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Evercore ISI maintains price target on ULTA stock amid market slowdown

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On Wednesday, Evercore ISI reiterated its Outperform rating on ULTA Salon (NASDAQ: ULTA) with a consistent price target of $630.00. The firm’s stance remains positive even as beauty stocks experience a downturn following Ulta’s recent announcement regarding a slowdown in the U.S. beauty market. The market deceleration is noted to be more significant and earlier than anticipated, affecting a range of price points and segments.

According to Evercore ISI, retail sales for U.S. Mass Beauty brands have moderated, growing at a rate of 3-4% up to March 24, compared to the 7% growth observed in the fourth quarter of the previous year. This slowdown is reflected in sales data that includes mass beauty brands sold through major retailers like Walmart (NYSE:), Target, and drugstores, which are distinct from higher-end ‘prestige’ brands.

The analysis also takes into account actual retail sales on Amazon (NASDAQ:), specifically focusing on first-party sales, thereby excluding marketplace or distributor sales to better align with reported sales figures.

The report from Evercore ISI suggests that the current trading conditions present a buying opportunity for certain stocks in the beauty sector. The firm points to Coty (NYSE:), highlighting that retailer reorders for fragrances remain robust, although they are subject to the law of larger numbers. This insight follows a recent meeting with Coty’s CEO and CFO.

Moreover, Estee Lauder (NYSE:) is also mentioned as a potential beneficiary amidst the market dip. The launch of Clinique on Amazon last week is seen as a strategic move. Additionally, the firm notes that online data from China is showing promising signs for the brand. Evercore ISI’s analysis underscores the dynamic nature of the beauty market and the potential for strategic maneuvers to mitigate broader market trends.

InvestingPro Insights

As investors weigh Evercore ISI’s optimistic outlook on ULTA Salon, current metrics from InvestingPro offer additional context. ULTA’s market capitalization stands at $21.42 billion, reflecting its significant presence in the beauty market. The company’s P/E ratio, a key indicator of market expectations of growth and profitability, is 16.99, suggesting a premium valuation compared to the industry average. This is further underscored by a higher adjusted P/E ratio of 19.43 for the last twelve months as of Q4 2023, indicating investors’ confidence in the company’s earnings potential.

Despite the broader market slowdown, ULTA’s financial health appears robust, with a strong gross profit margin of 42.95% over the last twelve months as of Q4 2023. This profitability, coupled with a return on assets of 23.31%, highlights ULTA’s efficiency in utilizing its asset base. Moreover, ULTA has experienced a significant 31.82% price uptick over the last six months, demonstrating investor enthusiasm for the stock.

InvestingPro Tips indicate that ULTA operates with a moderate level of debt and has liquid assets that exceed short-term obligations, suggesting financial stability. Additionally, while ULTA is trading at a high Price/Book multiple of 11.01, analysts predict the company will remain profitable this year. For those looking to delve deeper, InvestingPro provides an additional 10 tips for ULTA, accessible at Investing.com. Investors can take advantage of these insights with an additional 10% off a yearly or biyearly Pro and Pro+ subscription using coupon code PRONEWS24.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

Stock Markets

BioAge Labs (BIOA) Azelaprag Trial Halt Raises Questions About Pre-IPO Disclosures – Hagens Berman

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San Francisco, California–(Newsfile Corp. – December 25, 2024) – On December 9, 2024, just months after conducting an initial public offering in September 2024, BioAge Labs, Inc. (NASDAQ: BIOA) made the startling announcement that it was discontinuing a Phase 2 study for its lead product, azelaprag, intended to treat metabolic diseases such as obesity.

Hagens Berman has opened an investigation and urges investors in BioAge who purchased shares in the company’s IPO or on the open market and suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now.

Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/bioa
Contact the Firm Now: BIOA@hbsslaw.com
844-916-0895

BioAge Labs, Inc. (BIOA) Investigation:

The investigation is focused on the propriety of BioAge’s disclosures about the safety data and other matters related to azelaprag, which the company said in its IPO documents has been “well-tolerated in 265 individuals across eight Phase 1 clinical trials.”

BioAge’s disclosures came into question after the market closed on December 6, 2024, when the company announced the discontinuation of the STRIDES Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating azelaprag in combination with tirzepatide for the treatment of obesity. BioAge said that liver transaminitis was observed in patients receiving azelaprag.

This news drove the price of BioAge shares down almost 80% on December 9, 2024.

“We’re focused on whether BioAge was transparent to investors about the azelaprag safety profile before the December 6 announcement,” said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the investigation.

If you invested in BioAge and have substantial losses, or have knowledge that may assist the firm’s investigation, submit your losses now »

If you’d like more information and answers to frequently asked questions about the BioAge investigation, read more »

Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding BioAge should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email BIOA@hbsslaw.com.

