Topic: How To Invest

Q: Can I get your advice on Ulta Beauty as a buy? Thank you.

Article Excerpt

A: Ulta Beauty, Inc., $310.43, symbol ULTA on Nasdaq (Shares outstanding: 56.3 million; Market cap: $17.8 billion; www.ulta.com), operates specialty retail stores selling cosmetics, fragrance, haircare and skincare products. Altogether, the company provides consumers with a broad assortment of over 25,000 prestige and mass-market beauty products. Ulta’s shops also offer related beauty accessories and services. The company has 1,264 stores in 50 U.S. states. Those locations are primarily high-end street-access stores with an average size of more than 10,000 square feet. Each location, generally, includes a 950-square-feet, full-service salon, through which the company sells beauty services. Apart from its stores, Ulta Beauty also sells extensively through its website. As of February 1, 2021, cosmetics sales accounted for 44% of total revenue. Skincare, bath, and fragrances accounted for 28%, while haircare products contributed 20%, services, 3%, and other, 5%. Before COVID-19 disrupted business, Ulta Beauty was steadily increasing its market share and profits. The company had differentiated itself in a crowded marketplace with an assortment…