Ulta Beauty: Earnings Inflection Catalyzed, Initiate At Buy

  • Initiate coverage on Ulta Beauty with a Buy rating and $432.81 price target, driven by strategic investments and anticipated FY26 EPS recovery. Ulta's loyalty program and e-commerce marketplace are key catalysts for high-margin growth, driving engagement and operational leverage. Near-term earnings trough in FY25 is a strategic reset, positioning for significant outperformance and margin expansion in FY26.