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PDD vs. ULTA: PDD vs. Ulta Beauty Stock Comparison

How do PDD (PDD) and Ulta Beauty (ULTA) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.

Company Profile

PDD (PDD) and Ulta Beauty (ULTA) both fall under the Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group, but PDD is classified in Broadline Retail while ULTA is classified in Specialty Retail.

Ulta Beauty (ULTA) trades as ordinary local shares, while PDD (PDD) trades as an ADR — compare with FX exposure, depositary-program fees, and dividend-withholding-tax differences in mind.

Company profile comparison for PDD (PDD) and Ulta Beauty (ULTA)
Profile ItemPDDULTA
NamePDD Holdings Inc. American Depositary ReceiptUlta Beauty, Inc.
Country/RegionIrelandUnited States
GICS SectorConsumer DiscretionaryConsumer Discretionary
GICS Industry GroupConsumer Discretionary Distribution & RetailConsumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail
GICS IndustryBroadline RetailSpecialty Retail
GICS Sub-IndustryBroadline RetailOther Specialty Retail
Market Capitalization118.18 billion USD27.57 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNasdaqNasdaq
Listing DateJuly 26, 2018October 25, 2007
Security TypeADRCommon Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

PDD
ULTA
GSPC
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PDD (PDD) vs. Ulta Beauty (ULTA), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years. Adjusted for dividends and splits.

Trailing Returns

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Trailing total returns for PDD (PDD) and Ulta Beauty (ULTA). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for PDD (PDD) and Ulta Beauty (ULTA). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for PDD (PDD) and Ulta Beauty (ULTA)
MetricPDDULTA
Total Return (1Y)-40.88%29.08%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)-9.51%19.79%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)-0.72%11.09%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

PDD
ULTA
GSPC
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PDD (PDD) vs. Ulta Beauty (ULTA), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Drawdown from the running peak over the past five years. Each line shows the decline from its prior peak; 0% marks a new high.

Return Distribution

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Distribution of monthly total returns for PDD (PDD) and Ulta Beauty (ULTA). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

PDD (PDD) reports a negative beta of -0.08, suggesting inverse market sensitivity over the measurement window. That is uncommon for ordinary equities and can reflect commodity-linked or hedge-like exposure, but it can also come from statistical noise. Ulta Beauty (ULTA) has a non-negative beta of 0.82.

Risk profile metrics for PDD (PDD) and Ulta Beauty (ULTA)
MetricPDDULTA
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)33.85%36.05%
Beta (5Y)-0.080.82
Max Drawdown (5Y)-73.13%-44.56%
Avg. Volume (3M)6.15M548.94K

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

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PDD and ULTA are plotted by 1-year volatility (risk) and 1-year return. The dashed Capital Allocation Line runs from the risk-free rate through the shared industry median.

Risk-Adjusted Metrics

Risk-adjusted metrics for PDD (PDD) and Ulta Beauty (ULTA)
MetricPDDULTA
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)-1.330.69
Sortino Ratio (1Y)-1.751.01

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Ulta Beauty (ULTA) at 46.12% sits in the top ROE quartile, while PDD (PDD) at 22.75% is closer to the peer norm — stronger capital efficiency for ULTA.

PDD

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

22.75%

Max
62.17%
Q3
29.44%
PDD
22.75%
Median
15.69%
Q1
6.73%
Min
-12.16%

ULTA

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

46.12%

Max
62.17%
ULTA
46.12%
Q3
29.44%
Median
15.69%
Q1
6.73%
Min
-12.16%
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PDD (PDD) vs. Ulta Beauty (ULTA): A comparison of their ROE against the Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

PDD (PDD) at 20.43% keeps the most of each sales dollar — above its industry’s net margin range — and Ulta Beauty (ULTA) at 9.34% also retains a top-quartile share.

PDD

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

20.43%

PDD
20.43%
Max
16.94%
Q3
8.69%
Median
3.55%
Q1
1.14%
Min
-9.41%

ULTA

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

9.34%

Max
16.94%
ULTA
9.34%
Q3
8.69%
Median
3.55%
Q1
1.14%
Min
-9.41%
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PDD (PDD) vs. Ulta Beauty (ULTA): A comparison of their net margin against the Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

PDD (PDD) at 24.71% shows unusually strong operating efficiency — above its industry’s operating margin range — and Ulta Beauty (ULTA) at 12.51% also operates in the top quartile.

PDD

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

24.71%

PDD
24.71%
Max
21.45%
Q3
10.89%
Median
5.57%
Q1
2.28%
Min
-7.12%

ULTA

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

12.51%

Max
21.45%
ULTA
12.51%
Q3
10.89%
Median
5.57%
Q1
2.28%
Min
-7.12%
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PDD (PDD) vs. Ulta Beauty (ULTA): A comparison of their operating margin against the Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for PDD (PDD) and Ulta Beauty (ULTA)
MetricPDDULTA
ROE (TTM)22.75%46.12%
ROA (TTM)10.01%14.84%
Net Margin (TTM)20.43%9.34%
Operating Margin (TTM)24.71%12.51%
Gross Margin (TTM)56.32%43.10%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Both PDD (PDD) at 9.65% and Ulta Beauty (ULTA) at 9.71% land near their industries' usual revenue growth ranges, so top-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.

