Ulta Beauty, Inc. 10-Q

Item 1. Financial Statements ​ Ulta Beauty, Inc. Consolidated Balance Sheets ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ May 3, ​ February 1, ​ May 4, (In thousands, except per share data) 2025 2025 2024 Assets ​ ​ (Unaudited) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (Unaudited) Current assets: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Cash and cash equivalents ​ $ 454,629 ​ $ 703,201 ​ $ 524,596 Receivables, net ​ ​ 225,146 ​ ​ 223,334 ​ ​ 203,463 Merchandise inventories, net ​ ​ 2,121,519 ​ ​ 1,968,214 ​ ​ 1,906,040 Prepaid expenses and other current assets ​ ​ 138,396 ​ ​ 129,113 ​ ​ 126,529 Prepaid income taxes ​ ​ — ​ ​ 4,946 ​ ​ — Total current assets ​ ​ 2,939,690 ​ ​ 3,028,808 ​ ​ 2,760,628 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Property and equipment, net ​ ​ 1,251,287 ​ ​ 1,239,295 ​ ​ 1,195,658 Operating lease assets ​ ​ 1,658,834 ​ ​ 1,609,870 ​ ​ 1,561,767 Goodwill ​ ​ 10,870 ​ ​ 10,870 ​ ​ 10,870 Other intangible assets, net ​ ​ — ​ ​ 204 ​ ​ 434 Deferred compensation plan assets ​ ​ 47,467 ​ ​ 47,951 ​ ​ 45,718 Other long-term assets ​ ​ 78,541 ​ ​ 64,695 ​ ​ 56,864 Total assets ​ $ 5,986,689 ​ $ 6,001,693 ​ $ 5,631,939 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Liabilities and stockholders’ equity ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Current liabilities: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Accounts payable ​ $ 537,518 ​ $ 563,761 ​ $ 463,777 Accrued liabilities ​ ​ 346,960 ​ ​ 380,241 ​ ​ 332,692 Deferred revenue ​ ​ 462,843 ​ ​ 500,585 ​ ​ 398,729 Current operating lease liabilities ​ ​ 285,764 ​ ​ 288,114 ​ ​ 284,815 Accrued income taxes ​ ​ 130,765 ​ ​ 46,777 ​ ​ 92,711 Total current liabilities ​ ​ 1,763,850 ​ ​ 1,779,478 ​ ​ 1,572,724 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Non-current operating lease liabilities ​ ​ 1,689,439 ​ ​ 1,635,120 ​ ​ 1,607,953 Deferred income taxes ​ ​ 46,013 ​ ​ 42,593 ​ ​ 89,556 Other long-term liabilities ​ ​ 57,084 ​ ​ 56,149 ​ ​ 60,963 Total liabilities ​ ​ 3,556,386 ​ ​ 3,513,340 ​ ​ 3,331,196 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Commitments and contingencies (Note 6) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Stockholders' equity: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Common stock, $ 0.01 par value, 400,000 shares authorized; 45,922 , 46,809 , and 48,688 shares issued; 45,042 , 45,965 , and 47,845 shares outstanding; at May 3, 2025 (unaudited), February 1, 2025, and May 4, 2024 (unaudited), respectively ​ ​ 459 ​ ​ 468 ​ ​ 487 Treasury stock-common, at cost ​ ​ ( 119,704 ) ​ ​ ( 106,793 ) ​ ​ ( 106,315 ) Additional paid-in capital ​ ​ 1,129,309 ​ ​ 1,120,769 ​ ​ 1,091,822 Retained earnings ​ ​ 1,420,239 ​ ​ 1,473,909 ​ ​ 1,314,749 Total stockholders’ equity ​ ​ 2,430,303 ​ ​ 2,488,353 ​ ​ 2,300,743 Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity ​ $ 5,986,689 ​ $ 6,001,693 ​ $ 5,631,939 ​ See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 3 Table of Contents Ulta Beauty, Inc. Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 13 Weeks Ended ​ ​ May 3, ​ May 4, (In thousands, except per share data) 2025 ​ 2024 Net sales ​ $ 2,848,367 ​ $ 2,725,848 Cost of sales ​ ​ 1,734,148 ​ ​ 1,656,068 Gross profit ​ ​ 1,114,219 ​ ​ 1,069,780 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Selling, general and administrative expenses ​ ​ 710,613 ​ ​ 665,913 Pre-opening expenses ​ ​ 1,829 ​ ​ 2,919 Operating income ​ ​ 401,777 ​ ​ 400,948 Interest income, net ​ ​ ( 3,547 ) ​ ​ ( 6,900 ) Income before income taxes and equity net loss of affiliate ​ ​ 405,324 ​ ​ 407,848 Income tax expense ​ ​ 99,644 ​ ​ 94,735 Income before equity net loss of affiliate ​ ​ 305,680 ​ ​ 313,113 Equity net loss of affiliate ​ ​ 628 ​ ​ — Net income ​ $ 305,052 ​ $ 313,113 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Net income per common share: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Basic ​ $ 6.72 ​ $ 6.51 Diluted ​ $ 6.70 ​ $ 6.47 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Weighted average common shares outstanding: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Basic ​ ​ 45,362 ​ ​ 48,125 Diluted ​ ​ 45,508 ​ ​ 48,381 ​ ​ See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. ​ ​ 4 Table of Contents Ulta Beauty, Inc. Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 13 Weeks Ended ​ ​ May 3, ​ May 4, (In thousands) 2025 2024 Operating activities ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Net income ​ $ 305,052 ​ $ 313,113 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Depreciation and amortization ​ ​ 72,033 ​ ​ 64,739 Non-cash lease expense ​ ​ 91,105 ​ ​ 77,938 Deferred income taxes ​ ​ 3,420 ​ ​ 3,635 Stock-based compensation expense ​ ​ 11,418 ​ ​ 10,082 Loss on disposal of property and equipment ​ ​ 892 ​ ​ 2,975 Equity net loss of affiliate ​ ​ 628 ​ ​ — Change in operating assets and liabilities: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Receivables ​ ​ ( 1,812 ) ​ ​ 4,476 Merchandise inventories ​ ​ ( 153,305 ) ​ ​ ( 163,904 ) Prepaid expenses and other current assets ​ ​ ( 9,283 ) ​ ​ ( 10,931 ) Income taxes ​ ​ 88,934 ​ ​ 85,652 Accounts payable ​ ​ ( 24,920 ) ​ ​ ( 74,069 ) Accrued liabilities ​ ​ ( 32,716 ) ​ ​ ( 43,846 ) Deferred revenue ​ ​ ( 37,742 ) ​ ​ ( 37,862 ) Operating lease liabilities ​ ​ ( 88,100 ) ​ ​ ( 83,500 ) Other assets and liabilities ​ ​ ( 5,583 ) ​ ​ 10,842 Net cash provided by operating activities ​ ​ 220,021 ​ ​ 159,340 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Investing activities ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Capital expenditures ​ ​ ( 79,031 ) ​ ​ ( 91,024 ) Other investments ​ ​ ( 7,346 ) ​ ​ ( 2,563 ) Net cash used in investing activities ​ ​ ( 86,377 ) ​ ​ ( 93,587 ) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Financing activities ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Repurchase of common shares ​ ​ ( 369,786 ) ​ ​ ( 289,431 ) Stock options exercised ​ ​ 481 ​ ​ 8,913 Purchase of treasury shares ​ ​ ( 12,911 ) ​ ​ ( 23,283 ) Debt issuance costs ​ ​ — ​ ​ ( 3,950 ) Net cash used in financing activities ​ ​ ( 382,216 ) ​ ​ ( 307,751 ) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents ​ ​ ( 248,572 ) ​ ​ ( 241,998 ) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period ​ ​ 703,201 ​ ​ 766,594 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period ​ $ 454,629 ​ $ 524,596 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Supplemental information ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Income taxes paid, net of refunds $ 7,016 ​ $ 5,057 Non-cash investing and financing activities: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Non-cash capital expenditures ​ ​ 28,370 ​ ​ 51,695 Repurchase of common shares in accrued liabilities ​ ​ 3,913 ​ ​ — ​ See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. ​ 5 Table of Contents Ulta Beauty, Inc. Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Unaudited) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Treasury - ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Common Stock ​ Common Stock ​ Additional ​ ​ ​ Total ​ ​ Issued ​ ​ ​ Treasury ​ ​ ​ Paid-In ​ Retained ​ Stockholders' (In thousands) Shares Amount Shares Amount Capital Earnings Equity Balance – February 3, 2024 ​ 49,123 ​ $ 491 ​ ( 799 ) ​ $ ( 83,032 ) ​ $ 1,075,104 ​ $ 1,286,765 ​ $ 2,279,328 Net income ​ — ​ ​ — ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ 313,113 ​ ​ 313,113 Stock-based compensation ​ — ​ ​ — ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ 10,082 ​ ​ — ​ ​ 10,082 Stock options exercised and other awards ​ 153 ​ ​ 2 ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ 8,911 ​ ​ — ​ ​ 8,913 Purchase of treasury shares ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ( 44 ) ​ ​ ( 23,283 ) ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ ( 23,283 ) Repurchase of common shares, including excise tax ​ ( 588 ) ​ ​ ( 6 ) ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ ( 2,275 ) ​ ​ ( 285,129 ) ​ ​ ( 287,410 ) Balance – May 4, 2024 ​ 48,688 ​ $ 487 ​ ( 843 ) ​ $ ( 106,315 ) ​ $ 1,091,822 ​ $ 1,314,749 ​ $ 2,300,743 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Balance – February 1, 2025 ​ 46,809 ​ $ 468 ​ ( 844 ) ​ $ ( 106,793 ) ​ $ 1,120,769 ​ $ 1,473,909 ​ $ 2,488,353 Net income ​ — ​ ​ — ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ 