ELF Stock In Focus: Analysts Turn Cautious Ahead Of Earnings, But Retail Optimism Surges

• Despite the reduction, the price target still suggests about 13% upside from Tuesday’s close. 
• Piper Sandley noted that easier year-on-year comparisons in the second quarter could help stabilize performance. 
• On Monday, Canaccord also lowered its price target on ELF to $100 from $121.

e.l.f. Beauty Inc. (ELF) stock is drawing attention as Piper Sandler trimmed its price target on the cosmetics company ahead of its 2026 fiscal fourth-quarter (Q4) earnings on Wednesday. 

ELF’s Shipment Trends And Pricing Under Spotlight

Analysts at Piper Sandler reduced their price target on the stock to $60 from $85 while maintaining a Neutral rating, signaling caution about the company’s near-term outlook.

Still, the new price target implies a 13% upside from the stock’s Tuesday closing price. The firm said investors will closely watch the company’s sales results and its fiscal 2027 outlook, as concerns about future growth continue to affect market sentiment.

According to Piper analysts, the beauty brand is entering a period in which comparisons may become more favorable, following earlier mismatches between product demand and shipment volumes that affected results. 

The firm believes the second quarter could present an opening for stabilization as those prior discrepancies cycle out of year-on-year comparisons.

Piper Sandler also highlighted growing attention around Rhode, the skincare brand founded by Hailey Bieber, as it prepares for its Sephora rollout, expected in early September.

e.l.f. Beauty stock edged 0.4% higher in Wednesday’s premarket. 

Canaccord Warns Of Slow Growth For ELF 

On Monday, Canaccord also lowered its price target on ELF to $100 from $121 while maintaining a Buy recommendation. The firm said that intensifying competition in the cosmetics market has started creating additional challenges for brands attempting to maintain rapid sales expansion. 

Canaccord further warned that e.l.f. Beauty could encounter more demanding year-over-year comparisons as previous periods of exceptional growth become harder to match.

What To Expect From ELF Earnings?

Analysts expect the company to report Q4 revenue of $66.98 million and earnings per share of $0.05, according to Fiscal AI data. The company expects 2026 revenue of 41.6 billion and $1.612 billion, compared to the Street estimate of $1.61 billion. 

ELF Retail Traders View 

On Stocktwits, retail sentiment around the stock remained in ‘bullish’ territory with message volume surging 275% in 24 hours.

 A user said, “This isn’t some tech company that could be obsolete tomorrow. It’s a growing and profitable business that’s stealing market share every quarter and isn’t going away.”

Another user said, “Cheers fellas we are either gonna be up +15% or down -15% tomorrow AH. I’m either gonna be very happy with the profits, or very happy buying more at even more of a steal then it already is. GLTA!!”

ELF stock has declined by 30% year-to-date. 

Also See: GameStop Steps Up EBAY Exposure To 6.5% As Ryan Cohen Pushes $56B Takeover Vision

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