This report analyzes the financial health of Ulta Beauty Inc. using trend and ratio analysis. It includes a company profile, trend analysis, and ratio analysis. The results are compared with the main competitor, Estee Lauder. The report provides insights into the company's liquidity, leverage, and profitability.
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Accounting Financial Analysis Report 1
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Contents Introduction......................................................................................................................................4 Section 1: Company Profile.............................................................................................................5 1.1: Introduction...........................................................................................................................5 1.2: Data Discussion....................................................................................................................5 1.2.1: History................................................................................................................................5 1.2.2: Product Lines.....................................................................................................................5 1.2.3: Current Position.................................................................................................................5 1.2.4: Company Structure............................................................................................................6 1.2.5: Industry and Main Competitors.........................................................................................6 1.3: Conclusion............................................................................................................................6 Section 2: Company Analysis (Trend Analysis).............................................................................8 2.0: Trend Analysis of Ulta Beauty Inc. and its competitor Estee Lauder Company..................8 2.1: Introduction...........................................................................................................................8 2.2: Discussion of Data................................................................................................................8 2.2.1: Trend Analysis (Trend in Financial Data over the last three years)..................................8 2.2.1.1: Total Revenue.................................................................................................................8 2.2.1.2: Total Profit......................................................................................................................9 2.2.1.3: Total Assets...................................................................................................................10 2.2.1.4: Total Equity..................................................................................................................12 2.3: Results & Conclusion.........................................................................................................12 Section 3: Company Analysis (Ratio Analysis)............................................................................14 3.0: Description, Analysis and Interpretation of Financial Ratios of Ulta beauty in Comparison to Estee Lauder...........................................................................................................................14 3.1: Introduction.........................................................................................................................14 2
Introduction The report has been prepared for analyzing the financial health of a selected company, that is, Ulta Beauty, with the use of technique of trend and ratio analysis. This has been conducted for examining the strengths and weakness of the company in terms of liquidity, leverage and profitability. The results obtained are compared with selected competitor for assessing its competitive position within the industry. This report has been divided into three parts and they are company profile, trend analysis and ratio analysis of the selected company (Listed on S&P 500) and comparison with its main competitor. Each section has its own introduction, discussion and conclusion that provide information in model used, results, details of spreadsheet and other details. 4