305,052 ​ ​ 305,052 Stock-based compensation ​ — ​ ​ — ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ 11,418 ​ ​ — ​ ​ 11,418 Stock options exercised and other awards ​ 100 ​ ​ 1 ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ 480 ​ ​ — ​ ​ 481 Purchase of treasury shares ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ( 36 ) ​ ​ ( 12,911 ) ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ ( 12,911 ) Repurchase of common shares, including excise tax ​ ( 987 ) ​ ​ ( 10 ) ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ ( 3,358 ) ​ ​ ( 358,722 ) ​ ​ ( 362,090 ) Balance – May 3, 2025 ​ 45,922 ​ $ 459 ​ ( 880 ) ​ $ ( 119,704 ) ​ $ 1,129,309 ​ $ 1,420,239 ​ $ 2,430,303 ​ See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. ​ ​ 6 Table of Contents Ulta Beauty, Inc. Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (In thousands, except per share and store count data) (Unaudited) 1. Business and basis of presentation Ulta Beauty, Inc. was founded in 1990 to operate specialty retail stores selling cosmetics, fragrance, haircare and skincare products, and related accessories and services. Nearly every store features a full-service salon. As used in these notes and throughout this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, all references to “we,” “us,” “our,” “Ulta Beauty,” or the “Company” refer to Ulta Beauty, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. As of May 3, 2025, the Company operated 1,451 stores across 50 states, as shown in the table below. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Number of ​ ​ ​ Number of Location stores Location stores Alabama ​ 27 ​ Montana ​ 6 Alaska ​ 3 ​ Nebraska ​ 5 Arizona ​ 38 ​ Nevada ​ 16 Arkansas ​ 11 ​ New Hampshire ​ 8 California ​ 174 ​ New Jersey ​ 46 Colorado ​ 27 ​ New Mexico ​ 8 Connecticut ​ 21 ​ New York ​ 59 Delaware ​ 4 ​ North Carolina ​ 48 Florida ​ 103 ​ North Dakota ​ 4 Georgia ​ 44 ​ Ohio ​ 48 Hawaii ​ 4 ​ Oklahoma ​ 23 Idaho ​ 10 ​ Oregon ​ 21 Illinois ​ 56 ​ Pennsylvania ​ 47 Indiana ​ 26 ​ Rhode Island ​ 5 Iowa ​ 12 ​ South Carolina ​ 27 Kansas ​ 14 ​ South Dakota ​ 3 Kentucky ​ 16 ​ Tennessee ​ 34 Louisiana ​ 19 ​ Texas ​ 141 Maine ​ 3 ​ Utah ​ 17 Maryland ​ 29 ​ Vermont ​ 1 Massachusetts ​ 27 ​ Virginia ​ 36 Michigan ​ 50 ​ Washington ​ 37 Minnesota ​ 21 ​ West Virginia ​ 7 Mississippi ​ 12 ​ Wisconsin ​ 22 Missouri ​ 26 ​ Wyoming ​ 5 ​ ​ ​ ​ Total ​ 1,451 ​ The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Article 10, Regulation S-X. These financial statements were prepared on a consolidated basis to include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts, transactions, and unrealized profit were eliminated in consolidation. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, which are of a normal recurring nature, necessary to fairly state the financial position and results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented. 7 Table of Contents The Company’s business is subject to seasonal fluctuation, with significant portions of net sales and net income being realized during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year due to the holiday selling season. The results for the 13 weeks ended May 3, 2025 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2026, or for any other future interim period or for any future year. These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements and the related notes should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 1, 2025. All amounts are stated in thousands, with the exception of per share amounts and number of stores. 