BURL vs. ULTA: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 19, 2025

Here’s a clear look at BURL and ULTA, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

Symbol	BURL	ULTA
Company Name	Burlington Stores, Inc.	Ulta Beauty, Inc.
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Consumer Discretionary	Consumer Discretionary
GICS Industry	Specialty Retail	Specialty Retail
Market Capitalization	18.13 billion USD	23.94 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NasdaqGS
Listing Date	October 2, 2013	October 25, 2007
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of BURL and ULTA by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.

BURL vs. ULTA: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	BURL	ULTA
5-Day Price Return	3.31%	5.24%
13-Week Price Return	10.71%	29.18%
26-Week Price Return	6.64%	32.65%
52-Week Price Return	11.46%	66.19%
Month-to-Date Return	5.26%	3.44%
Year-to-Date Return	0.80%	22.48%
10-Day Avg. Volume	0.89M	0.60M
3-Month Avg. Volume	1.15M	0.78M
3-Month Volatility	38.74%	31.81%
Beta	1.79	1.06

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

BURL

42.59%

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 61.19%
Q3: 37.24%
Median: 18.81%
Q1: 8.92%
Min: -13.03%

In the upper quartile for the Specialty Retail industry, BURL’s Return on Equity of 42.59% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

ULTA

49.73%

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 61.19%
Q3: 37.24%
Median: 18.81%
Q1: 8.92%
Min: -13.03%

In the upper quartile for the Specialty Retail industry, ULTA’s Return on Equity of 49.73% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

BURL vs. ULTA: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against the Specialty Retail industry benchmark.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

BURL

4.88%

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 21.28%
Q3: 10.68%
Median: 6.08%
Q1: 2.43%
Min: -4.54%

BURL’s Net Profit Margin of 4.88% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Specialty Retail industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

ULTA

10.70%

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 21.28%
Q3: 10.68%
Median: 6.08%
Q1: 2.43%
Min: -4.54%

A Net Profit Margin of 10.70% places ULTA in the upper quartile for the Specialty Retail industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

BURL vs. ULTA: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against the Specialty Retail industry benchmark.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

BURL

6.67%

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 33.35%
Q3: 15.84%
Median: 9.34%
Q1: 3.83%
Min: -8.97%

BURL’s Operating Profit Margin of 6.67% is around the midpoint for the Specialty Retail industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

ULTA

14.03%

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 33.35%
Q3: 15.84%
Median: 9.34%
Q1: 3.83%
Min: -8.97%

ULTA’s Operating Profit Margin of 14.03% is around the midpoint for the Specialty Retail industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

BURL vs. ULTA: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against the Specialty Retail industry benchmark.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	BURL	ULTA
Return on Equity (TTM)	42.59%	49.73%
Return on Assets (TTM)	6.26%	20.15%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	4.88%	10.70%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	6.67%	14.03%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	43.40%	38.55%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

BURL

1.06

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 2.83
Q3: 1.89
Median: 1.39
Q1: 1.11
Min: 0.64

BURL’s Current Ratio of 1.06 falls into the lower quartile for the Specialty Retail industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.

ULTA

1.67

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 2.83
Q3: 1.89
Median: 1.39
Q1: 1.11
Min: 0.64

ULTA’s Current Ratio of 1.67 aligns with the median group of the Specialty Retail industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

BURL vs. ULTA: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against the Specialty Retail industry benchmark.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

BURL

1.22

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 3.02
Q3: 1.57
Median: 0.64
Q1: 0.20
Min: 0.00

BURL’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.22 is typical for the Specialty Retail industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

ULTA

0.00

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 3.02
Q3: 1.57
Median: 0.64
Q1: 0.20
Min: 0.00

Falling into the lower quartile for the Specialty Retail industry, ULTA’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.00 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.

BURL vs. ULTA: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against the Specialty Retail industry benchmark.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

BURL

10.71

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 48.12
Q3: 35.95
Median: 14.13
Q1: 3.61
Min: -36.00

BURL’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 10.71 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Specialty Retail industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

ULTA

649.00

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 48.12
Q3: 35.95
Median: 14.13
Q1: 3.61
Min: -36.00

With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 649.00, ULTA demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Specialty Retail industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.

BURL vs. ULTA: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against the Specialty Retail industry benchmark.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	BURL	ULTA
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.06	1.67
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.26	0.39
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	1.22	0.00
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	10.71	649.00

Growth

Revenue Growth

BURL vs. ULTA: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

BURL vs. ULTA: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

BURL

0.00%

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 6.53%
Q3: 2.69%
Median: 1.08%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

BURL currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.

ULTA

0.00%

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 6.53%
Q3: 2.69%
Median: 1.08%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

ULTA currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.

BURL vs. ULTA: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against the Specialty Retail industry benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

BURL

0.00%

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 165.81%
Q3: 80.94%
Median: 31.61%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

BURL has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.

ULTA

0.00%

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 165.81%
Q3: 80.94%
Median: 31.61%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

ULTA has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.

BURL vs. ULTA: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against the Specialty Retail industry benchmark.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	BURL	ULTA
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.00%	0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	0.00%	0.00%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

BURL

33.40

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 48.56
Q3: 29.15
Median: 22.00
Q1: 15.46
Min: 7.95

A P/E Ratio of 33.40 places BURL in the upper quartile for the Specialty Retail industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

ULTA

19.92

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 48.56
Q3: 29.15
Median: 22.00
Q1: 15.46
Min: 7.95

ULTA’s P/E Ratio of 19.92 is within the middle range for the Specialty Retail industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

BURL vs. ULTA: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against the Specialty Retail industry benchmark.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

BURL

1.63

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 5.08
Q3: 2.69
Median: 1.23
Q1: 0.48
Min: 0.09

BURL’s P/S Ratio of 1.63 aligns with the market consensus for the Specialty Retail industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

ULTA

2.67

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 5.08
Q3: 2.69
Median: 1.23
Q1: 0.48
Min: 0.09

ULTA’s P/S Ratio of 2.67 aligns with the market consensus for the Specialty Retail industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

BURL vs. ULTA: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against the Specialty Retail industry benchmark.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

BURL

11.04

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 16.93
Q3: 7.98
Median: 3.69
Q1: 1.79
Min: 0.21

BURL’s P/B Ratio of 11.04 is in the upper tier for the Specialty Retail industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.

ULTA

7.32

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 16.93
Q3: 7.98
Median: 3.69
Q1: 1.79
Min: 0.21

ULTA’s P/B Ratio of 7.32 is within the conventional range for the Specialty Retail industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.

BURL vs. ULTA: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against the Specialty Retail industry benchmark.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	BURL	ULTA
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	33.40	19.92
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	1.63	2.67
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	11.04	7.32
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	92.53	19.68