Ulta Beauty (ULTA) reported $3.04 billion in revenue for the quarter ended July 2026, representing a year-over-year increase of 8.9%. EPS of $6.55 for the same period compares to $5.78 a year ago.
The reported revenue compares to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.97 billion, representing a surprise of +2.1%. The company delivered an EPS surprise of +5.48%, with the consensus EPS estimate being $6.21.
While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and how they compare to Wall Street expectations to determine their next course of action, some key metrics always provide a better insight into a company's underlying performance.
Since these metrics play a crucial role in driving the top- and bottom-line numbers, comparing them with the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated about them helps investors better project a stock's price performance.
Here is how Ulta performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts: Comparable sales - YoY change: 3.8% versus the eight-analyst average estimate of 2%. Total stores open at end of the quarter [U.S.]: 1,534 compared to the 1,537 average estimate based on six analysts. Number of stores opened during the quarter [U.S.]: 14 versus 16 estimated by five analysts on average. Net Sales by Primary Category - Services: 4% versus the two-analyst average estimate of 3.8%. Total stores open at beginning of the quarter [U.S.]: 1,521 compared to the 1,521 average estimate based on two analysts. Net Sales by Primary Category - Fragrance: 13% versus 12.5% estimated by two analysts on average. Net Sales by Primary Category - Haircare: 20% versus the two-analyst average estimate of 19.3%. Net Sales by Primary Category - Cosmetics: 37% versus 37.5% estimated by two analysts on average. Net Sales by Primary Category - Other: 2% versus 2% estimated by two analysts on average.View all Key Company Metrics for Ulta here>>>
Shares of Ulta have returned +6.9% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +3.7% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating that it could perform in line with the broader market in the near term.7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days
Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."
Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +23.9% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention.
See them now >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
Ulta Beauty Inc. (ULTA): Free Stock Analysis Report
This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).