ELF vs. UL: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ELF and UL, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
ELF is a standard domestic listing, while UL trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors access to its foreign-listed shares.
| Symbol | ELF | UL |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | e.l.f. Beauty, Inc. | Unilever PLC |
| Country | United States | United Kingdom |
| GICS Sector | Consumer Staples | Consumer Staples |
| GICS Industry | Personal Care Products | Personal Care Products |
| Market Capitalization | 6.83 billion USD | 155.84 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | September 22, 2016 | March 25, 1980 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | ADR |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ELF and UL 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.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | ELF | UL |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.70% | 3.92% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 51.36% | -0.93% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 60.69% | 6.66% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -24.77% | -2.07% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -0.62% | 6.44% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -4.07% | 3.17% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 3.18M | 2.02M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 2.44M | 2.43M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 71.65% | 15.01% |
| Beta | 1.60 | 0.11 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
ELF
15.15%
Personal Care Products Industry
- Max
- 31.59%
- Q3
- 20.42%
- Median
- 11.01%
- Q1
- 3.26%
- Min
- -18.42%
ELF’s Return on Equity of 15.15% is on par with the norm for the Personal Care Products industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
UL
29.40%
Personal Care Products Industry
- Max
- 31.59%
- Q3
- 20.42%
- Median
- 11.01%
- Q1
- 3.26%
- Min
- -18.42%
In the upper quartile for the Personal Care Products industry, UL’s Return on Equity of 29.40% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
ELF
8.53%
Personal Care Products Industry
- Max
- 15.12%
- Q3
- 12.06%
- Median
- 9.26%
- Q1
- 5.50%
- Min
- -0.40%
ELF’s Net Profit Margin of 8.53% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Personal Care Products industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
UL
9.29%
Personal Care Products Industry
- Max
- 15.12%
- Q3
- 12.06%
- Median
- 9.26%
- Q1
- 5.50%
- Min
- -0.40%
UL’s Net Profit Margin of 9.29% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Personal Care Products industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
ELF
12.03%
Personal Care Products Industry
- Max
- 19.80%
- Q3
- 17.96%
- Median
- 13.14%
- Q1
- 7.58%
- Min
- -4.25%
ELF’s Operating Profit Margin of 12.03% is around the midpoint for the Personal Care Products industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
UL
14.58%
Personal Care Products Industry
- Max
- 19.80%
- Q3
- 17.96%
- Median
- 13.14%
- Q1
- 7.58%
- Min
- -4.25%
UL’s Operating Profit Margin of 14.58% is around the midpoint for the Personal Care Products industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | ELF | UL |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 15.15% | 29.40% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 9.05% | 7.13% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 8.53% | 9.29% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 12.03% | 14.58% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 71.24% | -- |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
ELF
3.05
Personal Care Products Industry
- Max
- 4.26
- Q3
- 2.61
- Median
- 1.74
- Q1
- 1.13
- Min
- 0.76
ELF’s Current Ratio of 3.05 is in the upper quartile for the Personal Care Products industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.
UL
0.76
Personal Care Products Industry
- Max
- 4.26
- Q3
- 2.61
- Median
- 1.74
- Q1
- 1.13
- Min
- 0.76
UL’s Current Ratio of 0.76 falls into the lower quartile for the Personal Care Products industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
ELF
0.34
Personal Care Products Industry
- Max
- 1.13
- Q3
- 0.63
- Median
- 0.26
- Q1
- 0.04
- Min
- 0.00
ELF’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.34 is typical for the Personal Care Products industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
UL
1.80
Personal Care Products Industry
- Max
- 1.13
- Q3
- 0.63
- Median
- 0.26
- Q1
- 0.04
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.80, UL operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Personal Care Products industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
ELF
11.53
Personal Care Products Industry
- Max
- 96.53
- Q3
- 59.91
- Median
- 22.25
- Q1
- 7.85
- Min
- -1.93
ELF’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 11.53 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Personal Care Products industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
UL
22.79
Personal Care Products Industry
- Max
- 96.53
- Q3
- 59.91
- Median
- 22.25
- Q1
- 7.85
- Min
- -1.93
UL’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 22.79 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Personal Care Products industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | ELF | UL |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 3.05 | 0.76 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.55 | 0.55 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.34 | 1.80 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 11.53 | 22.79 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
ELF
0.00%
Personal Care Products Industry
- Max
- 4.08%
- Q3
- 2.46%
- Median
- 1.82%
- Q1
- 0.83%
- Min
- 0.00%
ELF 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.
UL
3.42%
Personal Care Products Industry
- Max
- 4.08%
- Q3
- 2.46%
- Median
- 1.82%
- Q1
- 0.83%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 3.42%, UL offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Personal Care Products industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
ELF
0.00%
Personal Care Products Industry
- Max
- 207.61%
- Q3
- 115.17%
- Median
- 69.37%
- Q1
- 47.71%
- Min
- 0.00%
ELF 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.
UL
79.51%
Personal Care Products Industry
- Max
- 207.61%
- Q3
- 115.17%
- Median
- 69.37%
- Q1
- 47.71%
- Min
- 0.00%
UL’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 79.51% is within the typical range for the Personal Care Products industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | ELF | UL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 3.42% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 79.51% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
ELF
60.44
Personal Care Products Industry
- Max
- 55.49
- Q3
- 36.75
- Median
- 26.49
- Q1
- 22.40
- Min
- 11.12
At 60.44, ELF’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Personal Care Products industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
UL
23.23
Personal Care Products Industry
- Max
- 55.49
- Q3
- 36.75
- Median
- 26.49
- Q1
- 22.40
- Min
- 11.12
UL’s P/E Ratio of 23.23 is within the middle range for the Personal Care Products industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
ELF
5.16
Personal Care Products Industry
- Max
- 5.35
- Q3
- 2.83
- Median
- 2.07
- Q1
- 1.13
- Min
- 0.00
ELF’s P/S Ratio of 5.16 is in the upper echelon for the Personal Care Products industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
UL
2.16
Personal Care Products Industry
- Max
- 5.35
- Q3
- 2.83
- Median
- 2.07
- Q1
- 1.13
- Min
- 0.00
UL’s P/S Ratio of 2.16 aligns with the market consensus for the Personal Care Products industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
ELF
4.65
Personal Care Products Industry
- Max
- 7.32
- Q3
- 5.26
- Median
- 2.93
- Q1
- 1.84
- Min
- 1.14
ELF’s P/B Ratio of 4.65 is within the conventional range for the Personal Care Products 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.
UL
7.06
Personal Care Products Industry
- Max
- 7.32
- Q3
- 5.26
- Median
- 2.93
- Q1
- 1.84
- Min
- 1.14
UL’s P/B Ratio of 7.06 is in the upper tier for the Personal Care Products 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | ELF | UL |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 60.44 | 23.23 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 5.16 | 2.16 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 4.65 | 7.06 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 50.16 | 20.05 |