income (In thousands, except per share data)

	52 Weeks Ended					53 Weeks Ended
	February 1,					February 3,
	2025					2024
	(Unaudited)
Net sales	$	11,295,654		100.0	%	$	11,207,303		100.0	%
Cost of sales		6,908,401		61.2	%		6,826,203		60.9	%
Gross profit		4,387,253		38.8	%		4,381,100		39.1	%

Selling, general and administrative expenses		2,808,592		24.9	%		2,694,561		24.0	%
Pre-opening expenses		13,689		0.1	%		8,510		0.1	%
Operating income		1,564,972		13.9	%		1,678,029		15.0	%
Interest income, net		(15,094	)	(0.1	%)		(17,622	)	(0.2	%)
Income before income taxes		1,580,066		14.0	%		1,695,651		15.1	%
Income tax expense		378,948		3.4	%		404,646		3.6	%
Net income	$	1,201,118		10.6	%	$	1,291,005		11.5	%

Net income per common share:
Basic	$	25.44				$	26.18
Diluted	$	25.34				$	26.03

Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic		47,207					49,304
Diluted		47,404					49,596

Exhibit 3
Ulta Beauty, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (In thousands)

	February 1,		February 3,
	2025		2024
	(Unaudited)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	703,201	$	766,594
Receivables, net		223,334		207,939
Merchandise inventories, net		1,968,214		1,742,136
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		129,113		115,598
Prepaid income taxes		4,946		4,251
Total current assets		3,028,808		2,836,518

Property and equipment, net		1,239,295		1,182,335
Operating lease assets		1,609,870		1,574,530
Goodwill		10,870		10,870
Other intangible assets, net		204		510
Deferred compensation plan assets		47,951		43,516
Other long-term assets		64,695		58,732
Total assets	$	6,001,693	$	5,707,011

Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	563,761	$	544,001
Accrued liabilities		380,241		382,468
Deferred revenue		500,585		436,591
Current operating lease liabilities		288,114		283,821
Accrued income taxes		46,777		11,310
Total current liabilities		1,779,478		1,658,191

Non-current operating lease liabilities		1,635,120		1,627,271
Deferred income taxes		42,593		85,921
Other long-term liabilities		56,149		56,300
Total liabilities		3,513,340		3,427,683

Commitments and contingencies

Total stockholders' equity		2,488,353		2,279,328
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	6,001,693	$	5,707,011

Exhibit 4
Ulta Beauty, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (In thousands)

	52 Weeks Ended			53 Weeks Ended
	February 1,			February 3,
	2025			2024
	(Unaudited)
Operating activities
Net income	$	1,201,118		$	1,291,005
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		267,042			243,840
Non-cash lease expense		310,636			332,754
Deferred income taxes		(43,328	)		30,575
Stock-based compensation expense		42,787			48,246
Loss on disposal of property and equipment		11,566			11,419
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables		(15,395	)		(8,517	)
Merchandise inventories		(226,078	)		(138,685	)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		(13,515	)		14,648
Income taxes		34,772			45,367
Accounts payable		30,297			(20,873	)
Accrued liabilities		6,303			(62,238	)
Deferred revenue		63,994			41,914
Operating lease liabilities		(333,835	)		(338,105	)
Other assets and liabilities		2,241			(15,084	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		1,338,605			1,476,266

Investing activities
Capital expenditures		(374,458	)		(435,267	)
Other investments		(8,631	)		(6,158	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(383,089	)		(441,425	)

Financing activities
Borrowings from credit facility		199,700			195,400
Payments on credit facility		(199,700	)		(195,400	)
Repurchase of common shares		(1,003,328	)		(995,738	)
Stock options exercised		12,339			12,176
Purchase of treasury shares		(23,761	)		(22,562	)
Debt issuance costs		(4,159	)		—
Net cash used in financing activities		(1,018,909	)		(1,006,124	)

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents		(63,393	)		28,717
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		766,594			737,877
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	703,201		$	766,594

Exhibit 5
Ulta Beauty, Inc. Store Update

	Total stores open	Number of stores	Number of stores	Total stores
	at beginning of the	opened during the	closed during the	open at
Fiscal 2024	quarter	quarter	quarter	end of the quarter
1^st Quarter	1,385	12	2	1,395
2^nd Quarter	1,395	17	1	1,411
3^rd Quarter	1,411	28	2	1,437
4^th Quarter	1,437	9	1	1,445


		Gross square feet for
	Total gross square	stores opened or	Gross square feet for	Total gross square
	feet at beginning of	expanded during the	stores closed	feet at end of the
Fiscal 2024	the quarter	quarter	during the quarter	quarter
1^st Quarter	14,515,593	114,786	15,615	14,614,764
2^nd Quarter	14,614,764	178,624	10,800	14,782,588
3^rd Quarter	14,782,588	258,320	20,083	15,020,825
4^th Quarter	15,020,825	100,693	11,348	15,110,170

Exhibit 6
Ulta Beauty, Inc. Sales by Category

The following tables set forth the approximate percentage of net sales by primary category:
	13 Weeks Ended	14 Weeks Ended
	February 1,	February 3,
	2025	2024
Cosmetics	36%	39%
Skincare	23%	22%
Haircare	19%	19%
Fragrance	17%	15%
Services	3%	3%
Other	2%	2%
	100%	100%

	52 Weeks Ended	53 Weeks Ended
	February 1,	February 3,
	2025	2024
Cosmetics	39%	41%
Skincare	23%	22%
Haircare	19%	20%
Fragrance	13%	11%
Services	4%	4%
Other	2%	2%
	100%	100%

Certain sales departments were reclassified between categories in the prior year to conform to current year presentation, including moving the bath category from Fragrance to Skincare.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250313496800/en/

Investor Contact:

Kiley Rawlins, CFA

Senior Vice President, Investor Relations

[email protected]

Media Contact:

Crystal Carroll

Senior Director, Public Relations

[email protected]

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Date	Price Target	Rating	Analyst
4/14/2025		Buy → Hold	Argus
4/1/2025	$423.00	Neutral → Buy	Goldman
3/14/2025	$500.00 → $460.00	Outperform	Telsey Advisory Group
1/21/2025	$430.00 → $500.00	Equal-Weight → Overweight	Morgan Stanley
1/7/2025		Sell → Neutral	B. Riley Securities
12/6/2024	$450.00 → $500.00	Outperform	Telsey Advisory Group
11/21/2024		Outperform → Mkt Perform	William Blair
9/23/2024		Buy → Hold	TD Cowen

Ulta Beauty Announces Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2024 Results

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