The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. manufactures, markets, and sells skin care, makeup, fragrance, and hair care products worldwide. It offers skin care products, including moisturizers, serums, cleansers, toners, body care, exfoliators, acne care and oil correctors, facial masks, and sun care products; and makeup products, such as lipsticks, lip glosses, mascaras, foundations, eyeshadows, nail polishes, and powders, as well as compacts, brushes, and other makeup tools. The company also provides fragrance products in various forms comprising eau de parfum sprays and colognes, as well as lotions, powders, creams, candles, and soaps; and hair care products that include shampoos, conditioners, styling products, treatment, finishing sprays, and hair color products, as well as sells ancillary products and services. It offers its products under the Estée Lauder, Clinique, Origins, M·A·C, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, La Mer, Aveda, Jo Malone London, TOM FORD, Too Faced, Dr.Jart+, and The Ordinary brands. The company sells its products through department stores, specialty-multi retailers, upscale perfumeries and pharmacies, and salons and spas; freestanding stores; its own and authorized retailer websites; third-party online malls; stores in airports; and duty-free locations. The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. was founded in 1946 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

Estee Lauder combines a strong brand foundation with a noticeably more expensive valuation and weak returns on capital. Gross margin at 74.7% looks very strong and above the industry median, while gross profit and revenue remain large and generally stable over the years, which supports the long-term investment case. At the same time, the operating margin of just 2.9% is significantly below typical levels for a quality consumer staples business, and net income as well as ROE/ROA/ROI on a TTM basis do not provide a convincing signal of efficiency. Valuation multiples of P/S 2.58, P/B 7.11, and P/FCF 26.23 are notably above the industry median, which means the market is already pricing in business improvement, although current profitability does not fully confirm that. The debt burden also looks elevated: debt/equity of 1.71 is above the industry benchmark, and long-term debt of $6.81 billion remains a meaningful constraint on any re-rating. Liquidity is acceptable but not outstanding: a current ratio of 1.27 and a quick ratio of 0.94 indicate a normal but not comfortable cushion. On the positive side, cash on the balance sheet is high, and equity remains positive and fairly stable, which reduces the risk of balance-sheet stress. The dividend yield of around 0.39% is too low to be a strong argument for revaluation, and it is not strengthening in trend terms. EPS and forward EPS look better than the industry median, but this is still not enough to justify the high multiples without stronger and more sustained operating profit growth. Over recent periods, revenue and gross profit have improved, but operating efficiency remains uneven, and some profitability metrics are still weak or zero. Overall, the picture for an investor is moderately positive in terms of brand quality and gross margin, but restrained in terms of capital efficiency, debt load, and relative stock expensiveness. Fundamentally, the company therefore looks more like a high-quality but not cheap asset, and the target forecast should reasonably be lowered slightly, while maintaining a cautious view on re-rating potential.

Estee Lauder Companies, Inc. (The)

Сильный индекс, без изменений. Быки в растерянности.

Strong index, flat. The bulls are confused.

Сильный индекс, значительно вырос. Рынок на стороне быков.

Strong index, significantly up. The market is on the bulls' side.

Средний индекс, незначительно упал. Приток средств в лонги на высоком уровне.

Medium index, slightly down. Inflow of funds into longs at a high level.

Strong gross margin and the brand support EL, but a high valuation, weak return on capital, and significant debt limit upside potential.

If you are looking for a stock that has a solid history of beating earnings estimates and is in a good position to maintain the trend in its next quarterly report, you should consider Estee Lauder (EL). This company, which is in the Zacks Cosmetics industry, shows potential for another earnings beat.
When looking at the last two reports, this beauty products company has recorded a strong streak of surpassing earnings estimates. The company has topped estimates by 105.78%, on average, in the last two quarters.
For the last reported quarter, Estee Lauder came out with earnings of $0.14 per share versus the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.09 per share, representing a surprise of 55.56%. For the previous quarter, the company was expected to post earnings of $0.25 per share and it actually produced earnings of $0.64 per share, delivering a surprise of 156%.
Thanks in part to this history, there has been a favorable change in earnings estimates for Estee Lauder lately. In fact, the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) for the stock is positive, which is a great indicator of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with its solid Zacks Rank.
Our research shows that stocks with the combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time. In other words, if you have 10 stocks with this combination, the number of stocks that beat the consensus estimate could be as high as seven.
The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a version of the Zacks Consensus whose definition is related to change. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.
Estee Lauder has an Earnings ESP of +0.83% at the moment, suggesting that analysts have grown bullish on its near-term earnings potential. When you combine this positive Earnings ESP with the stock's Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), it shows that another beat is possibly around the corner. The company's next earnings report is expected to be released on February 4, 2025.
With the Earnings ESP metric, it's important to note that a negative value reduces its predictive power; however, a negative Earnings ESP does not indicate an earnings miss.
Many companies end up beating the consensus EPS estimate, but that may not be the sole basis for their stocks moving higher. On the other hand, some stocks may hold their ground even if they end up missing the consensus estimate.
Because of this, it's really important to check a company's Earnings ESP ahead of its quarterly release to increase the odds of success. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
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Why Estee Lauder (EL) is Poised to Beat Earnings Estimates Again

