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

Updated on August 25, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	PKG	ULTA
Company Name	Packaging Corporation of America	Ulta Beauty, Inc.
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Materials	Consumer Discretionary
GICS Industry	Containers & Packaging	Specialty Retail
Market Capitalization	17.83 billion USD	23.22 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NasdaqGS
Listing Date	January 28, 2000	October 25, 2007
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of PKG 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	PKG	ULTA
5-Day Price Return	0.81%	-1.80%
13-Week Price Return	1.89%	25.99%
26-Week Price Return	-6.61%	43.35%
52-Week Price Return	0.56%	37.03%
Month-to-Date Return	2.26%	0.33%
Year-to-Date Return	-12.00%	18.80%
10-Day Avg. Volume	0.54M	0.59M
3-Month Avg. Volume	0.74M	0.73M
3-Month Volatility	22.98%	30.78%
Beta	0.94	1.06

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

PKG

20.33%

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max: 41.66%
Q3: 20.76%
Median: 14.35%
Q1: 6.55%
Min: 3.64%

PKG’s Return on Equity of 20.33% is on par with the norm for the Containers & Packaging industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

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.

PKG vs. ULTA: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Containers & Packaging and Specialty Retail industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

PKG

10.47%

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max: 11.61%
Q3: 8.17%
Median: 4.91%
Q1: 4.20%
Min: 0.08%

A Net Profit Margin of 10.47% places PKG in the upper quartile for the Containers & Packaging industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

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.

PKG vs. ULTA: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Containers & Packaging and Specialty Retail industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

PKG

14.39%

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max: 22.03%
Q3: 13.17%
Median: 8.87%
Q1: 6.86%
Min: 0.07%

An Operating Profit Margin of 14.39% places PKG in the upper quartile for the Containers & Packaging industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

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.

PKG vs. ULTA: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Containers & Packaging and Specialty Retail industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	PKG	ULTA
Return on Equity (TTM)	20.33%	49.73%
Return on Assets (TTM)	10.16%	20.15%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	10.47%	10.70%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	14.39%	14.03%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	22.13%	38.55%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

PKG

3.54

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max: 2.13
Q3: 1.57
Median: 1.27
Q1: 1.13
Min: 0.58

PKG’s Current Ratio of 3.54 is exceptionally high, placing it well outside the typical range for the Containers & Packaging industry. This indicates a very strong liquidity position, though such a high ratio may also suggest that the company is not using its assets efficiently to generate profits.

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.

PKG vs. ULTA: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Containers & Packaging and Specialty Retail industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

PKG

0.54

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max: 4.50
Q3: 2.23
Median: 1.22
Q1: 0.54
Min: 0.23

Falling into the lower quartile for the Containers & Packaging industry, PKG’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.54 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.

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.

PKG vs. ULTA: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Containers & Packaging and Specialty Retail industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

PKG

26.71

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max: 13.16
Q3: 8.10
Median: 3.61
Q1: 2.94
Min: 1.06

With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 26.71, PKG demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Containers & Packaging industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.

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.

PKG vs. ULTA: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Containers & Packaging and Specialty Retail industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	PKG	ULTA
Current Ratio (MRQ)	3.54	1.67
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	2.21	0.39
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.54	0.00
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	26.71	649.00

Growth

Revenue Growth

PKG 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

PKG 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)

PKG

2.53%

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max: 7.37%
Q3: 4.07%
Median: 3.33%
Q1: 1.72%
Min: 0.00%

PKG’s Dividend Yield of 2.53% is consistent with its peers in the Containers & Packaging 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.

PKG vs. ULTA: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Containers & Packaging and Specialty Retail industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

PKG

49.67%

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max: 221.20%
Q3: 119.52%
Median: 58.05%
Q1: 28.91%
Min: 0.00%

PKG’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 49.67% is within the typical range for the Containers & Packaging 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.

PKG vs. ULTA: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Containers & Packaging and Specialty Retail industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	PKG	ULTA
Dividend Yield (TTM)	2.53%	0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	49.67%	0.00%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

PKG

19.67

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max: 35.98
Q3: 27.87
Median: 16.15
Q1: 14.38
Min: 8.20

PKG’s P/E Ratio of 19.67 is within the middle range for the Containers & Packaging industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

ULTA

19.42

Specialty Retail Industry

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

ULTA’s P/E Ratio of 19.42 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.

PKG vs. ULTA: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Containers & Packaging and Specialty Retail industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

PKG

2.06

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max: 2.91
Q3: 1.67
Median: 0.83
Q1: 0.64
Min: 0.30

PKG’s P/S Ratio of 2.06 is in the upper echelon for the Containers & Packaging 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

2.61

Specialty Retail Industry

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

ULTA’s P/S Ratio of 2.61 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.

PKG vs. ULTA: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Containers & Packaging and Specialty Retail industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

PKG

3.66

Containers & Packaging Industry

Max: 5.28
Q3: 3.30
Median: 2.35
Q1: 1.57
Min: 0.89

PKG’s P/B Ratio of 3.66 is in the upper tier for the Containers & Packaging 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.

PKG vs. ULTA: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Containers & Packaging and Specialty Retail industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	PKG	ULTA
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	19.67	19.42
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	2.06	2.61
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	3.66	7.32
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	28.54	19.19