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Added to YB: 2026-02-25

Pitch date: 2026-02-23

EL [neutral]

The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.

+1.45%

current return

Author Info

No bio for this author

Company Info

The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. manufactures, markets, and sells skin care, makeup, fragrance, and hair care products worldwide.

Market Cap

$40.9B

Pitch Price

$113.64

Price Target

185.00 (+64%)

Dividend

1.24%

EV/EBITDA

15.68

P/E

-224.29

EV/Sales

3.22

Sector

Personal Care Products

Category

turnaround

Show full summary:
Estée Lauder Under Pressure

EL (update): Sales -8% in FY25, driven by China weakness & travel retail collapse. Skincare (50% of sales, highest margin) -12%. Swung from $970M operating profit to $785M loss on $1.2B impairment (TOM FORD overpay) + $481M restructuring. $7.3B debt w/ $375M annual interest vs declining earnings is concerning. Generated $670M FCF but inventory issues suggest more promotions ahead. Bull case: cyclical not structural, margins can recover to $3.7B EBITDA by 2035 = $180-185 fair value (11% IRR). Bear case: structural China/retail weakness + margin compression.

Read full article (8 min)