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Ulta Beauty Inc. (ULTA) Hits Fresh High: Is There Still Room to Run?

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Have you been paying attention to shares of Ulta Beauty (ULTA - Free Report) ? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 16.1% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $480.57 in the previous session. Ulta Beauty has gained 16.4% since the start of the year compared to the -25.1% move for the Zacks Retail-Wholesale sector and the -13% return for the Zacks Retail - Miscellaneous industry.

What's Driving the Outperformance?

The stock has an impressive record of positive earnings surprises, as it hasn't missed our earnings consensus estimate in any of the last four quarters. In its last earnings report on December 1, 2022, Ulta reported EPS of $5.34 versus consensus estimate of $4.09.

For the current fiscal year, Ulta is expected to post earnings of $22.66 per share on $9.94 billion in revenues. Meanwhile, for the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $24.05 per share on $10.72 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 6.11% and 7.89%, respectively.

Valuation Metrics

Ulta may be at a 52-week high right now, but what might the future hold for the stock? A key aspect of this question is taking a look at valuation metrics in order to determine if the company is due for a pullback from this level.

On this front, we can look at the Zacks Style Scores, as they provide investors with an additional way to sort through stocks (beyond looking at the Zacks Rank of a security). These styles are represented by grades running from A to F in the categories of Value, Growth, and Momentum, while there is a combined VGM Score as well. Investors should consider the style scores a valuable tool that can help you to pick the most appropriate Zacks Rank stocks based on their individual investment style.

Ulta has a Value Score of B. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are C and A, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of B.

In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 21.2X current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is a premium to the peer industry average of 13.5X. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 20.7X versus its peer group's average of 6.3X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 1.54. This isn't enough to put the company in the top echelon of all stocks we cover from a value perspective.

Zacks Rank

We also need to look at the Zacks Rank for the stock, as this supersedes any trend on the style score front. Fortunately, Ulta currently has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy) thanks to rising earnings estimates.

Since we recommend that investors select stocks carrying Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) and Style Scores of A or B, it looks as if Ulta fits the bill. Thus, it seems as though Ulta shares could still be poised for more gains ahead.

How Does ULTA Stack Up to the Competition?

Shares of ULTA have been soaring, and the company still appears to be a decent choice, but what about the rest of the industry? One industry peer that looks good is BuildABear Workshop, Inc. (BBW - Free Report) . BBW has a Zacks Rank of # 1 (Strong Buy) and a Value Score of A, a Growth Score of C, and a Momentum Score of C.

Earnings were strong last quarter. BuildABear Workshop, Inc. beat our consensus estimate by 34.21%, and for the current fiscal year, BBW is expected to post earnings of $3.21 per share on revenue of $460.4 million.

Shares of BuildABear Workshop, Inc. have gained 50.4% over the past month, and currently trade at a forward P/E of 8.74X and a P/CF of 8.13X.

The Retail - Miscellaneous industry is in the top 37% of all the industries we have in our universe, so it looks like there are some nice tailwinds for ULTA and BBW, even beyond their own solid fundamental situation.


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