Laser Focus World is an industry bedrock—first published in 1965 and still going strong. We publish original articles about cutting-edge advances in lasers, optics, photonics, sensors, and quantum technologies, as well as test and measurement, and the shift currently underway to usher in the photonic integrated circuits, optical interconnects, and copackaged electronics and photonics to deliver the speed and efficiency essential for data centers of the future.

Our 80,000 qualified print subscribers—and 130,000 12-month engaged online audience—trust us to dive in and provide original journalism you won’t find elsewhere covering key emerging areas such as laser-driven inertial confinement fusion, lasers in space, integrated photonics, chipscale lasers, LiDAR, metasurfaces, high-energy laser weaponry, photonic crystals, and quantum computing/sensors/communications. We cover the innovations driving these markets.

Laser Focus World is part of Endeavor Business Media, a division of EndeavorB2B.

Laser Focus World Membership

Never miss any articles, videos, podcasts, or webinars by signing up for membership access to Laser Focus World online. You can manage your preferences all in one place—and provide our editorial team with your valued feedback.

Magazine Subscription

Can you subscribe to receive our print issue for free? Yes, you sure can!

Newsletter Subscription

Laser Focus World newsletter subscription is free to qualified professionals:

The Daily Beam

Showcases the newest content from Laser Focus World, including photonics- and optics-based applications, components, research, and trends. (Daily)

Product Watch

The latest in products within the photonics industry. (9x per year)

Bio & Life Sciences Product Watch

The latest in products within the biophotonics industry. (4x per year)

Laser Processing Product Watch

The latest in products within the laser processing industry. (3x per year)

Get Published!

If you’d like to write an article for us, reach out with a short pitch to Sally Cole Johnson: [email protected]. We love to hear from you.

Photonics Hot List

Laser Focus World produces a video newscast that gives a peek into what’s happening in the world of photonics.

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast dives deep into the fascinating world of photonics. Our weekly episodes feature interviews and discussions with industry and research experts, providing valuable perspectives on the issues, technologies, and trends shaping the photonics community.

Editorial Advisory Board

  • Professor Andrea M. Armani, University of Southern California
  • Ruti Ben-Shlomi, Ph.D., LightSolver
  • James Butler, Ph.D., Hamamatsu
  • Natalie Fardian-Melamed, Ph.D., Columbia University
  • Justin Sigley, Ph.D., AmeriCOM
  • Professor Birgit Stiller, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, and Leibniz University of Hannover
  • Professor Stephen Sweeney, University of Glasgow
  • Mohan Wang, Ph.D., University of Oxford
  • Professor Xuchen Wang, Harbin Engineering University
  • Professor Stefan Witte, Delft University of Technology

5 Must-Read Analyst Questions From Ulta’s Q2 Earnings Call

ULTA Cover Image

Ulta delivered a well-received second quarter, surpassing Wall Street’s expectations on both revenue and earnings. Management attributed this outperformance to robust growth in core categories, effective promotional strategies, and the ongoing traction of the Ulta Beauty Unleashed strategy. CEO Kecia Steelman highlighted that the company’s “comp sales growth of 6.7% was driven by balanced contribution from newness and core assortment growth,” emphasizing strong performance in fragrance, skincare, and loyalty membership expansion. Ulta also benefited from operational improvements, including lower inventory shrink and enhanced in-store execution, which contributed to improved margins and guest satisfaction.

Is now the time to buy ULTA? Find out in our full research report (it’s free).

Ulta (ULTA) Q2 CY2025 Highlights:

  • Revenue: $2.79 billion vs analyst estimates of $2.68 billion (9.3% year-on-year growth, 4.2% beat)
  • EPS (GAAP): $5.78 vs analyst estimates of $5.04 (14.7% beat)
  • Adjusted EBITDA: $416 million vs analyst estimates of $375.2 million (14.9% margin, 10.9% beat)
  • The company lifted its revenue guidance for the full year to $12.05 billion at the midpoint from $11.6 billion, a 3.9% increase
  • EPS (GAAP) guidance for the full year is $24.08 at the midpoint, beating analyst estimates by 2%
  • Operating Margin: 12.4%, in line with the same quarter last year
  • Locations: 1,473 at quarter end, up from 1,411 in the same quarter last year
  • Same-Store Sales rose 6.7% year on year (-1.2% in the same quarter last year)
  • Market Capitalization: $23.81 billion

While we enjoy listening to the management's commentary, our favorite part of earnings calls are the analyst questions. Those are unscripted and can often highlight topics that management teams would rather avoid or topics where the answer is complicated. Here is what has caught our attention.

Our Top 5 Analyst Questions From Ulta’s Q2 Earnings Call

  • Dana Telsey (Telsey Advisory Group) asked about the sustainability of comp growth and the impact of operational improvements. CEO Kecia Steelman stressed the ongoing momentum of the Ulta Beauty Unleashed plan and noted the company remains prudent in its guidance due to consumer uncertainty.
  • Michael Binetti (Evercore) questioned assumptions behind comp guidance and margin leverage. Steelman highlighted strong first-half performance and emphasized that while the operating environment is dynamic, long-term goals remain unchanged as Ulta focuses on strategic investments.
  • Adrienne Yih (Barclays) inquired about the promotional environment and wellness strategy. Steelman explained Ulta is evolving its promotional calendar for profitable growth and sees significant opportunity in expanding the wellness category, targeting long-term growth to $1 billion.
  • Simeon Gutman (Morgan Stanley) sought clarification on operating margin philosophy. Steelman stated Ulta is prioritizing operating profit dollars and balancing reinvestment with returns, aiming for sustained top-line momentum in a competitive sector.
  • Susan Anderson (Canaccord Genuity) asked about the rationale for acquiring Space NK versus organic international growth. Steelman explained the acquisition offers a less capital-intensive entry into the U.K. market and provides operational learnings for future international expansion.

Catalysts in Upcoming Quarters

Looking ahead, the StockStory team is closely monitoring (1) the ramp-up and performance of Ulta’s new online marketplace and exclusive brand launches, (2) the integration and growth of Space NK in the U.K. and the opening of new stores in Mexico and the Middle East, and (3) the sustainability of margin improvements amid cost pressures and evolving promotional dynamics. Execution on digital innovation and wellness category expansion will also be key markers of progress.

Ulta currently trades at $530.01, in line with $530.29 just before the earnings. At this price, is it a buy or sell? The answer lies in our full research report (it’s free).

The Best Stocks for High-Quality Investors

Donald Trump’s April 2025 "Liberation Day" tariffs sent markets into a tailspin, but stocks have since rebounded strongly, proving that knee-jerk reactions often create the best buying opportunities.

The smart money is already positioning for the next leg up. Don’t miss out on the recovery - check out our Top 6 Stocks for this week. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 183% over the last five years (as of March 31st 2025).

Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,545% between March 2020 and March 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-small-cap company Comfort Systems (+782% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today.

StockStory is growing and hiring equity analyst and marketing roles. Are you a 0 to 1 builder passionate about the markets and AI? See the open roles here.

Stock Quote API & Stock News API supplied by www.cloudquote.io
Quotes delayed at least 20 minutes.
By accessing this page, you agree to the following
Privacy Policy and Terms Of Service.