Tag: ULTA

Warren Buffett Adds New Stocks to Berkshire Hathaway’s Portfolio

by Fred Fuld III

3 minutes read time

Warren Buffett, often referred to as the “Oracle of Omaha,” has long been regarded as one of the most successful and astute investors in modern history. As the chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-A) (BRK-B), Buffett has built a reputation for making strategic, long-term investments that have paid off handsomely. His investment philosophy revolves around purchasing undervalued companies with strong fundamentals and holding onto them for the long haul.

Each year, investors eagerly await Buffett’s moves, as his decisions have the potential to signal broader market trends. In a surprising turn of events earlier this year, Buffett made new additions to Berkshire Hathaway’s vast portfolio by purchasing shares in two companies—Ulta Beauty (ULTA) and HEICO Corporation (HEI) (HEI-A).

Ulta Beauty, a leading retailer of cosmetics, skincare products, and salon services, is a particularly interesting choice for Buffett. Known for its wide selection of both high-end and mass-market beauty products, Ulta has managed to carve out a dominant space in the beauty industry. Despite the broader economic challenges affecting retail businesses, Ulta has continued to show resilience, driven by strong consumer demand for beauty products and an innovative omni-channel strategy that integrates online shopping with in-store experiences.

The company’s focus on customer loyalty through its popular rewards program has also helped to secure a dedicated customer base. For Buffett, a renowned value investor, the decision to invest in Ulta may reflect his confidence in the beauty industry’s growth potential and the company’s ability to withstand market fluctuations.

Ulta stock has a trailing and forward price to earnings ratio of 15. Although quarterly earnings per share tanked by 12% year-over-year, annual earnings are expected to grow by 7.9% next year. The return on equity is about 55%. The stock, with a market cap of $17.8 billion, does not pay a dividend.

HEICO Corporation, on the other hand, represents a different sector altogether. Specializing in aerospace and defense technology, HEICO is a leading producer of parts for aircraft, satellites, and defense equipment. The company has established a strong reputation for providing cost-effective and innovative solutions to the aerospace industry, an area of increasing importance given the ongoing global demand for air travel and advancements in space exploration.

HEICO’s unique position as a supplier to both commercial and military sectors makes it an appealing investment for long-term growth, particularly as governments and private companies alike invest in expanding their aerospace capabilities. For Berkshire Hathaway, HEICO fits the mold of a company with strong fundamentals and a clear path to future growth.

The stock has a trailing P/E of 76 and a forward P/E of 61, and pays a small dividend of 21 cents a share. This $36 billion market cap company sports earnings per share growth this year of over 25% with a growth rate next year of almost 17%. Sales growth jumped 43% year-ver-year. Return on equity is currently 14.8%.

Buffett’s investments in Ulta Beauty and HEICO Corporation are notable not just because of the companies themselves, but because they signal a broader strategy of diversification within Berkshire Hathaway’s portfolio. By investing in a beauty retailer and an aerospace company, Buffett appears to be hedging against risks in the broader economy, while also tapping into industries with significant growth potential. As always, Buffett’s moves have sparked considerable interest, with investors eager to see how these new additions will perform in the years to come. While only time will tell whether these investments will yield the same success as some of his previous picks, it’s clear that even at 93 years old, Warren Buffett remains as sharp as ever in identifying promising opportunities.

Disclosure: Author didn’t have any positions in any of the above stocks at the time the article was written.

If Cosmetics Companies are Recession Proof, Should You Be Buying Their Stocks?

by Fred Fuld III

You may have heard that the beauty industry is immune to recessions. Here are some reasons why.

  • Cosmetics are a necessity for many people. Even during tough economic times, people still want to look their best. Cosmetics can help people feel more confident and put-together, which can be especially important during times of stress.
  • Cosmetics are a relatively affordable luxury. Compared to other discretionary spending, such as travel or entertainment, cosmetics are relatively inexpensive. This makes them an attractive option for people who are trying to save money during a recession.
  • The cosmetic industry is constantly innovating. New products and trends are always emerging, which keeps consumers interested and spending. This makes the cosmetic industry less vulnerable to economic downturns than other industries that are more stagnant.

Of course, no industry is completely recession-proof. However, the cosmetic industry is generally considered to be more recession-resistant than other industries. This is due to the factors listed above.

