The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.
- Open
- 81.01
- Day high
- 82.65
- Day low
- 81.01
- Prev close
- 80.29
- Volume
- 723K
- Mkt cap
- $29.9B
- P/E (TTM)
- —
- EPS (TTM)
- —
- P/B
- 7.5
- P/S
- 2.0
- Yield
- 1.69%
- Per share
- $1.40
The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (EL) is a Consumer Defensive company listed on NYSE. The stock is down 11% over the past year. Drillr has 1 published research article covering EL.
The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (EL) financials & analyst ratings
Fundamentals (TTM)
Analyst consensus · 11 analysts
Source: exchange market data + company filings. Figures are trailing-twelve-month or as most recently reported. For informational purposes only — not investment advice.
EL earnings date, history & EPS estimates
| Report date | EPS est | EPS actual | Surprise | Revenue | Rev. surprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 1, 2026 | $0.66 | $0.91 | +37.9% | $3.7B | +0.6% |
| Feb 5, 2026 | $0.83 | $0.89 | +6.6% | $4.2B | +0.3% |
| Oct 30, 2025 | $0.18 | $0.32 | +82.1% | $3.5B | +2.9% |
| Aug 20, 2025 | $0.09 | $0.09 | +4.3% | $3.4B | +0.4% |
| May 1, 2025 | $0.31 | $0.65 | +107.9% | $3.5B | +1.0% |
| Feb 4, 2025 | $0.31 | $0.62 | +100.0% | $4.0B | +0.7% |
| Oct 31, 2024 | $0.09 | $0.14 | +57.9% | $3.4B | -0.3% |
| Aug 19, 2024 | $0.27 | $0.64 | +135.2% | $3.9B | +1.7% |
| May 1, 2024 | $0.49 | $0.97 | +98.0% | $3.9B | +0.6% |
| Nov 1, 2023 | $-0.20 | $0.11 | +155.0% | $3.5B | -0.5% |
| Aug 18, 2023 | $0.02 | $0.07 | +300.0% | $3.6B | +3.9% |
| May 3, 2023 | $0.51 | $0.47 | -7.8% | $3.8B | +6.2% |
EL insider trading activity (SEC Form 4)
| Date | Insider | Type | Shares | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 22, 2026 | STERNLICHT BARRY Sdirector | Grant | 328 | — |
| Jul 22, 2026 | Zinterhofer Eric Louisdirector | Grant | 328 | — |
| Jul 22, 2026 | FRIBOURG PAUL Jdirector | Grant | 410 | — |
| Jun 16, 2026 | Lauder William Pdirector, 10 percent owner: | Grant | 3 | — |
| Jun 16, 2026 | STERNLICHT BARRY Sdirector | Grant | 184 | — |
| Jun 16, 2026 | FRIBOURG PAUL Jdirector | Grant | 56 | — |
| Jun 16, 2026 | LAUDER JANEdirector, 10 percent owner: | Grant | 3 | — |
| Jun 16, 2026 | Zinterhofer Eric Louisdirector | Grant | 8 | — |
| Jun 16, 2026 | STERNLICHT BARRY Sdirector | Grant | 72 | — |
| Jun 16, 2026 | Nunez Arturodirector | Grant | 17 | — |
| Jun 16, 2026 | Long Annabelle Yudirector | Grant | 3 | — |
| Jun 16, 2026 | Hyman Jenniferdirector | Grant | 17 | — |
| Jun 16, 2026 | Strong Danadirector | Grant | 3 | — |
| Jun 16, 2026 | ZANNINO RICHARD Fdirector | Grant | 41 | — |
| Jun 16, 2026 | Tejada Jenniferdirector | Grant | 17 | — |
Source: EL SEC Form 4 filings, latest Jul 22, 2026. For informational purposes only — not investment advice.
See the full EL insider & 13F page →The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. company profile
Overview
The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE:EL) is a multinational manufacturer and marketer of prestige beauty products founded in 1946 by Estée Lauder and her husband Joseph Lauder. What began as a small business selling skincare products has evolved into one of the world's leading prestige beauty companies. The company went public in 1995 and is headquartered in New York. Today, Estée Lauder operates a portfolio of over 25 brands across skincare, makeup, fragrance, and hair care categories, selling products in approximately 150 countries and territories worldwide through various retail channels including department stores, specialty retailers, online platforms, and duty-free shops.
