Ulta Beauty, Inc. Goodwill & Intangibles Disclosure
7. Goodwill
The changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill during fiscal 2025 and 2024 were as follows:
January 31, | February 1, | |||||
(In thousands) | 2026 | | 2025 | |||
Beginning balance | $ | 10,870 | $ | 10,870 | ||
Acquisitions | 213,798 | |||||
Effect of exchange rate changes | 1,753 | — | ||||
Ending balance | $ | 226,421 | $ | 10,870 | ||
The Company recognized goodwill of $213,798 during fiscal 2025 related to the acquisition of Space NK (see Note 3, “Acquisitions”).
Historical Timeline
| Fiscal Year | Filed | |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Mar 26, 2026 | Showing above |
| 2023 | Mar 24, 2023 | |
| 2022 | Mar 25, 2022 | |
| 2021 | Mar 26, 2021 | |
| 2020 | Mar 27, 2020 | |
| 2019 | Apr 2, 2019 | |
About Goodwill & Intangibles Disclosures
Goodwill and intangible asset disclosures reveal the premium paid in acquisitions and how management assesses whether that premium retains its value. Since goodwill is no longer amortized under US GAAP, the annual impairment test is the only mechanism that adjusts carrying values downward — making the assumptions behind that test critically important for investors.
Key signals: a history of goodwill impairments suggests management consistently overpays for acquisitions. Watch the gap between reporting unit fair value and carrying amount — when fair value exceeds carrying amount by less than 10-20%, a small decline in business performance could trigger a write-down. For finite-lived intangibles, examine useful life assumptions across customer relationships, technology, and trade names; aggressive estimates inflate near-term earnings. Compare total intangibles-to-total-assets ratios against peers to assess acquisition dependency. Rising goodwill as a percentage of equity can signal balance sheet fragility.