Ulta Beauty raises fiscal 2026 guidance: what it means for Ulta Beauty stock
Published on 10/07/2026 at 03:12 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Ulta Beauty (US90384S3031) raised its fiscal 2026 outlook after second-quarter results, with adjusted earnings guidance moving to USD 28.70-29.00 per share from USD 28.36-28.80, according to Zacks Investment Research on September 30, 2026. For investors, the upgrade raises the earnings bar for the second half.
What the guidance means
Ulta Beauty reported second-quarter fiscal 2026 net sales of USD 3.04 billion, up 8.90 percent from the same quarter a year earlier, while adjusted earnings per share reached USD 6.55, up 13.30 percent. Both figures exceeded consensus estimates of USD 2.97 billion for sales and USD 6.21 for adjusted earnings per share, according to Yahoo Finance on September 30, 2026.
The company also raised fiscal 2026 net sales growth guidance to 6.70-7.20 percent from 6.00-7.00 percent. Comparable-sales growth is now expected at 3.20-3.70 percent, compared with the former 2.50-3.50 percent range, while operating-income growth guidance increased to 8.30-9.30 percent from 6.50-9.00 percent.
Second-half execution matters
The upgraded outlook is not a pure margin expansion story. Ulta Beauty's second-quarter operating margin improved to 12.50 percent from 12.40 percent, but management expects second-half fiscal 2026 sales growth of 4.00-5.00 percent and comparable-sales growth of 2.00-3.00 percent, according to Zacks Investment Research.
Digital sales grew at a high-teens rate in the second quarter, marking a sixth consecutive quarter of double-digit e-commerce growth. At the same time, transactions were roughly flat and the average ticket rose 3.90 percent, leaving traffic and promotional discipline as important tests for the raised forecast, Yahoo Finance reported on September 30, 2026.
Prior close and valuation context
The Lang & Schwarz prior close for Ulta Beauty was EUR 484.55 on October 5, 2026. Market capitalization was USD 23.5 billion as of October 6, 2026, while the 52-week range was USD 443.60 to USD 714.97.
Ulta Beauty trades on Nasdaq under ticker ULTA in the Consumer Cyclical sector and Specialty Retail industry. The company is also a member of the S&P 500, and the next earnings date listed for the stock is December 3, 2026.
The further course of trading is shown by the continuously updated real-time quote of Ulta Beauty stock.
Ulta Beauty stock at a glance
- Company: Ulta Beauty, Inc.
- ISIN: US90384S3031
- Ticker: ULTA
- Primary exchange: Nasdaq
- Prior close Lang & Schwarz (October 5, 2026): EUR 484.55
- Market capitalization: USD 23.5 billion (as of October 6, 2026)
- 52-week range: USD 443.60-714.97 (as of October 6, 2026)
- Sector / Industry: Consumer Cyclical / Specialty Retail
- Index membership: S&P 500
