Ulta reported much better-than-expected first-quarter earnings per share
The shares of Ulta Beauty Inc (NASDAQ:ULTA) are up 5.1% to trade at $345.00 at last check, after the beauty retailer reported first-quarter earnings of $4.07 per share -- much higher than analysts' anticipated $1.95 per share -- as well as revenue in line with expectations. To follow, no fewer than 12 analysts chimed in with price-target hikes, including a lofty one from Barclays to $452.
ULTA has been consolidating on the charts since its March 11 annual high of $351.00, with pullbacks caught by the $300 level. However, today's bull gap earlier touched a fresh annual high of $351.72. The 100-day moving average, which the stock closed below this month for the first time since early November, has moved in as recent support as well.
Options traders have been quick to the draw this morning, with options volume running at 12 times what's typically seen at this point. So far, 15,000 calls and 7,375 puts have crossed the tape. The weekly 5/28 355-strike call, which expires at the end of the day, is seeing the most activity, with new positions being opened there as well.
Lastly, it's worth noting that short interest makes up 3.8% of the stock's available float. In other words, it would take nearly three days to buy back these bearish bets, at ULTA's average pace of trading.