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Section 1: Company Profile 1.1: Introduction This part of the report has presented a brief discussion regarding the background of the selected company that includes discussion about its history, industry trend, product lines and current competitive position. This section includes an internal analysis of the company by discussing its competitive position within industry and assessing its future potential of growth and development. 1.2: Data Discussion 1.2.1: History Ulta Beauty Inc is a recognized chain of beauty stores within the United States and is involved in providing wide range of cosmetic products. It has been established in the year 1990 by RichardE. George and TerryHanson. Georgehasestablishedthe businessplan for introducing a retail concept and offering wide range of cosmetics and fragrance products as compared to other cosmetic retail stores (Maros, 2018). The strong financial performance of the company supported its growth and profitability and lead to its establishment of it’s about 949 stores across 48 states. The major success factor that contributed to the success of the company is providing attractive mix of different products supported by good customer experience and incorporating the use of online communication channels for its higher number of sales. It has almost completely reinvented its stores since its establishment in the year 1990 by providing diverse range of beauty products at a single place (Ulta Beauty, 2019). 1.2.2: Product Lines Ulta Beauty is known to the best retailer within the US that is involved in providing diverse range of products that includes cosmetics, fragrance, skin and hair products and salon services. The company is involved in providing different types of beauty products to its customers that includes from skin care, nails, skin care, hair, bath to different make up products. It also provides full-service salon services in the segments of hair, skin, brow and make-up services (Danzier, 2018). 5
1.2.3: Current Position Ulta Beauty is known to be the top most national retailer by providing complete beauty experience to its customers. It is known to be a leading cosmetic retailer within the US owing to its high commitment to providing personalized service in the beauty segment. The company has increased its products lines of cosmetics and fragrance since its establishment. The publicly traded company has attained a distinctive position in the competitive cosmetic retail market of the US owing to its higher number of sales supported by evolution and adding up of significant product lines (Zion Market Research, 2018). It is realizing higher net income at a time in the US when other retailers are struggling to retain their market share within the cosmetic sector. The higher sales growth is supported by its good customer experience achieved due to its high quality online as well as offline products and services (Daily Herald, 2017). 1.2.4: Company Structure Its organizational structure comprises of establishing divisions in different geographical areas within the US to offer its products and services. Its different retail stores across different states within the US to provide its diverse beauty products to the customers. It also provides its different beauty products to the customers through its online retail channel (Ulta Beauty, 2019). 1.2.5: Industry and Main Competitors The Beauty and Cosmetic Industry within the US is highly competitive and is dominated by the presence of large number of competitors. The industry has realized revenue of about $2.4 bn in the financial year 2019 with increase in the number of businesses by 2.6% (Industry Market Research Report, 2019). The major competitors of Ulta Beauty are Sephora, Oriflame, Estee Lauder and others cosmetic retail companies. However, it has maintained its distinctive position within the retail sector by reporting increase in sales of about 17.4% in the year 2018 (Danzier, 2018). 1.3: Conclusion It is inferred from this section of the report that company Ulta Beauty has attained a competitive position within the beauty and retail sector of the US owing to high quality and variety of products offered in the beauty segment. The online retail channel used by it has further fostered its growth within the cosmetic retailing sector with increase in the number of sales by reaching to large number of customers. The US cosmetic industry is however highly competitive 6
and therefore it is essential that Ulta Beauty should maintain customer satisfaction by promoting its continued growth. This section of the report ahs used internal environmental analysis model for examining the selected company position and background. 7
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Section 2: Company Analysis (Trend Analysis) 2.0: Trend Analysis of Ulta Beauty Inc. and its competitor Estee Lauder Company 2.1: Introduction This part of the report has conducted an evaluation of financial health of Ulta Beauty with the use of the financial analysis model of trend analysis. The trend analysis model of financial evaluation is used for comparison of business data over time for identifying the consistency in the financial results of a selected company. The trend analysis of Ulta Beauty is conducted with the use of examining the significant changes that have occurred in its key financial elements of total revenue, total profit, total assets and total equity. 2.2: Discussion of Data The section has analyzed the significant changes in the key financial elements of the company such as revenue, assets, equity and profits as compared to its competitor with the use of the model of the trend analysis. The key assumption of the model is that the results obtained are based on the past information provided within the financial statements and therefore cannot be regarded as highly useful for predicting the future growth trends of the company. 2.2.1: Trend Analysis (Trend in Financial Data over the last three years) 2.2.1.1: Total Revenue Total Revenue Company Name201620172018 Amount in $ Million Ulta Beauty Inc.3924.124854.745884.51 Estee Lauder Companies11262.0011824.0013683.00 (Ulta Beauty: 10K Report, 2016 & 2018) & (Estee Lauder Company: 10K Report, 2016 & 2018) 8
