Ulta (ULTA) Q4 Earnings: Taking a Look at Key Metrics Versus Estimates

For the quarter ended January 2025, Ulta Beauty (ULTA) reported revenue of $3.49 billion, down 1.9% over the same period last year. EPS came in at $8.46, compared to $8.08 in the year-ago quarter.The reported revenue represents a surprise of +0.69% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.46 billion. With the consensus EPS estimate being $7.10, the EPS surprise was +19.15%.While investors scrutinize revenue and earnings changes year-over-year and how they compare with Wall Street expectations to determine their next move, some key metrics always offer a more accurate picture of a company's financial health.Since these metrics play a crucial role in driving the top- and bottom-line numbers, comparing them with the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated about them helps investors better project a stock's price performance.Here is how Ulta performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts: Comparable sales - YoY change: 1.5% versus the 11-analyst average estimate of 0.4%. Total stores open at end of the quarter: 1,445 versus the nine-analyst average estimate of 1,447. Total gross square feet at end of the quarter: 15,110.17 Msq ft versus the seven-analyst average estimate of 15,130.46 Msq ft. Net sales per average total square footage: $230.81 versus the five-analyst average estimate of $230.13. Number of stores opened during the quarter: 9 versus 12 estimated by five analysts on average. Total stores open at beginning of the quarter: 1,437 versus the four-analyst average estimate of 1,437. Net Sales by Primary Category - Other: 2% compared to the 2% average estimate based on two analysts. Net Sales by Primary Category - Services: 3% versus the two-analyst average estimate of 4%. Net Sales by Primary Category - Fragrance: 17% versus the two-analyst average estimate of 16.5%. Net Sales by Primary Category - Haircare: 19% compared to the 18.5% average estimate based on two analysts. Net Sales by Primary Category - Cosmetics: 36% versus the two-analyst average estimate of 39%. View all Key Company Metrics for Ulta here>>>Shares of Ulta have returned -11.8% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -7.4% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating that it could perform in line with the broader market in the near term.7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 DaysJust released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +24.3% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. See them now >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Ulta Beauty Inc. (ULTA): Free Stock Analysis ReportThis article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks