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Ulta Beauty Announces Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2024 Results

In This Article:

Net Sales of $3.5 Billion Compared to $3.6 Billion in the Year-Ago Quarter

Comparable Sales Increased 1.5%

Net Income of $393.3 Million or $8.46 Per Diluted Share

BOLINGBROOK, Ill., March 13, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ulta Beauty, Inc. (NASDAQ: ULTA) today announced financial results for the thirteen-week period ("fourth quarter") and fifty-two-week period ("fiscal year") ended February 1, 2025, compared to the comparable fourteen-week and fifty-three-week periods ended February 3, 2024, both of which contained one extra week ("53rd week").

13 Weeks Ended

14 Weeks Ended

52 Weeks Ended

53 Weeks Ended

February 1,

February 3,

February 1,

February 3,

(Dollars in millions, except per share data)

2025

2024

2025

2024

Net sales

$

3,487.6

$

3,554.3

$

11,295.7

$

11,207.3

Comparable sales (1)

1.5%

2.5%

0.7%

5.7%

Gross profit (as a percentage of net sales)

38.2%

37.7%

38.8%

39.1%

Selling, general and administrative expenses

$

815.6

$

820.4

$

2,808.6

$

2,694.6

Operating income (as a percentage of net sales)

14.8%

14.5%

13.9%

15.0%

Diluted earnings per share

$

8.46

$

8.08

$

25.34

$

26.03

New store openings, net

8

11

60

30

__________________________

(1) Comparable sales are calculated based on the comparable number of weeks from the prior year.

"The Ulta Beauty team delivered stronger-than-expected revenue, profitability, and diluted EPS in the fourth quarter. I am incredibly proud of our team’s collective impact on the business and the care they showed our guests throughout the holiday season, positioning us to finish fiscal 2024 ahead of our expectations," said Kecia Steelman, president and chief executive officer.

Steelman continued, "I am incredibly optimistic about the future of Ulta Beauty, as I believe we have the right elements to drive our success – a strong business model, an ambitious long-term plan, and passionate associates who bring our brand to life for our guests every day. Fiscal 2025 will be a pivotal year as we make purposeful investments to fuel our future growth and move quickly to optimize our business. While it will take time to see the impact of these efforts, we are confident these investments will help reignite our momentum and unlock sustained growth and long-term value for our shareholders."

Fourth Quarter of Fiscal 2024 Compared to Fourth Quarter of Fiscal 2023

  • Net sales decreased 1.9% to $3.5 billion compared to $3.6 billion, primarily due to the benefit of an extra week of sales in fiscal 2023, partially offset by new store contribution and increased comparable sales. Net sales in the 53rd week of fiscal 2023 were approximately $181.9 million.

  • Comparable sales (sales for stores open at least 14 months and e-commerce sales) increased 1.5% compared to an increase of 2.5%, driven by a 3.0% increase in average ticket and a 1.4% decrease in transactions.

  • Gross profit was $1.33 billion compared to $1.34 billion. As a percentage of net sales, gross profit increased to 38.2% compared to 37.7%, primarily due to lower inventory shrink, favorable channel mix, and higher merchandise margin, partially offset by higher supply chain costs, lower other revenue, and deleverage of store and supply chain fixed costs.

  • Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses were $815.6 million compared to $820.4 million. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A expenses increased to 23.4% compared to 23.1%, primarily due to deleverage of store payroll and benefits.

  • Operating income was $516.3 million, or 14.8% of net sales, compared to $517.1 million, or 14.5% of net sales.

  • The tax rate was 24.1% compared to 24.2%.

  • Net income was $393.3 million compared to $394.4 million.

  • Diluted earnings per share was $8.46 compared to $8.08, including a $0.46 benefit due to the extra week of sales.