e.l.f. Beauty, Inc. ELF is building a larger presence in skin care through e.l.f. SKIN, Naturium and rhode. The category accounted for 23% of the company’s global consumption in fiscal 2026, up from 9% in fiscal 2023, showing that skin care has become a more meaningful part of its brand portfolio.
e.l.f. SKIN provides the foundation of this expansion. The brand generated approximately $200 million in global retail sales in fiscal 2026. Its strategy centers on offering products inspired by prestige beauty at accessible prices. Over the past five years, e.l.f. SKIN has advanced from the No. 25 mass skin care brand in the United States to No. 11.
Despite that progress, the brand held only about 2% of the mass skin care category compared with 13% for the leading brand. This gap highlights the available share opportunity, although further gains will depend on continued product innovation and consumer adoption.
Naturium adds another established growth platform. The brand delivered nearly $250 million in global retail sales in fiscal 2026, roughly double its pre-acquisition level. It was also the fastest-growing brand among the top 50 skin care brands during the fourth quarter. Rhode brings additional scale and momentum. On a pro forma annualized basis, the brand generated more than $500 million in global retail sales and approximately $390 million in net sales in fiscal 2026, with net sales increasing more than 80% year over year.
Together, the three brands give e.l.f. Beauty exposure across different skin care segments. The next leg of growth will depend on whether e.l.f. SKIN can keep gaining share while Naturium and rhode maintain their current pace.
ELF Stock Price Performance, Valuation & Estimates
Shares of this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company have jumped 20.6% over the past three months compared with the industry’s growth of 10.9%.
ELF Price Performance Versus Industry
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, e.l.f. Beauty trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 23.46, above the industry’s average of 19.48.
ELF Valuation Compared to Industry
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ELF’s current and next fiscal-year earnings per share implies year-over-year growth of 5.8% and 9.9%, respectively.
Stocks to Consider
United Natural Foods, Inc. UNFI, a major food wholesaler serving grocery retailers, currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for United Natural’s current and next fiscal-year earnings per share suggests a year-over-year increase of 254.9% and 21.4%, respectively. UNFI delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 29.9%, on average.
The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. EL, a leading global prestige beauty company with a diversified portfolio of skin care, makeup, fragrance and hair care brands, carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for The Estee Lauder Companies’ current and next fiscal-year EPS calls for a year-over-year jump of 59.6% and 31.7%, respectively. EL delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 39.1%, on average.
Mama's Creations, Inc. MAMA, a maker of refrigerated prepared foods for retail and foodservice, carries a Zacks Rank #2 at present.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Mama's Creations’ current and next fiscal-year EPS suggests growth of 73.3% and 46.2%, respectively, from the prior-year reported levels. MAMA delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 129.2%, on average.
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Will e.l.f. Beauty's Skin Care Portfolio Lead the Next Leg Up?