201620172018 0.00 2000.00 4000.00 6000.00 8000.00 10000.00 12000.00 14000.00 16000.00 3924.12 4854.74 5884.51 11262.0011824.00 13683.00 Trend in Total Revenue In $ million Ulta Beauty Inc has depicted an increase in the net revenue over the financial years 2016- 2018 as depicted from the graphical illustration. There is steady incline within the graph of the company for total revenue whereas the graph for Estee Lauder Companies has depicted a rising graph over the past three years. There has been larger increase in the total revenue for Estee Lauder over the past three years as compared to Ulta Beauty that depicts its significant business expansion and growth. However, both the companies have depicted a positive increase in total revenues which is quite favorable for supporting the future growth prospects of both the firms. 2.2.1.2: Total Profit Total Profit Company Name201620172018 Amount in $ Million Ulta Beauty Inc.320.01409.76555.23 Estee Lauder Companies1121.001256.001117.00 (Ulta Beauty: 10K Report, 2016 & 2018) & (Estee Lauder Company: 10K Report, 2016 & 2018) 9
201620172018 0.00 200.00 400.00 600.00 800.00 1000.00 1200.00 1400.00 320.01 409.76 555.23 1121.00 1256.00 1117.00 Trend in Total Profit Axis Title Ulta Beauty has reported an increase in total profits from 320.01 to 552.53 over the fiscal years 2016-2018 and this is graphically presented by a rising straight line within the graph. On the other hand, Estee Lauder have depicted an increase in the total profit from 1121 to 1256 over the financial years 2016-2017 but then has depicted a decline in the year 2018 to 1117 which represents its lower profitability attained due to high operational expenses. However, it has realized higher profits as compared to Ulta Beauty which can be a significant financial risk for the competitive position for Ulta Beauty in the future context. 2.2.1.3: Total Assets Total Assets Company Name201620172018 Amount in $ Million Ulta Beauty Inc.2230.922551.882908.69 Estee Lauder Companies9223.3011568.0012567.00 (Ulta Beauty: 10K Report, 2016 & 2018) & (Estee Lauder Company: 10K Report, 2016 & 2018) 10
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201620172018 0.00 2000.00 4000.00 6000.00 8000.00 10000.00 12000.00 14000.00 2230.922551.882908.69 9223.30 11568.00 12567.00 Trend in Total Assets Axis Title The graph for total assets of both the companies has depicted an upward trend over the financial period of 2016-2018 which supports their food future growth prospects. The total asset value for Estee Lauder is significantly higher as compared to Ulta Beauty over each of three financial years. This means that Ulta Beauty needs to strengthen its asset base for maintaining its distinctive competitive position within the industry. 11
2.2.1.4: Total Equity Total Equity Company Name201620172018 Amount in $ Million Ulta Beauty Inc.1442.891550.221774.22 Estee Lauder Companies3587.304402.004710.00 (Ulta Beauty: 10K Report, 2016 & 2018) & (Estee Lauder Company: 10K Report, 2016 & 2018) 201620172018 0.00 500.00 1000.00 1500.00 2000.00 2500.00 3000.00 3500.00 4000.00 4500.00 5000.00 1442.891550.221774.22 3587.30 4402.00 4710.00 Trend in Total Equity Axis Title The total equity base for both the companies depicted an increasing trend over the financial years of 2016-2018 which supports good future growth prospects for them. However, Ulta Beauty is having significantly lower total equity base in each of the past three financial years as compared to Estee Lauder which depicts that it is attracting relatively lower funds from the shareholders that can negatively impact its future financial performance and the competitive position within the sector. 2.3: Results & Conclusion It has been inferred from the use of trend analysis that Ulta Beauty has depicted a positive trend in its key financial elements of revenue, equity, assets and profits over the past three financial years. However, as compared to Ulta Beauty, its competitor, Estee Lauder have 12
depicted a large increase in all the above key financial elements that can represent a risk for maintaining the competitive position of the company in cosmetic and retail sector of the US. 13