2. Summary of significant accounting policies Information regarding significant accounting policies is contained in Note 2, “Summary of significant accounting policies,” to the consolidated financial statements in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 1, 2025. Presented below and in the following notes is supplemental information that should be read in conjunction with “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” in the Annual Report. Fiscal quarter The Company’s quarterly periods are the 13 weeks ending on the Saturday closest to April 30, July 31, October 31, and January 31. The first quarter in fiscal 2025 and 2024 ended on May 3, 2025 and May 4, 2024, respectively. Use of estimates The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the accounting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Company considers its accounting policies relating to inventory valuations, vendor allowances, impairment of long-lived tangible and right-of-use assets, loyalty program and income taxes to be the most significant accounting policies that involve management estimates and judgments. Significant changes, if any, in those estimates and assumptions resulting from continuing changes in the economic environment will be reflected in the consolidated financial statements in future periods. Recent accounting pronouncements not yet adopted Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures In December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. The guidance includes amendments requiring enhanced income tax disclosures, primarily related to standardization and disaggregation of rate reconciliation categories and income taxes paid by jurisdiction. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024 and should be applied either prospectively or retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this ASU on related disclosures. ​ 3. Revenue Net sales include retail stores and e-commerce merchandise sales as well as salon services and other revenue. Other revenue includes the private label and co-branded credit card programs, royalties derived from the partnership with Target Corporation, and deferred revenue related to the loyalty program and gift card breakage. 8 Table of Contents Disaggregated revenue ​ The following table sets forth the approximate percentage of net sales by primary category: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 13 Weeks Ended ​ ​ May 3, ​ May 4, (Percentage of net sales) ​ 2025 ​ 2024 Cosmetics ​ 40 % ​ 42 % Skincare and wellness ​ 25 % ​ 23 % Haircare ​ 18 % ​ 19 % Fragrance ​ 11 % ​ 10 % Services ​ 4 % ​ 4 % Other ​ 2 % ​ 2 % ​ ​ 100 % ​ 100 % ​ Deferred revenue ​ Deferred revenue primarily represents contract liabilities for the obligation to transfer additional goods or services to a guest for which the Company has received consideration, such as unredeemed Ulta Beauty Rewards loyalty points and unredeemed Ulta Beauty gift cards. In addition, breakage on gift cards is recognized proportionately as redemption occurs. ​ The following table provides a summary of the changes included in deferred revenue during the 13 weeks ended May 3, 2025 and May 4, 2024: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 13 Weeks Ended ​ ​ May 3, ​ May 4, (In thousands) ​ 2025 ​ 2024 Beginning balance ​ $ 492,907 ​ $ 428,788 Additions to contract liabilities (1) ​ ​ 164,054 ​ ​ 133,495 Deductions to contract liabilities (2) ​ ​ ( 201,701 ) ​ ​ ( 170,837 ) Ending balance ​ $ 455,260 ​ $ 391,446 (1) Loyalty points and gift cards issued in the current period but not redeemed or expired. (2) Revenue recognized in the current period related to the beginning liability . Other amounts included in deferred revenue were $ 7,583 and $ 7,283 at May 3, 2025 and May 4, 2024, respectively. ​ 4. Goodwill and other intangible assets Goodwill, which represents the excess of cost over the fair value of net assets acquired, was $ 10,870 at May 3, 2025, February 1, 2025, and May 4, 2024. No additional goodwill was recognized during the 13 weeks ended May 3, 2025. The recoverability of goodwill is reviewed annually during the fourth quarter or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that would indicate that impairment may exist. Other definite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their useful lives. The recoverability of intangible assets is reviewed whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. ​ 9 Table of Contents 5. Leases The Company leases retail stores, distribution centers, fast fulfillment centers, market fulfillment centers, corporate offices, and certain equipment under non-cancelable operating leases with various expiration dates through 2037. All leases are classified as operating leases and generally have initial lease terms of 10 years and, when determined