Key Points
Nike's turnaround is taking time, but its unmatched brand strength could reward patient investors.
Estée Lauder's recovery remains uneven, yet its premium beauty portfolio offers long-term potential.
Buying great brands during difficult periods can lead to outsized returns over the next decade.
Some of the best decade-long investments start as beaten-down brands that everyone has temporarily given up on. The trick is separating companies with a broken business from companies with a strong brand going through a rough patch.
Two consumer goods giants fit that second description right now. Nike (NYSE: NKE) has fallen about 44% from its high, and Estée Lauder (NYSE: EL) sits roughly 30% below its own recent peak. Both are messy today, and both look like the kind of names patient investors can be glad they own 10 years from now.
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Nike: A wounded champion rebuilding its footing
Nike is the most recognizable athletic brand on the planet, which is exactly why its stumble has been so jarring. The company spent years leaning too hard on its own apps and website while pulling back from the retail stores where most people actually shop, and demand suffered. CEO Elliott Hill, a Nike veteran who came out of retirement to fix it, has been rebuilding those wholesale relationships and refocusing on athletes and fresh product.
There are early signs that it is working. North America, Nike's largest market, has begun to grow again as store partners welcome the brand back onto their shelves.
The honest reality is that this turnaround is taking longer than management first hoped, with the bigger gains now expected in 2027 and beyond, and its once-reliable China business is still shrinking. But a decade is a long time. The brand itself, its marketing muscle, and its grip on sneaker culture have not disappeared, and the CEO has been buying shares with his own money, a signal he believes in the recovery.
For an investor with real patience, owning an icon while it is out of favor is often how the biggest gains are made.
Estée Lauder: A prestige beauty leader on the mend
Estée Lauder is the other side of the same coin, with a portfolio of premium beauty brands, including its namesake line, Clinique, MAC, and La Mer, that got knocked down hard. Its troubles came from a few directions at once: a slump in China, weakness in the travel-retail shops found in airports where it sells a lot of product, and thinner profit margins. Add tariffs to the mix, and the stock fell well off its highs.
Here again, though, the underlying business is showing signs of life. Recent quarterly revenue has grown and come in ahead of expectations, suggesting the recovery is slowly taking hold.
Over a 10-year horizon, the case rests on two durable trends: the global appetite for prestige beauty continues to expand, especially as more consumers in emerging markets trade up, and Estée Lauder owns some of the most coveted brands in the category. The risk is that the rebound stays bumpy, particularly if China takes longer to recover, so this is a stock to buy with the expectation of volatility along the way.
What should investors do?
Buying a stock that is down 40% or more takes a strong stomach, and neither of these turnarounds is guaranteed to be smooth. Nike still has to prove its comeback can accelerate, and Estée Lauder needs its key markets to heal. But that is precisely why the prices are attractive.
When you buy for a decade, you are betting on a brand's durability rather than next quarter's numbers, and both Nike and Estée Lauder are brands that tend to outlast their slumps. I would treat them as long-term positions to build patiently, reinvesting along the way, and give the businesses the years they need to mend. Ten years from now, today's pessimism may look like the opportunity it usually proves to be for great consumer brands.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

