Estee Lauder's Self-Help Actions Are Fully Reflected In Valuation

Seeking Profits 5.67K Followers Follow Summary Estee Lauder posted strong Q4 results, with organic sales up 5% and EPS beating estimates, driving a 16% stock rally. EL's Profit Recovery and Growth Plan targets $1.2 billion in cost savings by 2028, with significant headcount reductions and supply chain rationalization underway. Despite improving momentum, EL trades at ~25x 2028 EPS, which I view as excessive for a mid-single-digit growth profile. I maintain a "Sell" rating, seeing fair value near $80, as capital returns beyond the modest dividend remain over a year away. Robert Way/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Shares of Estee Lauder ( EL ) have been a moderate performer over the past year, gaining about 9%, though shares remain below their pre-war highs. Encouraging Q4 results and guidance sent the stock rocketing 16% on Wednesday on the hope the company This article was written by Seeking Profits 5.67K Followers Follow Over fifteen years of experience making contrarian bets based on my macro view and stock-specific turnaround stories to garner outsized returns with a favorable risk/reward profile. If you want me to cover a specific stock or have a question for an article, just let me know! Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.