Compared to Estimates, Ulta (ULTA) Q1 earnings: A look at key metrics

Ulta Beauty (ULTA - Free Report) reported $2.85 billion in revenue for the quarter ended April 2025, representing a year-over-year increase of 4.5%. EPS of $6.70 for the same period compares to $6.47 a year ago.

The reported revenue compares to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.8 billion, representing a surprise of +1.57%. The company delivered an EPS surprise of +16.12%, with the consensus EPS estimate being $5.77.

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.

As these metrics influence top- and bottom-line performance, comparing them to the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated helps investors project a stock's price performance more accurately.

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: 2.9% versus the 10-analyst average estimate of 0.2%.

• Total stores open at end of the quarter: 1,451 compared to the 1,458 average estimate based on eight analysts.

• Total gross square feet at end of the quarter: 15,163.21 Msq ft versus the six-analyst average estimate of 15,224.74 Msq ft.

• Net sales per average total square footage: $187.84 versus $184.11 estimated by four analysts on average.

• Number of stores opened during the quarter: 6 versus 14 estimated by four analysts on average.

• Total stores open at beginning of the quarter: 1,445 compared to the 1,445 average estimate based on three analysts.

• Net Sales by Primary Category - Other: 2% versus 2% estimated by two analysts on average.

• Net Sales by Primary Category - Services: 4% versus 4% estimated by two analysts on average.

• Net Sales by Primary Category - Fragrance: 11% compared to the 11.5% average estimate based on two analysts.

• Net Sales by Primary Category - Haircare: 18% versus the two-analyst average estimate of 19%.

• Net Sales by Primary Category - Cosmetics: 40% compared to the 40.5% average estimate based on two analysts.

Shares of Ulta have returned +5.4% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +6.7% 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.

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