applicable, include renewal options under substantially the same terms and conditions as the original leases. Leases do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants. Lease cost The majority of operating lease cost relates to retail stores, distribution centers, fast fulfillment centers, and market fulfillment centers and is classified within cost of sales. Operating lease cost for corporate offices is classified within selling, general and administrative expenses. Operating lease cost from the control date through store opening date is classified within pre-opening expenses. The following table presents a summary of operating lease costs: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 13 Weeks Ended ​ ​ May 3, ​ May 4, (In thousands) ​ 2025 ​ 2024 Operating lease cost ​ $ 93,466 ​ $ 88,155 ​ Other information The following table presents supplemental disclosures of cash flow information related to operating leases: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 13 Weeks Ended ​ ​ May 3, ​ May 4, (In thousands) 2025 ​ 2024 Cash paid for operating lease liabilities (1) ​ $ 106,017 ​ $ 101,646 Operating lease assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities (non-cash) ​ ​ 140,069 ​ ​ 65,176 (1) Excludes $ 15,782 and $ 7,791 related to cash received for tenant incentives for the 13 weeks ended May 3, 2025 and May 4, 2024, respectively. 6. Commitments and contingencies The Company is involved in various legal proceedings that are incidental to the conduct of the business including both class action and single plaintiff litigation. In the opinion of management, the amount of any liability with respect to these proceedings, either individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. 7. Debt On March 13, 2024, the Company entered into Amendment No. 3 to the Second Amended and Restated Loan Agreement (as so amended, the Loan Agreement) with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent and a Lender thereunder; Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners; JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Syndication Agent and a Lender; PNC Bank, National Association, as Documentation Agent and a Lender; and the other lenders party thereto. The Loan Agreement matures on March 13, 2029, provides maximum revolving loans equal to the lesser of $ 800,000 or a percentage of eligible owned inventory and eligible owned receivables (which borrowing base may, at the election of the Company and satisfaction of certain conditions, include a percentage of qualified cash), contains a $ 50,000 subfacility for letters of credit and allows the Company to increase the revolving facility by an additional $ 200,000 , subject to the consent by each lender and other conditions. The Loan Agreement contains a requirement to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than 1.0 to 1.0 during such periods when availability under the Loan Agreement falls below a specified threshold. Substantially all 10 Table of Contents of the Company’s assets are pledged as collateral for outstanding borrowings under the Loan Agreement. Outstanding borrowings bear interest, at the Company’s election, at either a base rate plus a margin of 0.5 % to 1.0 % or the Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate plus a margin of 1.5 % to 2.0 %, and a credit spread adjustment of 0.10 %, with such margins based on the Company’s borrowing availability, and the unused line fee is 0.25 % to 0.375 % per annum. As of May 3, 2025, February 1, 2025, and May 4, 2024, there were no borrowings outstanding under the credit facility. As of May 3, 2025, the Company was in compliance with all terms and covenants of the Loan Agreement. 