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PDD (PDD) vs. Ulta Beauty (ULTA): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Both PDD (PDD) at -11.79% and Ulta Beauty (ULTA) at 1.18% land near their industries' usual EPS growth ranges, so bottom-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.

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PDD (PDD) vs. Ulta Beauty (ULTA): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for PDD (PDD) and Ulta Beauty (ULTA)
MetricPDDULTA
Revenue Growth (YoY)9.65%9.71%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)49.00%6.68%
EPS Growth (YoY)-11.79%1.18%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)45.15%2.21%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Ulta Beauty (ULTA) at 1.35 keeps current ratio within its industry’s typical mid-range, while PDD (PDD) at 2.62 sits above its industry’s typical mid-range — comfortable liquidity, though possibly with more idle current assets relative to peers.

PDD

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

2.62

PDD
2.62
Max
2.62
Q3
1.75
Median
1.35
Q1
1.00
Min
0.48

ULTA

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

1.35

Max
2.62
Q3
1.75
Median
1.35
ULTA
1.35
Q1
1.00
Min
0.48
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PDD (PDD) vs. Ulta Beauty (ULTA): A comparison of their current ratio against the Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

PDD (PDD) at 0.01 keeps leverage in the lower industry quartile, while Ulta Beauty (ULTA) at 0.95 runs a more typical debt-to-equity mix.

PDD

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

0.01

Max
3.93
Q3
2.14
Median
1.25
Q1
0.73
PDD
0.01
Min
0.01

ULTA

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

0.95

Max
3.93
Q3
2.14
Median
1.25
ULTA
0.95
Q1
0.73
Min
0.01
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PDD (PDD) vs. Ulta Beauty (ULTA): A comparison of their debt-to-equity ratio against the Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength Metrics

Financial strength metrics for PDD (PDD) and Ulta Beauty (ULTA)
MetricPDDULTA
Current Ratio (MRQ)2.621.35
Debt / Equity (MRQ)0.010.95
Net Debt / EBITDA-4.561.19

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Neither PDD (PDD) nor Ulta Beauty (ULTA) pays a dividend this period — they may reinvest, use buybacks, or simply not return cash through dividends.

PDD

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

0.00%

Max
5.84%
Q3
2.50%
PDD
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

ULTA

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

0.00%

Max
5.84%
Q3
2.50%
ULTA
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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PDD (PDD) vs. Ulta Beauty (ULTA): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Neither PDD (PDD) nor Ulta Beauty (ULTA) pays a dividend this period — they may reinvest, use buybacks, or simply not return cash through dividends.

PDD

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

0.00%

Max
72.73%
Q3
32.44%
PDD
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

ULTA

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

0.00%

Max
72.73%
Q3
32.44%
ULTA
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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PDD (PDD) vs. Ulta Beauty (ULTA): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for PDD (PDD) and Ulta Beauty (ULTA)
MetricPDDULTA
Dividend Yield (TTM)0.00%0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)0.00%0.00%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

PDD (PDD) at 9.34 sits in the cheaper P/E ratio quartile, while Ulta Beauty (ULTA) at 23.50 is closer to its industry’s usual earnings multiple — a discount for PDD, though growth and earnings durability still matter.

PDD

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

9.34

Max
40.50
Q3
24.26
Median
19.23
Q1
12.64
PDD
9.34
Min
4.67

ULTA

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

23.50

Max
40.50
Q3
24.26
ULTA
23.50
Median
19.23
Q1
12.64
Min
4.67
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PDD (PDD) vs. Ulta Beauty (ULTA): A comparison of their P/E ratio against the Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group benchmark.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

PDD (PDD) at 0.26 looks cheap on sales in the lower P/S ratio quartile, while Ulta Beauty (ULTA) at 2.13 looks rich in the upper quartile — a clear gap in price per dollar of revenue.

PDD

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

0.26

Max
4.32
Q3
1.99
Median
0.70
Q1
0.26
PDD
0.26
Min
0.03

ULTA

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

2.13

Max
4.32
ULTA
2.13
Q3
1.99
Median
0.70
Q1
0.26
Min
0.03
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PDD (PDD) vs. Ulta Beauty (ULTA): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

PDD (PDD) at 1.74 is valued about in line with its industry on P/B ratio, while Ulta Beauty (ULTA) at 10.44 carries an above-peer premium to book — ULTA is pricier on assets.

PDD

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

1.74

Max
10.96
Q3
5.26
Median
2.16
PDD
1.74
Q1
1.08
Min
-4.45

ULTA

Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group

10.44

Max
10.96
ULTA
10.44
Q3
5.26
Median
2.16
Q1
1.08
Min
-4.45
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PDD (PDD) vs. Ulta Beauty (ULTA): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for PDD (PDD) and Ulta Beauty (ULTA)
MetricPDDULTA
P/E Ratio (TTM)9.3423.50
P/S Ratio (TTM)0.262.13
P/B Ratio (MRQ)1.7410.44
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)63.15%3.32%