2 Stocks Down 44% and 30% to Buy Right Now and Hold for the Next Decade

Helen of Troy Limited HELE reported first-quarter fiscal 2027 results, wherein both top and bottom lines beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate. While net sales increased, earnings decreased from the year-ago period’s actuals. Management raised net sales guidance for fiscal 2027.
HELE’s Quarterly Performance: Key Metrics & Insights
Helen of Troy posted adjusted earnings of 17 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 2 cents. However, the bottom line declined 58.5% from 41 cents reported in the year-ago period.
Helen of Troy Limited Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
The company reported net sales of $402.1 million, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $375 million. The top line increased 8.2% from $371.7 million posted in the year-ago period, driven by growth across both business segments. Home & Outdoor benefited from strong international demand for packs, successful new product launches and a favorable comparison to the prior year due to tariff-related order timing. Beauty & Wellness growth was led by strong sales of nail care products, fans and thermometers.
The consolidated gross margin decreased 110 basis points to 46% in the quarter, primarily due to the net unfavorable impact of tariffs, higher inventory obsolescence costs compared with the prior year and a less favorable customer mix within Home & Outdoor. We estimated a 47.5% gross margin.
The consolidated SG&A ratio decreased to 31% from 45.1% posted in the year-ago period, reflecting a $54.9 million pre-tax gain from the sale of a distribution facility, lower outbound freight costs, reduced depreciation and amortization, favorable operating leverage and the absence of $3.5 million in CEO succession costs incurred in the prior-year period.
The adjusted operating income remained flat at $16.1 million, while the adjusted operating margin decreased 30 bps to 4%. The margin compression was primarily caused by tariff-related cost pressures, a less favorable inventory obsolescence impact year over year and an unfavorable customer mix within Home & Outdoor, partially offset by reduced outbound freight costs and favorable operating leverage. We expected an adjusted operating margin of 3% for the quarter.
HELE’s Segmental Performance
Net sales in the Home & Outdoor segment increased 9.5% to $194.9 million, driven by strong international demand for technical, lifestyle and travel packs, new product launches, expanded distribution in the home and insulated beverageware categories, and a favorable comparison to the prior year due to tariff-related order timing. These gains were partially offset by lower international sales in the home and insulated beverageware categories.
Home & Outdoor adjusted operating income increased 39.2% to $12.3 million, while the segment adjusted operating margin increased 130 bps to 6.3%.
Net sales in the Beauty & Wellness segment gained 7% to $207.2 million, driven by growth in nail care from new and expanded distribution, higher fan and thermometer sales benefiting from an easier comparison against prior-year tariff-related direct import cancellations and disruptions in the China thermometry market, and incremental sales from new Wellness product launches.
Beauty & Wellness adjusted operating income declined 48.2% to $3.8 million, while the segment adjusted operating margin decreased 190 bps to 1.8%.
HELE’s Financial Position
Helen of Troy ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $21.7 million and total short and long-term debt of $716.1 million. Net cash used by operating activities for the fiscal first quarter was $0.6 million. The free cash flow for the same period was negative $6.4 million.
HELE’s Outlook
For fiscal 2027, the company raised its net sales guidance to $1.759-$1.831 billion, from the previous range of $1.751-$1.822 billion. The updated outlook includes Home & Outdoor sales of $859-$884 million (previously $854-$882 million) and Beauty & Wellness sales of $900-$947 million (previously $897-$940 million).
Adjusted earnings are still expected in the range of $3.25 to $3.75 per share, with adjusted EBITDA of $190 million to $197 million and free cash flow of $85 million to $100 million.
Management expects continued inflationary pressures, weak discretionary demand, cautious retailer inventory management and a highly promotional environment. The outlook assumes current tariff rates remain in place, includes $9.2 million in Phase 1 tariff refunds and excludes potential future refunds due to uncertainty. It also factors in higher product and freight costs, unfavorable Chinese yuan movements, and ongoing geopolitical and supply-chain risks that may increase input costs and disrupt supply.
This Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company has gained 50.5% in the past three months compared with the industry’s growth of 15.4%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Stocks to Consider
The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. EL manufactures, markets and sells skin care, makeup, fragrance and hair care products worldwide. It currently has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Estee Lauder’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings calls for growth of 4.5% and 59.6%, respectively, from the year-ago reported numbers. EL delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 39.1%.
Mama's Creations, Inc. MAMA manufactures and markets fresh deli-prepared foods in the United States. At present, MAMA holds a Zacks Rank of 2. Mama's Creations delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 129.2%, on average.
The consensus estimate for Mama's Creations’ current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies growth of 30% and 73.3%, respectively, from the year-ago figures.
Hormel Foods Corporation HRL develops, processes and distributes various meat, nuts and other food products to foodservice, convenience store and commercial customers in the United States and internationally. It carries a Zacks Rank of 2 at present. HRL delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 3.2%, on average.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Hormel Foods’ current fiscal-year sales and earnings indicates growth of 1.5% and 9.5%, respectively, from the prior-year reported levels.
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Helen of Troy Q1 Earnings Beat Estimates, Sales Outlook Raised