Business
Estée Lauder operates in the prestige beauty industry, which represents the higher-end segment of the global cosmetics and personal care market. Unlike mass-market beauty products sold in drugstores, prestige beauty products are typically sold through department stores, specialty beauty retailers, and upscale channels, commanding premium prices due to their perceived quality, brand heritage, and luxury positioning. The company's business is organized around four main product categories: 1. Skin Care (historically the largest segment, representing approximately 50-55% of revenues): This includes moisturizers, serums, cleansers, toners, facial masks, sun care products, and anti-aging treatments. Key brands include Estée Lauder, Clinique, La Mer, Origins, The Ordinary, and Dr. Jart+. Skincare products are typically the highest-margin category due to their consumable nature and the premium consumers pay for perceived efficacy. 2. Makeup (approximately 25-30% of revenues): Encompasses foundations, lipsticks, mascaras, eyeshadows, nail polishes, and related beauty tools. Major brands include M·A·C, Bobbi Brown, Too Faced, Smashbox, and the Estée Lauder brand itself. This category tends to be more trend-driven and seasonal. 3. Fragrance (approximately 15-20% of revenues): Includes eau de parfum, colognes, and related scented products like lotions and candles. The portfolio features luxury brands such as Jo Malone London, Tom Ford, Le Labo, By Kilian, and licensed fragrances for fashion brands like Tommy Hilfiger and Michael Kors. 4. Hair Care (smallest segment, approximately 5-8% of revenues): Professional and consumer hair products including shampoos, conditioners, and styling products, primarily through the Aveda and Bumble and bumble brands. The company also operates through different geographic regions, with significant exposure to Asia-Pacific markets (particularly China), Europe/Middle East/Africa (EMEA), and the Americas. Additionally, travel retail represents a substantial portion of sales (approximately 19% as of recent reports), selling products in airports, duty-free shops, and cruise ships to international travelers.
Revenue model
Estée Lauder generates revenue primarily through product sales to retailers and consumers across multiple channels. The company operates a hybrid business model combining wholesale distribution to third-party retailers with direct-to-consumer sales through its own retail stores and e-commerce platforms. The company's revenue streams include: 1. Wholesale sales to department stores (Macy's, Nordstrom, Saks), specialty beauty retailers (Sephora, Ulta), and international distributors, 2. Direct retail sales through company-owned stores and brand boutiques, 3. E-commerce sales through brand websites and third-party platforms like Amazon, representing approximately 28% of total sales, 4. Travel retail sales in airports and duty-free locations, and 5. Licensing revenue from fashion brands like Tommy Hilfiger and Michael Kors for fragrance products. The company's profitability is influenced by several key factors. Positive margin drivers include the premium pricing power of luxury beauty brands, the consumable nature of beauty products leading to repeat purchases, economies of scale in manufacturing and marketing, and the ability to expand into higher-growth emerging markets. The company benefits from relatively low manufacturing costs compared to selling prices, with gross margins typically in the 70-80% range. Margin pressures come from intense competition in the prestige beauty space, the need for continuous innovation and product launches, high marketing and advertising expenses (often 25-30% of sales), currency fluctuations affecting international operations, and supply chain disruptions. The company is also sensitive to economic downturns as luxury beauty products are somewhat discretionary, though they tend to be more resilient than other luxury categories. Additionally, the shift toward online sales, while growth-driving, typically carries lower margins than traditional retail due to fulfillment costs and promotional pricing. Recent challenges have included inventory destocking in key markets like China and travel retail, requiring the company to implement cost reduction programs while maintaining investment in brand building and innovation.
