"Ulta Beauty Stock Plummets Amid CEO's Warning of Slowing Demand"
Ulta Beauty's stock plunged 15% after executives warned of slowing consumer demand for beauty products, impacting shares of industry peers like Elf Beauty and Estee Lauder. The company cited a cooling in both mass and prestige segments, attributing it to factors such as higher credit-card debt and the resumption of student loan payments. Analysts expressed surprise at the moderation and uncertainty about its duration, while some believed the market reaction was overdone. Despite the slower start to the year, some analysts anticipate continued strength in the beauty sector supported by innovation and increased consumer engagement.