Dimensional Fund Advisors LP Increases Stake in Ulta Beauty Inc. $ULTA

Key Points

• Dimensional Fund Advisors LP modestly increased its stake in Ulta by 0.3% to 510,909 shares, representing about 1.14% of the company and worth roughly $279.36 million; institutional investors own ~90.39% of the stock.
• Ulta beat Q4 expectations, reporting $5.14 EPS vs. $4.61 consensus and revenue of $2.86 billion (up 12.9% year-over-year), with a net margin of 9.93% and ROE of 46.33%.
• Wall Street sentiment is constructive—a Moderate Buy consensus with an average price target of $626.84—while several firms raised targets (e.g., Canaccord $674, Telsey $640); market cap is about $28.7B and the 52-week range is $309.01–$714.97.

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its position in Ulta Beauty Inc. (NASDAQ:ULTA - Free Report) by 0.3% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 510,909 shares of the specialty retailer's stock after acquiring an additional 1,659 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP owned approximately 1.14% of Ulta Beauty worth $279,364,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC lifted its position in Ulta Beauty by 107.7% in the second quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 54 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 28 shares during the period. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in Ulta Beauty during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Grey Fox Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Ulta Beauty during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $31,000. Abich Financial Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Ulta Beauty during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $31,000. Finally, Elevation Point Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of Ulta Beauty during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $35,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.39% of the company's stock.

Ulta Beauty Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:ULTA opened at $646.34 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $664.38 and a 200-day simple moving average of $583.41. The stock has a market capitalization of $28.67 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.78, a PEG ratio of 3.05 and a beta of 0.82. Ulta Beauty Inc. has a 1 year low of $309.01 and a 1 year high of $714.97.

Ulta Beauty (NASDAQ:ULTA - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, December 4th. The specialty retailer reported $5.14 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.61 by $0.53. Ulta Beauty had a net margin of 9.93% and a return on equity of 46.33%. The firm had revenue of $2.86 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.70 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $5.14 earnings per share. Ulta Beauty's revenue for the quarter was up 12.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts predict that Ulta Beauty Inc. will post 23.96 earnings per share for the current year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts recently weighed in on ULTA shares. Telsey Advisory Group restated an "outperform" rating and issued a $640.00 price target (up from $610.00) on shares of Ulta Beauty in a research note on Monday, December 1st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on shares of Ulta Beauty from $600.00 to $606.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, December 1st. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Ulta Beauty from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, February 6th. Weiss Ratings reissued a "hold (c)" rating on shares of Ulta Beauty in a research note on Wednesday, January 21st. Finally, Canaccord Genuity Group raised their target price on shares of Ulta Beauty from $653.00 to $674.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, December 5th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have issued a Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $626.84.

Ulta Beauty News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Ulta Beauty this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Ulta kicked off its high-profile “21 Days of Beauty” event — a proven traffic and sales driver that can boost same‑store sales and basket size during the quarter. Ulta’s 21 Days of Beauty starts today Ulta’s biggest beauty sale is back. Don’t sleep on these deals.
• Positive Sentiment: Media show large, headline discounts (up to 50% on targeted brands) that could accelerate traffic and clearance of seasonal inventory — supportive for near-term revenue. Ulta slashed 50% off Bondi Boost’s HG line Ulta 21 days of beauty: Get up to 50% off top makeup, skincare + more
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst and preview coverage broadly expects Ulta to beat Q4 estimates — citing loyalty program strength, digital gains and brand launches — which supports a premium valuation thesis. Ulta Beauty (ULTA) Expected to Beat Earnings Estimates Ulta expected to beat — Zacks
• Neutral Sentiment: Consensus analyst ratings remain constructive (consensus “Moderate Buy”), which provides support but not new upside absent strong EPS/margin beats. Ulta receives consensus rating of Moderate Buy
• Positive Sentiment: Retail real estate activity continues: Ulta was signed for a mixed‑use development in SW Florida, signaling steady store expansion and omnichannel footprint growth. Zuckerman signs T.J. Maxx, Ulta Beauty at mixed-use development
• Negative Sentiment: Some previews warn of margin pressure from higher costs and promotional intensity — a risk that could offset revenue beats and temper EPS, which may be why the stock is trading lower. Ulta Q4 earnings on deck — margin pressure noted

Ulta Beauty Company Profile

Ulta Beauty, Inc NASDAQ: ULTA is a U.S.-based specialty retailer and beauty services provider focused on cosmetics, fragrance, skin care, hair care, bath and body, and beauty tools. The company operates a dual-format business that combines brick-and-mortar retail stores with an e-commerce platform, offering a broad assortment of national, prestige and mass-market brands alongside its own private-label products. In many locations Ulta also provides full-service salon treatments, positioning the company as a one-stop destination for product discovery and in-store services.

The retailer's product mix spans color cosmetics, haircare and styling products, skin and body care, fragrance, and accessories, catering to a wide range of consumer preferences and price points.

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