ULTA earnings for the third quarter of 2025

Alta Beauty On Thursday, it raised its full-year sales forecast after beating Wall Street expectations for the fiscal third quarter.

The cosmetics retailer said it now expects net sales for the year to reach about $12.3 billion, higher than its previous forecast of $12 billion to $12.1 billion. This would represent an increase from last fiscal year’s net sales of $11.3 billion. It expects earnings per share to range from $25.20 to $25.50, up from its previous forecast of $23.85 to $24.30.

It expects comparable sales, a measure that includes sales at stores open at least 14 months and e-commerce sales, to rise 4.4% to 4.7%, up from its previous forecast of 2.5% to 3.5%.

Ulta has raised its sales and earnings forecasts for two straight quarters. The company’s shares rose more than 4% in extended trading.

In a press release, CEO Kesia Stillman said, “The newness of the exciting assortment, enhanced in-store experiences, digital experiences and bold marketing efforts resonated with our guests and delivered strong sales results.”

As the specialty retailer heads into the holidays, she said the company is ready — even though “we know that many consumers’ wallets are under pressure and they are looking for value.”

Here’s what the retailer reported for its fiscal third quarter compared to what Wall Street expected, according to LSEG:

• Earnings per share: $5.14 vs. $4.64 expected
• profit: $2.86 billion compared to $2.72 billion expected

Ulta benefited from shoppers who continued to spend on beauty products, even when they cut budgets or looked for lower-priced options in other discretionary categories. However, the specialty retailer faces stiffer competition from a wide range of rivals, including big-box retailers like Walmart, online players like Amazon and startups like TikTok Shop.

Cosmetics sales have been generally strong this year in the United States, according to data from market research firm Circana. In the first nine months of 2025, prestige cosmetics sales in dollar terms rose 4% and mass cosmetics sales rose 5% year over year.

According to Circana, beauty is expected to become a popular category during the holidays, with market researcher surveys indicating that more consumers plan to give beauty products as a gift compared to last year, especially those in higher-income households and those with children.

Revenues rose from $2.53 billion in the same quarter last year.

Comparable sales jumped 6.3% year over year. Shoppers visited Ulta stores and websites more and spent more during visits. Average tickets increased by 3.8%, and transactions increased by 2.4% year over year.

In the three-month period ended Nov. 1, Ulta reported net income of $230.9 million, or $5.14 per share, compared with $242.2 million, or $5.14 per share, in the same quarter a year ago.

Ulta announced in October that Christopher DeLorevis, CFO of medical technology company Becton Dickinson & Company, would become the company’s new CFO. He will start in the role on December 5th.

As of Thursday’s close, Ulta shares were up about 23% so far this year. That exceeds the S&P 500’s gain of nearly 17% over the same period.

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