On Friday, BofA Securities maintained a Neutral rating on shares of ULTA Salon (NASDAQ: ULTA) with a steady price target of $425.00. The firm's analysis acknowledged ULTA's mixed performance, with first-quarter earnings per share (EPS) surpassing some expectations at $6.47, compared to the predicted $6.24 and the consensus of $6.47. This beat was attributed to better-than-expected selling, general and administrative (SG&A) costs, which helped to balance out weaker sales figures.
Comparable store sales (comps) growth of 1.6% met the company's low single-digit (LSD) guidance, and management anticipates similar comps for the second quarter, with expectations of an acceleration to 2-4% in the second half of the year. However, ULTA has revised its full-year 2024 (F24) guidance downwards due to a slower start to the year and ongoing competitive pressures.
The updated forecast now expects comps to grow by 2-3%, down from the previously anticipated 4-5%, with operating margins projected between 13.7-14%, a slight decrease from the earlier 14-14.3% range. The EPS estimate has also been adjusted to $25.20-26.00 from the former range of $26.20-27.00.
Despite the reduced guidance, BofA Securities has slightly increased its EPS estimates for fiscal years 2024 and 2025 to $25.97 and $28.22 respectively, which is less than a 1% hike. This revision comes as lower SG&A expenses are expected to partially offset the impact of weaker sales on the company's financial performance.
InvestingPro Insights
As ULTA Salon navigates through its current financial landscape, real-time data from InvestingPro provides a deeper understanding of the company's market position. ULTA's market capitalization stands at a robust $18.48 billion, reflecting a significant presence in the beauty retail industry. Despite facing a downward revision in full-year guidance, the company's P/E ratio remains at a healthy 14.77, suggesting that investors still maintain confidence in ULTA's earnings potential over time. Moreover, the company's revenue growth over the last twelve months has been positive at 9.78%, indicating a resilient business model capable of expanding its top line even in challenging market conditions.
InvestingPro Tips highlight that ULTA's management has been proactively engaging in share buybacks, which can be a signal of the company's belief in its own undervalued stock. Additionally, ULTA's liquid assets surpass its short-term obligations, indicating a solid financial position to meet immediate liabilities. For investors seeking more detailed analysis and additional tips on ULTA, InvestingPro offers a comprehensive list, with 11 more tips available to guide investment decisions. To access these insights and benefit from the full range of features, use the coupon code PRONEWS24 to get an additional 10% off a yearly or biyearly Pro and Pro+ subscription.
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