8. Fair value measurements The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and accounts payable approximates their estimated fair values due to the short maturities of these instruments. Fair value is measured using inputs from the three levels of the fair value hierarchy, which are described as follows: ● Level 1 – observable inputs such as quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets. ● Level 2 – inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are observable either directly or indirectly through corroboration with observable market data. ● Level 3 – unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which would require the Company to develop its own assumptions. ​ As of May 3, 2025, February 1, 2025, and May 4, 2024, there were liabilities related to the non-qualified deferred compensation plan included in other long-term liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets of $ 44,712 , $ 43,117 , and $ 47,849 , respectively. The liabilities are categorized as Level 2 as they are based on third-party reported values, which are based primarily on quoted market prices of underlying assets of the funds within the plan. 9. Stock-based compensation Stock-based compensation expense is measured on the grant date based on the fair value of the award. Stock-based compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for awards expected to vest. The estimated grant date fair value of stock options was determined using a Black-Scholes valuation model using the following weighted-average assumptions for the periods indicated: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 13 Weeks Ended ​ ​ May 3, ​ May 4, ​ 2025 2024 Volatility rate 34.0 % ​ 33.0 % Average risk-free interest rate 3.9 % ​ 4.4 % Average expected life (in years) 3.4 3.5 Dividend yield — — ​ The expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s common stock. The risk-free interest rate is based on the United States Treasury yield curve in effect on the date of grant for the respective expected life of the option. The expected life represents the time the options granted are expected to be outstanding. The expected life of options granted is derived from historical data on Ulta Beauty stock option exercises. Forfeitures of stock options are estimated at the grant date based on historical rates of stock option activity and reduce the stock-based compensation expense recognized. The Company does not currently pay a regular dividend. The Company granted 129 and 56 stock options during the 13 weeks ended May 3, 2025 and May 4, 2024, respectively. Stock-based compensation expense for stock options was $ 3,039 and $ 1,680 for the 13 weeks ended May 3, 2025 and May 4, 2024, respectively. The weighted-average grant date fair value of these stock options was $ 107.99 and $ 157.66 for the 13 weeks ended May 3, 2025 and May 4, 2024, respectively. At May 3, 2025, there was approximately $ 18,931 of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested stock options. 11 Table of Contents There were 99 and 44 restricted stock units issued during the 13 weeks ended May 3, 2025 and May 4, 2024, respectively. Stock-based compensation expense for restricted stock units was $ 5,346 and $ 4,388 for the 13 weeks ended May 3, 2025 and May 4, 2024, respectively. At May 3, 2025, there was approximately $ 53,478 of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to restricted stock units. There were no performance-based restricted stock units issued during the 13 weeks ended May 3, 2025. There were 71 performance-based restricted stock units issued during the 13 weeks ended May 4, 2024. Stock-based compensation expense for performance-based restricted stock units was $ 3,033 and $ 4,014 for the 13 weeks ended May 3, 2025 and May 4, 2024, respectively. At May 3, 2025, there was approximately $ 6,699 of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to performance-based restricted stock units. 10. Income taxes Income tax expense reflects the federal statutory tax rate and the weighted average state statutory tax rate for the states in which the Company operates stores. Income tax expense of $ 99,644 for the 13 weeks ended May 3, 2025 represents an effective tax rate of 24.6 %, compared to $ 94,735 of income tax expense representing an effective tax rate of 23.2 % for the 13 weeks ended May 4, 2024. The higher effective tax rate is primarily due to a reduced benefit from income tax accounting for stock-based compensation. 