Interparfums, Inc. IPAR is increasingly leveraging digital commerce as consumer shopping habits reshape the global fragrance market. In the first quarter of 2026, the company indicated that more fragrance purchases are taking place through nontraditional retail channels such as Amazon, reflecting the growing role of digital marketplaces in product discovery and purchasing.
Consumers are increasingly discovering and engaging with fragrances through social media, major e-commerce platforms and other digital channels. This trend is also being supported by growing interest in personalized experiences, including fragrance layering and AI-driven product recommendations. Interparfums is aligning its brand strategy with these evolving consumer preferences while maintaining a consistent brand experience across digital and physical channels.
The importance of digital commerce is also evident across several brands. Donna Karan's Cashmere Mist deodorant continues to perform well on TikTok Shop and Amazon. The company also reported a 16% rebound in Be Delicious Core sales in the first quarter of 2026, reflecting improved momentum for the franchise.
Digital channels are becoming an increasingly important growth avenue in the United States, with Amazon U.S. and TikTok U.S. delivering stronger performance than several other regions. These platforms are also helping expand the company's reach among younger consumers.
As digital commerce continues to evolve, Interparfums is maintaining its focus on key online platforms where consumers increasingly discover and purchase prestige fragrances. Amazon and TikTok remain important channels for consumer engagement across several brands, reflecting the growing role of digital commerce within the company's distribution and brand-building efforts.
IPAR’s Zacks Rank & Share Price Performance
Shares of this Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) company have rallied 33.4% over the past three months, significantly outperforming the broader Consumer Discretionary sector, which declined 3.5% during the same period. Interparfums has also surpassed the industry and the S&P 500 index’s growth of 1.2% and 10.9%, respectively, during the same period.
IPAR Stock's Past 3 Months’ Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Is IPAR a Value Play Stock?
Interparfums currently trades at a forward 12-month P/E ratio of 23.66 compared with the industry average of 15.14 and the sector’s 16.59. This valuation places the stock at a noticeable premium relative to comparable peers and the sector overall.
IPAR P/E Ratio (Forward 12 Months)
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Other Stocks to Consider
The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. EL manufactures, markets and sells skin care, makeup, fragrance and hair care products worldwide. It currently sports a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Estee Lauder’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings calls for growth of 4.5% and 59.6%, respectively, from the year-ago reported numbers. EL delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 39.1%.
Five Below, Inc. FIVE operates as a specialty value retailer in the United States and currently flaunts a Zacks Rank #1. FIVE delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 70.1%, on average.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Five Below’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings calls for growth of 14.7% and 34.3%, respectively, from the year-ago reported numbers.
Dollar Tree, Inc. DLTR is an operator of discount variety stores offering a broad assortment of everyday consumables and discretionary merchandise. DLTR currently carries a Zacks Rank #2. The company delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 32.1%.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Dollar Tree’s current fiscal-year earnings and sales indicates growth of 21.4% and 6.5%, respectively, from the year-ago actuals.
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Can Digital Commerce Strengthen Interparfums' Growth Momentum?

Coty Inc. COTY is making a strategic move to simplify its business and strengthen financial position. The beauty company has agreed to return the Gucci Beauty license to Kering about a year before the original contract was set to expire. In return, Coty will receive around $400 million, giving it more flexibility to reduce debt and invest in the core brands.
Under the agreement, Coty will continue managing Gucci Beauty through at least June 30, 2027. The company will receive $250 million upfront, with another $150 million due by Sept. 30, 2027, although up to $30 million of that amount depends on certain conditions being met. Coty will also sell enough Gucci Beauty inventory to Kering to support the transition and expects to incur about $30 million in cash taxes related to the transaction. Both companies have also agreed to resolve all pending litigation related to the Gucci Beauty license, removing a legal overhang ahead of the transition.
This move marks the end of a successful chapter for Coty, which has managed the Gucci Beauty business since 2016. Gucci Beauty sales have grown more than 60% since 2019, driven by popular fragrance lines such as Gucci Flora, Bloom, Guilty and Alchemist Garden. While the license will end earlier than originally planned, the agreement gives Coty greater financial flexibility to focus on its long-term priorities.
The transaction also aligns with Coty's broader strategic direction. Management has repeatedly emphasized that deleveraging remains its top capital allocation priority while focusing investments on fewer, higher-impact brands under the Coty.Curated strategy. The company is also working to simplify the business, reduce costs and improve cash flow. This agreement supports those goals by strengthening Coty's balance sheet and giving it greater flexibility to invest in the core prestige brands.
Coty’s Zacks Rank & Share Price Performance
Shares of this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company have gained 14.9% in the past month compared with the broader Consumer Staples sector, the industry and the S&P 500 index’s rise of 3.9%, 4.5% and 1.6%, respectively.
COTY Stock's Past Month Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Is COTY a Value Play Stock?
Coty currently trades at a forward 12-month P/E ratio of 6.31, below the industry and the sector’s average of 19.33 and 17.11, respectively. This valuation positions the stock at a modest discount relative to both its direct peers and the broader consumer staples sector.
COTY P/E Ratio (Forward 12 Months)
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Stocks to Consider
The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. EL manufactures, markets and sells skin care, makeup, fragrance and hair care products worldwide. It currently sports a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Estee Lauder’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings calls for growth of 4.5% and 59.6%, respectively, from the year-ago reported numbers. EL delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 39.1%.
Five Below, Inc. FIVE operates as a specialty value retailer in the United States and currently flaunts a Zacks Rank #1. FIVE delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 70.1%, on average.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Five Below’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings calls for growth of 14.7% and 34.3%, respectively, from the year-ago reported numbers.
Dollar Tree, Inc. DLTR is an operator of discount variety stores offering a broad assortment of everyday consumables and discretionary merchandise. DLTR currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). The company delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 32.1%.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Dollar Tree’s current fiscal-year earnings and sales indicates growth of 21.4% and 6.5%, respectively, from the year-ago actuals.
Beyond Nvidia: AI's Second Wave Is Here
The AI revolution has already minted millionaires. But the stocks everyone knows about aren't likely to keep delivering the biggest profits. AI’s second wave is moving from infrastructure to implementation and these companies are at the forefront of this transition, positioned to become what Amazon and Google were to the internet era.
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Coty (COTY) : Free Stock Analysis Report
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

