J vs. ULS: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at J and ULS, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | J | ULS |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Jacobs Solutions Inc. | UL Solutions Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Professional Services | Professional Services |
| Market Capitalization | 17.75 billion USD | 13.44 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | March 17, 1980 | April 12, 2024 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of J and ULS 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 | J | ULS |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 1.16% | 0.09% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 17.56% | -8.09% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 13.85% | 16.65% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 20.75% | 24.93% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 4.67% | -8.51% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 11.13% | 34.12% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 0.58M | 1.15M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 0.74M | 0.90M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 19.53% | 34.31% |
| Beta | 0.82 | 0.54 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
J
4.22%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 52.17%
- Q3
- 30.06%
- Median
- 22.21%
- Q1
- 11.67%
- Min
- -13.44%
J’s Return on Equity of 4.22% is in the lower quartile for the Professional Services industry. This indicates a less efficient generation of profit from its equity base when compared to its competitors.
ULS
34.07%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 52.17%
- Q3
- 30.06%
- Median
- 22.21%
- Q1
- 11.67%
- Min
- -13.44%
In the upper quartile for the Professional Services industry, ULS’s Return on Equity of 34.07% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
J
1.88%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 26.06%
- Q3
- 13.34%
- Median
- 7.88%
- Q1
- 3.50%
- Min
- -2.93%
Falling into the lower quartile for the Professional Services industry, J’s Net Profit Margin of 1.88% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.
ULS
11.08%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 26.06%
- Q3
- 13.34%
- Median
- 7.88%
- Q1
- 3.50%
- Min
- -2.93%
ULS’s Net Profit Margin of 11.08% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Professional Services industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
J
7.12%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 35.84%
- Q3
- 19.38%
- Median
- 12.54%
- Q1
- 7.36%
- Min
- -5.21%
J’s Operating Profit Margin of 7.12% is in the lower quartile for the Professional Services industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.
ULS
16.71%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 35.84%
- Q3
- 19.38%
- Median
- 12.54%
- Q1
- 7.36%
- Min
- -5.21%
ULS’s Operating Profit Margin of 16.71% is around the midpoint for the Professional Services industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | J | ULS |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 4.22% | 34.07% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 1.46% | 11.40% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 1.88% | 11.08% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 7.12% | 16.71% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 24.99% | 48.53% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
J
1.39
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 2.45
- Q3
- 1.65
- Median
- 1.26
- Q1
- 1.10
- Min
- 0.47
J’s Current Ratio of 1.39 aligns with the median group of the Professional Services industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
ULS
1.32
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 2.45
- Q3
- 1.65
- Median
- 1.26
- Q1
- 1.10
- Min
- 0.47
ULS’s Current Ratio of 1.32 aligns with the median group of the Professional Services industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
J
0.66
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 2.63
- Q3
- 1.44
- Median
- 0.91
- Q1
- 0.49
- Min
- 0.00
J’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.66 is typical for the Professional Services industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
ULS
0.56
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 2.63
- Q3
- 1.44
- Median
- 0.91
- Q1
- 0.49
- Min
- 0.00
ULS’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.56 is typical for the Professional Services industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
J
6.77
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 39.67
- Q3
- 20.05
- Median
- 11.07
- Q1
- 5.36
- Min
- -2.22
J’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 6.77 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Professional Services industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
ULS
11.92
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 39.67
- Q3
- 20.05
- Median
- 11.07
- Q1
- 5.36
- Min
- -2.22
ULS’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 11.92 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Professional Services industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | J | ULS |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.39 | 1.32 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.36 | 1.32 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.66 | 0.56 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 6.77 | 11.92 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
J
0.86%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 5.28%
- Q3
- 2.51%
- Median
- 1.63%
- Q1
- 0.62%
- Min
- 0.00%
J’s Dividend Yield of 0.86% is consistent with its peers in the Professional Services industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
ULS
0.76%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 5.28%
- Q3
- 2.51%
- Median
- 1.63%
- Q1
- 0.62%
- Min
- 0.00%
ULS’s Dividend Yield of 0.76% is consistent with its peers in the Professional Services industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
J
42.29%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 109.23%
- Q3
- 64.39%
- Median
- 47.00%
- Q1
- 20.35%
- Min
- 0.00%
J’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 42.29% is within the typical range for the Professional Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
ULS
31.19%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 109.23%
- Q3
- 64.39%
- Median
- 47.00%
- Q1
- 20.35%
- Min
- 0.00%
ULS’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 31.19% is within the typical range for the Professional Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | J | ULS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.86% | 0.76% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 42.29% | 31.19% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
J
104.84
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 49.59
- Q3
- 36.59
- Median
- 28.13
- Q1
- 18.55
- Min
- 10.07
At 104.84, J’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Professional Services industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
ULS
41.10
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 49.59
- Q3
- 36.59
- Median
- 28.13
- Q1
- 18.55
- Min
- 10.07
A P/E Ratio of 41.10 places ULS in the upper quartile for the Professional Services industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
J
1.97
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 9.54
- Q3
- 5.11
- Median
- 2.10
- Q1
- 0.75
- Min
- 0.11
J’s P/S Ratio of 1.97 aligns with the market consensus for the Professional Services industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
ULS
4.55
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 9.54
- Q3
- 5.11
- Median
- 2.10
- Q1
- 0.75
- Min
- 0.11
ULS’s P/S Ratio of 4.55 aligns with the market consensus for the Professional Services industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
J
4.09
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 13.75
- Q3
- 8.87
- Median
- 4.35
- Q1
- 2.43
- Min
- 0.54
J’s P/B Ratio of 4.09 is within the conventional range for the Professional Services 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.
ULS
13.37
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 13.75
- Q3
- 8.87
- Median
- 4.35
- Q1
- 2.43
- Min
- 0.54
ULS’s P/B Ratio of 13.37 is in the upper tier for the Professional Services 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 | J | ULS |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 104.84 | 41.10 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.97 | 4.55 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 4.09 | 13.37 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 33.31 | 36.92 |