Competitive moat
Estée Lauder's competitive moat is moderately strong but faces increasing challenges in the evolving beauty landscape. The company's primary moat stems from its brand portfolio and heritage, with several brands like Estée Lauder, Clinique, and La Mer having decades of consumer recognition and loyalty. These brands command premium pricing and have established relationships with prestige retailers worldwide. The company benefits from scale advantages in research and development, manufacturing, and marketing that smaller competitors cannot easily replicate. Its global distribution network, particularly in international markets and travel retail, creates barriers for new entrants. Additionally, the company's relationships with key retailers like Sephora and department stores provide advantageous shelf space and positioning. However, the moat is under pressure from several directions. The beauty industry has become increasingly democratized with direct-to-consumer brands bypassing traditional retail channels and social media enabling smaller brands to build awareness rapidly. Companies like Glossier, Fenty Beauty, and Rare Beauty have gained significant market share by leveraging influencer marketing and digital-native strategies. Private label competition from retailers like Sephora Collection poses a threat, as does the rise of K-beauty and indie brands that often offer innovative formulations at lower price points. The shift toward clean beauty and sustainability has also created opportunities for newer brands to differentiate themselves from established players. The company's acquisition strategy, including purchases of The Ordinary and other emerging brands, demonstrates recognition of these competitive threats. While Estée Lauder maintains strong positions in key categories and markets, its moat is more vulnerable than historically, requiring continuous innovation and adaptation to maintain market leadership.
Risks & safety
The company's margin of safety appears moderate but deteriorating, with several financial stress indicators emerging. **Liquidity and Solvency:** - Cash position of $2.6 billion provides reasonable liquidity buffer - Current ratio of 1.41 indicates adequate short-term liquidity but below historical norms - Debt-to-equity ratio of 2.16 is elevated, indicating high leverage - Free cash flow turned negative in recent quarters (-$811M in Q1 2025) before recovering **Profitability Concerns:** - Operating margins compressed significantly, falling to 11.4% in Q3 2025 - Net losses in multiple recent quarters (-$590M in Q2 2025, -$156M in Q1 2025) - EBITDA margins under pressure due to restructuring costs and market headwinds **Valuation Metrics:** - Trading at 37.4x P/E ratio based on recent earnings, indicating expensive valuation - Price-to-book ratio of 5.47 suggests premium valuation relative to book value - EV/EBITDA of 24.9x appears elevated for current growth trajectory **Other Considerations:** - Dividend was reduced to preserve cash for restructuring initiatives - Company implementing $800M-$1B cost reduction program involving 5,800-7,000 job cuts - Exposure to China market and travel retail creates cyclical revenue volatility - High fixed costs from brand investments limit operational flexibility during downturns
Recent development
Over the past few years, Estée Lauder has undergone significant strategic transformation in response to changing market dynamics and performance challenges. The company launched its "Beauty Reimagined" strategic vision, focusing on five key priorities: accelerating consumer coverage across new channels, creating transformative innovation, boosting consumer-facing investments, fueling sustainable growth through efficiencies, and reimagining ways of working. A major development has been the implementation of the Profit Recovery and Growth Plan (PRGP), involving a comprehensive restructuring that includes reducing 5,800-7,000 positions globally and generating $800 million to $1 billion in annual cost savings. This represents a fundamental shift toward a leaner, more agile organizational structure with reduced middle management layers and clearer accountability. The company has significantly expanded its digital and e-commerce capabilities, launching brands on platforms like Amazon Premium Beauty and TikTok Shop, while integrating artificial intelligence across operations. Leadership has emphasized tripling innovation launch speed and developing more consumer-centric approaches to product development and marketing. Portfolio optimization has been another key focus, with the company conducting thorough annual reviews to accelerate successful brands while discontinuing underperforming ones. Recent acquisitions like The Ordinary and DECIEM have been integrated to capture growth in emerging beauty segments, particularly in the affordable luxury and clean beauty spaces. A significant leadership transition is underway, with longtime CEO Fabrizio Freda and CFO Tracey Travis retiring, replaced by Stephane de La Faverie and Akhil Shrivastava respectively. The company has also reduced its dividend to preserve cash for strategic investments and restructuring activities, marking a departure from its historically consistent dividend policy.
EL company profile · for informational purposes only — not investment advice.
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