How Coty Is Refocusing Its Business With the Gucci Beauty Exit

Ulta Beauty, Inc. ULTA expects to generate incremental accretive growth as it continues to scale its newer businesses, including its international expansion initiatives. These investments will play an important role in the company’s long-term growth strategy while supporting the continued expansion of its global business. Ulta Beauty further strengthened its international footprint by opening new stores across multiple overseas markets, reinforcing its commitment to expanding beyond the United States.
The company highlighted the continued strength of Space NK, its U.K. and Ireland business, which continues to deliver healthy and well-balanced growth. Space NK is expanding its loyal customer base while steadily gaining market share. Ulta Beauty believes this consistent performance reinforces the strength of its international operations and provides a solid foundation for broader global expansion over the long term.
Ulta Beauty also expanded its presence in Mexico by opening two new stores, including the Madero location, a distinctive two-story location that blends modern beauty retail with the historic architecture and character of central Mexico City. In addition, franchise partner Alshaya Group opened the company’s third Middle East location at Dubai Mall, further extending Ulta Beauty’s presence across international markets through continued store expansion. While the company acknowledged that conditions in the Middle East remain fluid, it remains optimistic about the long-term potential of its flagship location and broader opportunities in the region.
Overall, Ulta Beauty continues to pursue a disciplined long-term international expansion strategy as it invests in newer growth businesses. As the company continues to expand its international operations through Space NK, Mexico and the Middle East, management expects these newer businesses to contribute incremental accretive growth over time while supporting its long-term growth strategy.
The Zacks Rundown for ULTA
The company’s shares have lost 4.6% in the past year compared with the industry’s 13.8% decline.
From a valuation standpoint, ULTA trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 15.06, higher than the industry’s average of 14.41. ULTA currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ULTA’s current and next fiscal year earnings implies a year-over-year rise of 11.8% and 11.3%, respectively.
Stocks to Consider
Some better-ranked stocks have been discussed below:
Five Below, Inc. FIVE operates as a specialty value retailer in the United States. At present, Five Below sports a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for FIVE’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies growth of 14.7% and 34.3%, respectively, from the year-ago figures. FIVE delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 70.1%, on average.
The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. EL manufactures, markets, and sells skin care, makeup, fragrance, and hair care products worldwide. At present, EL flaunts a Zacks Rank of 1.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for EL’s current fiscal-year sales and earnings indicates growth of 4.5% and 59.6%, respectively, from the year-ago figures. EL delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 39.1%, on average.
Interparfums, Inc. IPAR manufactures, markets, and distributes a range of fragrances and fragrance-related products in the United States and internationally. At present, the company carries a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy).
The consensus estimate for Interparfums’ current fiscal-year sales and earnings implies a decline of 0.1% and 8%, respectively, from the year-ago figures. IPAR delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 8%, on average.
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The AI revolution has already minted millionaires. But the stocks everyone knows about aren't likely to keep delivering the biggest profits. AI’s second wave is moving from infrastructure to implementation and these companies are at the forefront of this transition, positioned to become what Amazon and Google were to the internet era.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Ulta Beauty's International Expansion: Next Growth Frontier?