11. Net income per common share The following is a reconciliation of net income and the number of shares of common stock used in the computation of net income per basic and diluted common share: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 13 Weeks Ended ​ ​ May 3, ​ May 4, (In thousands, except per share data) 2025 2024 Numerator: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Net income $ 305,052 ​ $ 313,113 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Denominator: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Weighted-average common shares – Basic ​ ​ 45,362 ​ ​ 48,125 Dilutive effect of stock options and non-vested stock ​ ​ 146 ​ ​ 256 Weighted-average common shares – Diluted ​ ​ 45,508 ​ ​ 48,381 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Net income per common share: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Basic ​ $ 6.72 ​ $ 6.51 Diluted ​ $ 6.70 ​ $ 6.47 ​ The denominator for diluted net income per common share for the 13 weeks ended May 3, 2025 and May 4, 2024 excludes 354 and 150 employee stock options and restricted stock units, respectively, due to their anti-dilutive effects. Outstanding performance-based restricted stock units are included in the computation of dilutive shares only to the extent that the underlying performance conditions are satisfied prior to the end of the reporting period or would be considered satisfied if the end of the reporting period were the end of the related contingency period and the results would be dilutive under the treasury stock method. 12. Share repurchase program In March 2024, the Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program (the March 2024 Share Repurchase Program) pursuant to which the Company could repurchase up to $ 2,000,000 of the Company’s common stock. The March 2024 Share Repurchase Program authorization revoked the previously authorized but unused amounts from the earlier share repurchase program. The March 2024 Share Repurchase Program did not have an expiration date but provided for suspension or discontinuation at any time. ​ 12 Table of Contents In October 2024, the Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program (the October 2024 Share Repurchase Program) pursuant to which the Company may repurchase up to $ 3,000,000 of the Company’s common stock. The October 2024 Share Repurchase Program authorization revoked the previously authorized but unused amounts from the March 2024 Share Repurchase Program. The October 2024 Share Repurchase Program does not have an expiration date and may be suspended or discontinued at any time. ​ A summary of common stock repurchase activity is presented in the following table: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 13 Weeks Ended ​ ​ May 3, ​ May 4, (In thousands) ​ 2025 2024 Shares repurchased ​ ​ 987 ​ ​ 588 Total cost of shares repurchased, including excise tax ​ $ 362,090 ​ $ 287,410 ​ ​ Note 13. Segment reporting The Company has one reportable segment, which includes retail stores, salon services, and e-commerce. Within the reportable segment, there are significant expense categories included in the measure of the segment’s net income as shown below: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 13 Weeks Ended ​ ​ May 3, ​ May 4, (In thousands, except per share data) ​ 2025 2024 Net sales ​ $ 2,848,367 ​ $ 2,725,848 Less: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Cost of sales (1) ​ ​ 1,734,148 ​ ​ 1,656,068 Associate expenses (2) ​ ​ 387,150 ​ ​ 356,269 Advertising expense, net (3) ​ ​ 90,609 ​ ​ 85,707 Pre-opening expenses ​ ​ 1,829 ​ ​ 2,919 Other segment expenses (1) (4) ​ ​ 232,854 ​ ​ 223,937 Interest income, net ​ ​ ( 3,547 ) ​ ​ ( 6,900 ) Income tax expense ​ ​ 99,644 ​ ​ 94,735 Equity net loss of affiliate ​ ​ 628 ​ ​ — Net income ​ $ 305,052 ​ $ 313,113 ​ (1) Included within cost of sales and other segment expenses is depreciation and amortization expense of $ 72,033 and $ 64,739 for the 13 weeks ended May 3, 2025 and May 4, 2024, respectively. (2) Associate expenses include salaries, wages, bonus, and other forms of compensation related to associates. (3) Advertising expense, net consists of print, digital and social media, and television and radio advertising, net of vendor income that is a reimbursement of specific, incremental, and identifiable costs. (4) Other segment expenses include other corporate overhead and store opening expenses within SG&A expenses. ​