# # #

About Hagens Berman
Hagens Berman is a global plaintiffs’ rights complex litigation firm focusing on corporate accountability. The firm is home to a robust practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and other wrongdoings. Hagens Berman’s team has secured more than $2.9 billion in this area of law. More about the firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/235182

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Celsius Holdings (CELH) Hit with Investor Class Action Amid Accusations of Oversold Inventory to Pepsi- Hagens Berman

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CELH Investors with Losses Encouraged to Contact the Firm

San Francisco, California–(Newsfile Corp. – December 25, 2024) – Celsius Holdings (NASDAQ:), Inc. (NASDAQ: CELH) and certain of its C-Suite officers are embroiled in a securities class action lawsuit, claiming they misrepresented and concealed crucial information about the company’s financial performance, especially concerning its key customer, PepsiCo (NASDAQ:).

Hagens Berman is investigating the allegations and urges investors in Celsius who purchased shares and suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now.

Class Period: Feb. 29, 2024 – Sept. 4, 2024
Lead Plaintiff Deadline: Jan. 21, 2025
Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/celh
Contact the Firm Now: CELH@hbsslaw.com
844-916-0895

Celsius Holdings, Inc. (CELH) Securities Class Action (WA:):

The lawsuit alleges that during the Class Period, Celsius failed to disclose to investors several critical points:

  1. Oversold Inventory: Celsius significantly oversold inventory to Pepsi beyond demand, leading to a potential drastic reduction in future purchases.
  2. Declining Sales: As Pepsi depleted its overstock, Celsius’ sales were projected to decline, impacting its financial health and outlook.
  3. Unsustainable Sales Rates: The sales rates to Pepsi were unsustainable and created a misleading impression of the company’s performance.
  4. Misleading Metrics: Consequently, Celsius’ business metrics and financial prospects were overstated

The situation came to light on May 28, 2024, when Celsius’ stock price plummeted nearly 13% following reports from Nielsen indicating slowed sales growth. Analysts highlighted the possibility of significantly reduced sales as Pepsi cut back its inventory.

The stock took another hit on September 4, 2024, dropping over 11% after a company presentation revealed a shortfall of $100 million to $120 million in Pepsi orders compared to the previous year. It was also disclosed that Pepsi had held several million excess cases over the last 18 months.

These revelations have led shareholder rights firm Hagens Berman to investigate the allegations.

“We’re investigating whether Celsius deliberately painted an overly optimistic picture of its relationship with Pepsi, misleading investors about the true state of its financial health and sales sustainability,” said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the investigation.

If you invested in Celsius and have substantial losses, or have knowledge that may assist the firm’s investigation, submit your losses now »

If you’d like more information and answers to frequently asked questions about the Celsius case and our investigation, read more »

Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding Celsius Holdings should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email CELH@hbsslaw.com.

# # #

About Hagens Berman
Hagens Berman is a global plaintiffs’ rights complex litigation firm focusing on corporate accountability. The firm is home to a robust practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and other wrongdoings. Hagens Berman’s team has secured more than $2.9 billion in this area of law. More about the firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/235180

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Suriname fugitive ex-President Desi Bouterse dead at 79

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By Ank Kuipers

PARAMARIBO (Reuters) -Suriname’s fugitive former President Desi Bouterse has died aged 79, the country’s government said on Wednesday, almost a year after he fled authorities to avoid jail following his conviction over the murder of 15 political activists in 1982.

“The government has been informed through the family and its own investigations of the passing of Mr. D. Bouterse, ex-President of the Republic of Suriname,” Foreign Minister Albert Ramdin told Reuters.

The former leader died on Tuesday, the government said, without confirming where, or even in which country. Last week Surinamese authorities raided his home – where supporters gathered to pay their respects on Wednesday morning – but did not find him.

Surinamese President Chan Santokhi, who investigated the case as a police commissioner and later as justice minister, expressed condolences to Bouterse’s family and urged calm in a statement.

“In the spirit of the holiday season and year-end, the president calls on all to remain dignified and calm, maintain peace and order and engage in prayer in the spirit of these special days,” the statement said.

Bouterse dominated politics in the tiny South American country for decades, leading a coup in 1980 and finally leaving office in 2020.

In 2019 he and six others were convicted for their role in the 1982 murders of 15 leading government critics – including lawyers, journalists, union leaders, soldiers and university professors – for which Bouterse received a 20-year prison sentence. 

Bouterse had claimed the murdered men were connected to a planned invasion of the former Dutch colony. 

Following years of legal back and forth, Bouterse was ordered to report to prison in January but he did not show up on the appointed date.

Though Bouterse avoided prison by going on the run, Reed Brody, a U.S. war crimes prosecutor who monitored the case for the International Commission of Jurists, said justice had caught up with the convicted former president before he died.

© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: Former Suriname president Desi Bouterse speaks during a news conference in Paramaribo, Suriname August 31, 2021. REUTERS/Ranu Abhelakh/File Photo

“Thanks to the victims’ relatives and their supporters who never gave up, Bouterse will go down in history as a convicted murderer,” Brody said.

The former president’s family will make a statement later on Wednesday, members of his political party told journalists. 

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