Key Points
Colgate-Palmolive doesn’t depend on the U.S. market to drive sales growth.
The company’s margins are strong, although they have ticked down in recent years.
Colgate-Palmolive is expensive for all the right reasons.
As of market close on July 3, the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) and the Nasdaq-100 are up 9.3% and 16.2%, respectively, year to date (YTD). This is well ahead of their historical average annual gains. The tech sector, especially semiconductor stocks, has been the driver of broader market returns. But that doesn't mean all value stocks are underperforming the major indexes.
Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE: CL) is up 20.4% YTD. And it's also an ultra-reliable dividend stock that has paid uninterrupted dividends since 1895 and has increased its payout for 63 consecutive years. That streak earns Colgate-Palmolive a spot on the list of Dividend Kings, which are companies that have paid and increased their dividends for at least 50 consecutive years.
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Here's why Colgate-Palmolive remains a top buy now even after its recent run-up.
Colgate-Palmolive is at the top of its game
Colgate-Palmolive has been a standout in the household and personal products industry. The company is guiding for 2026 net sales growth of 2% to 6% and organic sales growth of 1% to 4% at a time when many of its peers are experiencing sales declines. And even with margins under pressure, Colgate-Palmolive remains one of the most profitable companies in its industry. By comparison, Unilever, Kenvue, Church & Dwight, Clorox, Kimberly-Clark, and Estee Lauder all have operating margins under 20%.
The industry has been dealing with inflationary pressures and consumer resistance to price increases. But Colgate-Palmolive has done a masterful job of navigating these challenges through its elite brand portfolio, highly efficient supply chain and operations, and geographic diversification.
In addition to its flagship Colgate and Palmolive brands, the company owns Softsoap, Irish Spring, Tom's of Maine, and Speed Stick, among others. One of Colgate-Palmolive's top brands, Hill's Pet Nutrition, made up 23% of total 2025 sales.
Without factoring in Hill's, Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), Latin America, and Asia Pacific sales are more than triple those of North America, which has helped make Colgate-Palmolive resistant to U.S.-specific inflationary pressures. In the first quarter of 2026, North America was the only region that reported declining net and organic sales, while Latin America and EMEA posted double-digit growth and total company net sales rose 8.4% year over year.
A dividend you can count on
Colgate-Palmolive is far from cheap -- trading at 25 times forward earnings -- because the stock price has been rising faster than the company's earnings growth. But Colgate-Palmolive deserves its premium valuation because its results are solid despite a difficult operating environment. This resilience is particularly appealing to risk-averse folks seeking a stable passive income stream to help supplement retirement income. If inflationary pressures ease and consumer spending improves, a rising tide will lift the broader household and personal products industry. But Colgate-Palmolive isn't dependent on those factors to drive sales growth.
Colgate-Palmolive yields 2.2%, which is good but not quite high-yield territory. Many of its peers offer higher yields because they distribute the vast majority of their cash flow to shareholders through dividends, whereas Colgate-Palmolive's dividend is highly affordable. Its trailing-12-month free cash flow per share is at an all-time high of $4.66, well over double its $2.06 per-share annualized dividend.
So while Colgate-Palmolive could easily afford to pay a higher dividend, the company prefers a balanced approach of using cash to reinvest in the business, paying a steadily growing (and manageable) dividend, and buying back stock. Colgate-Palmolive has reduced its share count by 10% over the last decade, which has helped make the stock a better value.
Investing in a market leader
Colgate-Palmolive's geographic diversification and portfolio of leading brands across pet nutrition and oral, personal, and home care make it highly recession resistant. The company continues to deliver solid growth through volume and price increases, while many of its peers face a difficult trade-off: either cutting prices to drive volume or keeping prices high at the expense of lower sales volumes.
All told, Colgate-Palmolive stands out as one of the most reliable dividend-paying stocks on the market. It's a top buy for the second half of the year for investors who don't mind paying a premium price for a quality company.
Should you buy stock in Colgate-Palmolive right now?
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Daniel Foelber has positions in Estée Lauder Companies, Kenvue, and Kimberly Clark. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Colgate-Palmolive. The Motley Fool recommends Kenvue and Unilever. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Meet the Dividend King Stock That's Up 20% in 2026. Here's Why It Can Continue Outperforming the S&P 500 and Nasdaq-100 in the Second Half.

