Ulta Beauty Raises 2026 Forecasts After Quarterly Beat

Ulta Beauty raised its annual sales and profit forecasts for fiscal 2026 after reporting quarterly results that exceeded analyst expectations. The company now projects full-year sales growth between 6.7% and 7.2%, with annual earnings per share estimated between $28.70 and $29.

Quarterly sales rose 8.9% to $3.04 billion, surpassing the $2.96 billion estimate. Earnings per share reached $6.55, beating the projected $6.19. The retailer attributes this growth to strong demand for high-margin fragrances and makeup, as well as affordable brands such as Elf Beauty.

Under the leadership of CEO Kecia Steelman, the company has utilized celebrity-owned brands, including Rare Beauty and Cecred, to attract affluent and young consumers. Analysts suggest the lipstick effect is bolstering these results, as shoppers pivot toward smaller luxury beauty products during a period of sticky inflation and macroeconomic uncertainty.