Overview
- Ulta reported first-quarter fiscal 2026 net sales rose 11.1% to about $3.2 billion and comparable sales increased 5.3%, with diluted EPS of $7.74 beating analyst expectations.
- The company raised full-year EPS guidance to a range of $28.36–$28.80 after reporting the results on June 2, pushing shares up about 7% in after-hours trading.
- Ulta repurchased 958,323 shares for $555 million in the quarter and has roughly $1.3 billion remaining under its $3.0 billion buyback authorization.
- Operational moves included a Times Square flagship planned for late 2027, launches on TikTok Shop, new store openings in the U.S. and Mexico, and international growth via the Space NK acquisition and franchise partner Alshaya.
- Gross profit margin widened to 40.1% as inventory rose to $2.4 billion to support new brands and stores, a strategy that positions Ulta to chase product newness and experiential retail even as consumer confidence and inflation remain pressured.