The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE: EL) is a global leader in the beauty industry, specializing in skincare, makeup, and fragrance products. The company operates worldwide and competes with other major international beauty conglomerates. Its portfolio includes well-known brands that are sold in numerous countries through various retail and online channels.
On August 19, 2026, the analyst firm Goldman Sachs increased its price target for Estée Lauder to $112.00 from $100.00. The firm also affirmed its "Buy" rating for the stock. At the time of this update, the company's shares were trading at a price of $98.01, reflecting a daily gain of 16.30%.
This positive analyst rating follows strong company performance. Estée Lauder reported a 6% year-over-year rise in net sales, reaching $3.60 billion in its fourth quarter. This growth was widespread, with gains in key regions like China, Japan, and the U.S., and supported by an expanding presence on social media platforms.
The company's profitability also shows significant improvement. Adjusted earnings per share (EPS), a key measure of profit, doubled to $0.39 from the previous year. Furthermore, adjusted operating income, which shows profit from core business activities, saw a substantial 95% increase to $267.00 million, beating analyst expectations.
Management's turnaround strategy is proving effective. As highlighted by Bloomberg Markets and Finance, the CEO notes the company has "great momentum." This is supported by a 3.2 percentage point increase in the adjusted operating margin for fiscal 2026. The company also raised its profit margin outlook for fiscal 2027.
