HLT vs. ULTA: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at HLT and ULTA, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | HLT | ULTA |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. | Ulta Beauty, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| GICS Industry | Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure | Specialty Retail |
| Market Capitalization | 64.17 billion USD | 23.94 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | December 12, 2013 | October 25, 2007 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of HLT 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.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | HLT | ULTA |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 4.57% | 5.24% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 8.09% | 29.18% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 0.91% | 32.65% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 32.72% | 66.19% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 1.78% | 3.44% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 10.39% | 22.48% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.59M | 0.60M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 2.16M | 0.78M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 21.93% | 31.81% |
| Beta | 1.22 | 1.06 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
HLT
171.01%
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure Industry
- Max
- 83.01%
- Q3
- 39.51%
- Median
- 17.38%
- Q1
- 5.32%
- Min
- -45.92%
HLT’s Return on Equity of 171.01% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
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.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
HLT
13.84%
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure Industry
- Max
- 26.45%
- Q3
- 14.67%
- Median
- 8.69%
- Q1
- 3.34%
- Min
- -11.30%
HLT’s Net Profit Margin of 13.84% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure 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.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
HLT
21.13%
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure Industry
- Max
- 38.76%
- Q3
- 21.15%
- Median
- 14.20%
- Q1
- 6.43%
- Min
- -14.56%
HLT’s Operating Profit Margin of 21.13% is around the midpoint for the Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure 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.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | HLT | ULTA |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 171.01% | 49.73% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 9.75% | 20.15% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 13.84% | 10.70% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 21.13% | 14.03% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 36.73% | 38.55% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
HLT
0.54
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure Industry
- Max
- 2.68
- Q3
- 1.62
- Median
- 1.11
- Q1
- 0.74
- Min
- 0.19
HLT’s Current Ratio of 0.54 falls into the lower quartile for the Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure 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.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
HLT
73.65
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure Industry
- Max
- 9.88
- Q3
- 4.54
- Median
- 1.52
- Q1
- 0.27
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 73.65, HLT operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
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.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
HLT
4.07
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure Industry
- Max
- 26.88
- Q3
- 11.95
- Median
- 3.87
- Q1
- 1.19
- Min
- -11.84
HLT’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 4.07 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure 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.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | HLT | ULTA |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.54 | 1.67 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.49 | 0.39 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 73.65 | 0.00 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 4.07 | 649.00 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
HLT
0.23%
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure Industry
- Max
- 5.88%
- Q3
- 2.37%
- Median
- 0.68%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
HLT’s Dividend Yield of 0.23% is consistent with its peers in the Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
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.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
HLT
9.25%
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure Industry
- Max
- 127.31%
- Q3
- 56.79%
- Median
- 19.58%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
HLT’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 9.25% is within the typical range for the Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
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.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | HLT | ULTA |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.23% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 9.25% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
HLT
40.18
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure Industry
- Max
- 59.44
- Q3
- 33.98
- Median
- 22.25
- Q1
- 15.53
- Min
- 7.61
A P/E Ratio of 40.18 places HLT in the upper quartile for the Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure 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.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
HLT
5.56
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure Industry
- Max
- 7.74
- Q3
- 3.88
- Median
- 2.05
- Q1
- 1.19
- Min
- 0.17
HLT’s P/S Ratio of 5.56 is in the upper echelon for the Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure 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.
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.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
HLT
245.97
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure Industry
- Max
- 20.90
- Q3
- 9.78
- Median
- 4.29
- Q1
- 2.22
- Min
- 0.47
At 245.97, HLT’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | HLT | ULTA |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 40.18 | 19.92 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 5.56 | 2.67 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 245.97 | 7.32 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 29.74 | 19.68 |