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Section 3: Company Analysis (Ratio Analysis) 3.0: Description, Analysis and Interpretation of Financial Ratios of Ulta beauty in Comparison to Estee Lauder 3.1: Introduction This section of the report has examined the financial position of Ulta Beauty by analysis of liquidity, solvency and profitability position as compared with its competitor of Estee Lauder with the use of ratio analysis. The ratio analysis technique uses the financial information presented within the financial statements for calculation of key ratios in each financial aspect of the company and comparing the results realized in accordance to its competitor. The key ratios that are calculated for evaluation of the liquidity position are current and quick ratio. The solvency analysis is carried with the use of debt and debt to equity ratio while profitability analysis is conducted with the use of net profit and gross profit margin ratio calculations. 3.2: Discussion of Data The section assesses the liquidity, solvency and profitability position of Ulta Beauty in comparison to its key competitor with the use of ratio analysis. The model used is ratio analysis and the key assumption of the model is that the results obtained with its use can be significantly influenced by the conditions of market volatility such as changes in the inflation or interest rate. These market fluctuations have an impact on the financial statements information and thereby influencing the results achieved with the use of ratio analysis technique. 3.2.1: Liquidity Analysis 3.2.1.1: Current Ratio Liquidity Ratios (Short Term Liquidity) Current Ratio Companies201620172018 Ulta Beauty Inc.3.472.902.64 Estee Lauder Companies1.581.761.86 (Ulta Beauty: 10K Report, 2016 & 2018) & (Estee Lauder Company: 10K Report, 2016 & 2018) 14
201620172018 0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50 3.00 3.50 3.47 2.90 2.64 1.581.761.86 Current Ratio In Times The ratio is used to measure the ability of a company for meeting its short-term financial liabilities with its current assets. The formula of its calculation as follows: Formula: Current Ratio: Current Assets/Current Liabilities The current ratio for Ulta Beauty has depicted a decrease in from 3.47 to 2.64 in the past three years which implies increase in the significant liquidity risk to be not to able to meet its financial obligations in due course of time. However, the company has maintained a higher ratio at present for the financial period of 2016-2018 which means that is it able to meet its current obligations adequately. The ratio is also higher as compared with the competitor of Estee Lauder Companies which means that it is good in terms of liquidity. 3.2.1.2: Quick Ratio Liquidity Ratios (Short Term Liquidity) Quick Ratio Companies201620172018 Ulta Beauty Inc.1.551.120.93 Estee Lauder Companies1.101.231.37 (Ulta Beauty: 10K Report, 2016 & 2018) & (Estee Lauder Company: 10K Report, 2016 & 2018) 15
201620172018 0.00 0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 1.00 1.20 1.40 1.60 1.55 1.12 0.93 1.10 1.23 1.37 Quick Ratio In Times It depicts the ability of a company to meet its financial liabilities with it quick asset base such as accounts receivable and cash equivalents. The formula is as follows: Formula = Quick Assets/Current Liabilities The ratio trend for Ulta Beauty is declining from 1.55 to 0.3 over the selected financial years. This is not good for the company as it depicts a decrease in the availability of assets that can be transferred into cash and thus increasing risk of not able to pay of its short-term liabilities. On the other hand, its competitor Estee Lauder Companies have depicted an increase in the ratio from 1.10 to 1.37 over the past three financial years which depicts that it possess higher liquid asset resources of cash and cash equivalents for paying of its short-term financial liabilities (Brigham, and Michael, 2013). 3.2.2: Leverage Analysis (Solvency Analysis) 3.2.2.1: Debt Ratio Leverage Ratios (Long Term Liquidity) Debt Ratio Companies201620172018 Ulta Beauty Inc.35.32%39.25%39.00% Estee Lauder Companies61.11%61.95%62.52% (Ulta Beauty: 10K Report, 2016 & 2018) & (Estee Lauder Company: 10K Report, 2016 & 2018) 16
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201620172018 0.00% 10.00% 20.00% 30.00% 40.00% 50.00% 60.00% 70.00% 35.32%39.25%39.00% 61.11%61.95%62.52% Debt Ratio In Percent The ratio depicts the percentage of assets of a company that are provided through debt. The formula is as follows: Formula = Total Liabilities/Total Assets The ratio for Ulta Beauty has depicted an increase from 35.32% to 39.25% over the financial year 2016-2017 and then has shown a light decline in the year 2018 to 39%. On the contrary, Estee Lauder Companies has depicted an increasing trend of the ratio from 61.11% to 62.52% over the selected financial period. It can be said from the comparison that Estee Lauder posses a higher ratio which means that it is using large proportion of debt in financing its asset base (Krantz, 2016). 3.2.2.2: Debt to Equity Ratio Leverage Ratios (Long Term Liquidity) Debt to Equity Ratio Companies201620172018 Ulta Beauty Inc.54.61%64.61%63.94% Estee Lauder Companies157.11%162.79%166.82% (Ulta Beauty: 10K Report, 2016 & 2018) & (Estee Lauder Company: 10K Report, 2016 & 2018) 17