For new and old investors, taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals. Zacks Premium provides lots of different ways to do both.
Featuring daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, the research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor.
Zacks Premium also includes the Zacks Style Scores.
What are the Zacks Style Scores?
The Zacks Style Scores is a unique set of guidelines that rates stocks based on three popular investing types, and were developed as complementary indicators for the Zacks Rank. This combination helps investors choose securities with the highest chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.
Each stock is assigned a rating of A, B, C, D, or F based on their value, growth, and momentum characteristics. Just like in school, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on -- that means the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.
The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:
Value Score
For value investors, it's all about finding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under their true value before the broader market catches on. The Value Style Score utilizes ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and a host of other multiples to help pick out the most attractive and discounted stocks.
Growth Score
Growth investors, on the other hand, are more concerned with a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score examines things like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will experience sustainable growth over time.
Momentum Score
Momentum trading is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook, and these investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." The Momentum Style Score can pinpoint good times to build a position in a stock, using factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates.
VGM Score
What if you like to use all three types of investing? The VGM Score is a combination of all Style Scores, making it one of the most comprehensive indicators to use with the Zacks Rank. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, which helps narrow down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.
How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank
The Zacks Rank is a proprietary stock-rating model that harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to help investors build a successful portfolio.
#1 (Strong Buy) stocks have produced an unmatched +23.94% average annual return since 1988, which is more than double the S&P 500's performance over the same time frame. However, the Zacks Rank examines a ton of stocks, and there can be more than 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, and another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.
This totals more than 800 top-rated stocks, and it can be overwhelming to try and pick the best stocks for you and your portfolio.
That's where the Style Scores come in.
To maximize your returns, you want to buy stocks with the highest probability of success. This means picking stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you find yourself looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, make sure they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.
The direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should always be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy, since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank.
For instance, a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one that boasts Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings forecast, and a much greater likelihood its share price will decline as well.
Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.
Stock to Watch: Estee Lauder (EL)
New York-based The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. is one of the world's leading manufacturers and marketers of skin care, makeup, fragrance and hair care products. The company’s products are sold through department stores, mass retailers, company-owned retail stores, hair salons and travel-related establishments.
EL is a #2 (Buy) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.
Momentum investors should take note of this Consumer Staples stock. EL has a Momentum Style Score of B, and shares are up 1% over the past four weeks.
Eight analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.15 to $2.41 per share. EL also boasts an average earnings surprise of +39.1%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Momentum and VGM Style Scores, EL should be on investors' short list.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Why Estee Lauder (EL) is a Top Momentum Stock for the Long-Term

In the latest look at the underlying components of the S&P 500 ordered by largest market capitalization, Packaging Corp of America (Symbol: PKG) has taken over the #372 spot from Estee Lauder Cos., Inc. (Symbol: EL), according to The Online Investor.
Market capitalization is an important data point for investors to keep an eye on, for various reasons. The most basic reason is that it gives a true comparison of the value attributed by the stock market to a given company's stock. Many beginning investors look at one stock trading at $10 and another trading at $20 and mistakenly think the latter company is worth twice as much — that of course is a completely meaningless comparison without knowing how many shares of each company exist. But comparing market capitalization (factoring in those share counts) creates a true "apples-to-apples" comparison of the value of two stocks. In the case of Packaging Corp of America (Symbol: PKG), the market cap is now $21.20 billion, versus Estee Lauder Cos., Inc. (Symbol: EL) at $20.39 billion.
Below is a chart of Packaging Corp of America versus Estee Lauder Cos., Inc. plotting their respective size rank within the S&P 500 over time (PKG plotted in blue; EL plotted in green):
Below is a three month price history chart comparing the stock performance of PKG vs. EL:
Another reason market capitalization is important is where it places a company in terms of its size tier in relation to peers — much like the way a mid-size sedan is typically compared to other mid-size sedans (and not SUV's). This can have a direct impact on which mutual funds and ETFs are willing to own the stock. For instance, a mutual fund that is focused solely on Large Cap stocks may for example only be interested in those companies sized $10 billion or larger. Another illustrative example is the S&P MidCap index which essentially takes the S&P 500 index and "tosses out" the biggest 100 companies so as to focus solely on the 400 smaller "up-and-comers" (which in the right environment can outperform their larger rivals). So a company's market cap, especially in relation to other companies, carries great importance, and for this reason we at The Online Investor find value to putting together these rankings daily.
Examine the full PKG market cap history vs. the full EL market cap history.
At the closing bell, PKG is up about 0.1%, while EL is up about 1.7% on the day Thursday.
Further PKG Research:
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Indicator	TTM Median
P/E	0.00 19.15
Price/Sales	2.58 0.76
P/B	7.11 1.77
P/FCF	26.23 16.56

Indicator	TTM Median
ROE	0.00 14.58
ROA	0.00 6.73
ROI	0.00 9.26
Net Worth	26.12 1.28
Quick Ratio	0.94 0.79
Current Ratio	1.27 1.33

Indicator	TTM Median
Net Profit Margin	0.00 6.30
Operating Margin	2.89 8.37
Gross Margin	74.71 33.06
Return on tangible equity	0.00 23.41

Indicator	TTM Median
EPS	0.91 0.62
EPS Forecast	0.66 0.48
Revenue	3.71B 142.00M
Gross Profit	2.84B —
EBITDA	450.00M —

Estee Lauder Companies, Inc. (The)

Recent quarterly and TTM performance

Valuation

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Revenue