Here are some additional points to consider:

  • Cosmetics can be a way to boost morale. During tough times, people may be looking for ways to improve their mood. Cosmetics can be a way to do this, as they can make people feel more confident and attractive.
  • Cosmetics can be a way to express oneself. People may use cosmetics to express their personal style or to reflect their mood. This can be especially important during times of change or uncertainty.

Overall, the cosmetic industry is a relatively resilient industry that is not as vulnerable to economic downturns as other industries.

So if makeup companies are so good for surviving a recession, there are several stocks that are involved in this arena.

Coty Inc. (COTY) is a French-American multinational beauty company founded in 1904 by François Coty. With its subsidiaries, it develops, manufactures, markets, and distributes fragrances, cosmetics, skin care, nail care, and both professional and retail hair care products. Coty is one of the leading beauty companies in the world. The company has a portfolio of over 70 brands, and it operates in over 150 countries. Coty is committed to innovation, and it is constantly developing new products and services. Coty is a respected brand that is known for its high-quality products and its innovative marketing campaigns.

The stock has a fairly high price to earnings ratio of 67 but trades at a more reasonable 26 times earnings. Quarterly earnings growth year-over-year were up an incredible 108% on an 8.7% increase in sales.

e.l.f. Beauty, Inc.(ELF) is a cosmetics company based in Oakland, California. The company was founded in 2004 by Joseph Shamah and Scott D. Weiss. e.l.f. stands for “Eyes Lips Face,” which reflects the company’s focus on affordable, high-quality cosmetics.

e.l.f. Beauty sells its products through a variety of channels, including its own website, e-commerce retailers, and brick-and-mortar stores. The company’s products are also available in over 60 countries worldwide.

e.l.f. Beauty is known for its affordable prices, its wide range of products, and its commitment to cruelty-free and vegan cosmetics. The company has been praised by consumers and critics alike for its high-quality products and its innovative marketing campaigns.

In recent years, e.l.f. Beauty has experienced rapid growth. In 2015, the company’s revenue was $100 million. By 2021, revenue had grown to $578.84 million. e.l.f. Beauty is now one of the leading cosmetics companies in the United States.

The stock has a trailing P/E ratio of 95 and a forward P/E of 50. Earnings per share quarter over quarter were 891.30% on a 78.30% rise in revenues.

The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (EL) reported a net profit of $1.091 billion for the twelve months ending March 31, 2023. This represents a decline of 67.49% from the net profit of $3.48 billion reported for the twelve months ending March 31, 2022.

The decline in profit was due to a number of factors, including:

  • A 12.42% decline in revenue for the twelve months ending March 31, 2023, to $15.862 billion.
  • Increased costs, including marketing and advertising expenses.
  • Impairment charges related to certain discontinued operations.

Despite the decline in profit, The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. remains a profitable company. The company’s strong brands, global reach, and focus on innovation position it well for continued growth in the years to come.

Here is a table showing The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.’s net profit for the past three years:

YearNet Profit (in millions)
20231.091
20223.48
20212.87

With a forward P/E of 37 , this is one of the few cosmetics companies that pays a dividend. The current yield is 1.38%.

Ulta Beauty, Inc. (ULTA) is a leading beauty retailer in the United States. The company operates over 1,300 stores across the country, and it also sells products online through its website and mobile app. Ulta Beauty offers a wide variety of beauty products, including cosmetics, fragrance, skin care, hair care, and salon services.

Ulta Beauty was founded in 1990, and it has grown rapidly in recent years. The company’s revenue has increased from $1.5 billion in 2009 to $14.3 billion in 2022. Ulta Beauty is now the largest beauty retailer in the United States, and it is the second-largest beauty retailer in the world.

The stock has one of the most favorable earnings ratios of the group, trading at 18 times trailing earnings and 17 times forward earnings.

A couple more makeup companies worth looking at which trade over-the-counter are the French company L’Oréal S.A. (LRLCY) with a P/E of 39 and a yield of 1.48%, and the Japanese company Shiseido Company, Limited (SSDOY) trading at 73 times earnings and yielding 1.54%.

Maybe some of these companies can make your portfolio look better.

Disclosure: Author didn’t own any of the above at the time the article was written.