201620172018 0.00% 20.00% 40.00% 60.00% 80.00% 100.00% 120.00% 140.00% 160.00% 180.00% 54.61%64.61%63.94% 157.11%162.79%166.82% Debt to Equity Ratio In Percent The ratio provides an assessment of the percentage of debt and equity that is used for financing the asset base of a company. The formula used for calculation is: Formula = Total Liabilities/Total Shareholder’s Equity Ulta Beauty has depicted an increasing trend from 54.61% to 6.94% which means that it is increasing the debt proportion as compared to equity in its capital structure (Damodaran, 2011). However, the ratio is significantly lower as compared to Estee Lauder which has depicted an increasing trend of the ratio from 157.11% to 166.82%. As such, Ulta Beauty has lower proportion of debt in its capital structure as compared with its competitor. It can be said from the analysis of leverage position of Ulta Beauty as compared to its competitor that it is having lower financial leverage which means that it have lower financial risk of defaulting on its debt obligations (Davies and Crawford, 2011). 3.2.3: Profitability Analysis 3.2.3.1: Gross profit ratio Profitability Ratio Gross Profit Companies201620172018 Ulta Beauty Inc.35.28%35.99%35.63% 18
Estee Lauder Companies80.63%79.39%79.22% (Ulta Beauty: 10K Report, 2016 & 2018) & (Estee Lauder Company: 10K Report, 2016 & 2018) 201620172018 0.00% 10.00% 20.00% 30.00% 40.00% 50.00% 60.00% 70.00% 80.00% 90.00% 35.28%35.99%35.63% 80.63%79.39%79.22% Gross Profit In percent The ratio depicts the percentage of profits realized by a company after meeting the costs incurred in developing and selling of its products or services. The formula for calculation is: Formula = Gross Profit/Net Sales The ratio for Ulta Beauty over 2016-2018 has depicted a relative stable trend from 35.28% to 35.63% which means that its earning potential is relatively stable. Its competitor have depicted a slight decline in the ratio from 80.63% to 79.22% over the past three financial years but the ratio is higher than for Ulta Beauty for each of the past three years. This is not good for future growth prospects of the company due to realization of lesser profits as compared to its competitor. It should place emphasis on reducing the cost of goods sold for improving the profitability margin (Bragg, 2010). 3.2.3.2: Net Profit Ratio Profitability Ratio Net profit Companies201620172018 19
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Ulta Beauty Inc.8.15%8.44%9.44% Estee Lauder Companies9.95%10.62%8.16% (Ulta Beauty: 10K Report, 2016 & 2018) & (Estee Lauder Company: 10K Report, 2016 & 2018) 201620172018 0.00% 2.00% 4.00% 6.00% 8.00% 10.00% 12.00% 8.15%8.44% 9.44% 9.95% 10.62% 8.16% Net Profit In Percent The ratio depicts the profits realized by a company after meeting its operational expenses. The formula for calculation is: Formula = Net Profit after tax/Sales The ratio has depicted an increasing trend from 8.15% to 9.44% over the financial years 2016-2018 which support its good growth prospects. However, its competitor Estee Lauder Companies has depicted a decrease in the ratio from 9.95% to 8.16% which means the increase in its operational expenses in relation to the net sales realized. It can be said from profitability analysis that Ulta Beauty is realizing lower gross profit and also its net profit is not that too high as compared to its competitor which means it need to significantly reduce its operational expenses for improving its profitability margin (Feldman and Libman, 2011). 20
3.3: Results & Conclusion It can be stated on the basis of the use of the technique of ratio analysis for examination of the financial position of Ulta Beauty that it need to strengthen its profitability position for enhancing its competitive position within the cosmetic and retailing sector if the US. In this context, it is recommended to Ulta Beauty that it need to cut down its operational expenses for improving its gross and net profit margin to attain a competitive edge over its key competitor Estee Lauder. 21
Conclusion It can be said on the basis of financial analysis of Ulta Beauty in reference to its competitor Estee Lauder that it need to improve its total profits, equity, revenue and asset position for improving its competitive position within the cosmetic and beauty retailing sector of the US. Also, it needs to improve its gross profitability and quick asset position to attain a competitive edge over Estee Lauder. The leverage position of Ulta Beauty is good and thus has less financial risk for not able to meet its long-term obligations and thus making it attractive for realizing funds for investors. As such, it can be said that Ulta Beauty is having a stable financial performance but need to take key measures such as reducing the operational costs for improve its competitive position within the cosmetic sector of the US. 22
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