SCI vs. ULTA: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at SCI and ULTA, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | SCI | ULTA |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Service Corporation International | Ulta Beauty, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| GICS Industry | Diversified Consumer Services | Specialty Retail |
| Market Capitalization | 11.36 billion USD | 23.22 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | March 17, 1980 | October 25, 2007 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of SCI 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 | SCI | ULTA |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.38% | -1.80% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 3.62% | 25.99% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -0.61% | 43.35% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 7.67% | 37.03% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 6.12% | 0.33% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 1.45% | 18.80% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 0.82M | 0.59M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.08M | 0.73M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 16.21% | 30.78% |
| Beta | 0.91 | 1.06 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
SCI
32.84%
Diversified Consumer Services Industry
- Max
- 32.65%
- Q3
- 29.77%
- Median
- 16.63%
- Q1
- 11.08%
- Min
- 2.26%
SCI’s Return on Equity of 32.84% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Diversified Consumer Services 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)
SCI
12.60%
Diversified Consumer Services Industry
- Max
- 18.84%
- Q3
- 13.34%
- Median
- 12.22%
- Q1
- 7.92%
- Min
- 3.76%
SCI’s Net Profit Margin of 12.60% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Diversified Consumer Services 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)
SCI
22.39%
Diversified Consumer Services Industry
- Max
- 26.63%
- Q3
- 19.23%
- Median
- 15.23%
- Q1
- 8.71%
- Min
- -0.71%
An Operating Profit Margin of 22.39% places SCI in the upper quartile for the Diversified Consumer Services 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.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | SCI | ULTA |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 32.84% | 49.73% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 3.05% | 20.15% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 12.60% | 10.70% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 22.39% | 14.03% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 26.41% | 38.55% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
SCI
0.61
Diversified Consumer Services Industry
- Max
- 3.40
- Q3
- 1.97
- Median
- 1.66
- Q1
- 0.60
- Min
- 0.15
SCI’s Current Ratio of 0.61 aligns with the median group of the Diversified Consumer Services industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
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)
SCI
3.23
Diversified Consumer Services Industry
- Max
- 2.92
- Q3
- 1.22
- Median
- 0.36
- Q1
- 0.01
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 3.23, SCI operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Diversified Consumer Services 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)
SCI
3.62
Diversified Consumer Services Industry
- Max
- 13.44
- Q3
- 10.58
- Median
- 5.57
- Q1
- 3.04
- Min
- -2.17
SCI’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 3.62 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Diversified Consumer Services 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 | SCI | ULTA |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.61 | 1.67 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.56 | 0.39 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 3.23 | 0.00 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 3.62 | 649.00 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
SCI
1.57%
Diversified Consumer Services Industry
- Max
- 2.29%
- Q3
- 0.98%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 1.57%, SCI offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Diversified Consumer Services industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
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)
SCI
33.29%
Diversified Consumer Services Industry
- Max
- 35.94%
- Q3
- 25.79%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
SCI’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 33.29% is in the upper quartile for the Diversified Consumer Services industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.
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 | SCI | ULTA |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.57% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 33.29% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
SCI
21.22
Diversified Consumer Services Industry
- Max
- 33.95
- Q3
- 25.14
- Median
- 19.27
- Q1
- 15.30
- Min
- 5.58
SCI’s P/E Ratio of 21.22 is within the middle range for the Diversified Consumer Services 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.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
SCI
2.67
Diversified Consumer Services Industry
- Max
- 3.29
- Q3
- 2.54
- Median
- 2.27
- Q1
- 1.92
- Min
- 1.28
SCI’s P/S Ratio of 2.67 is in the upper echelon for the Diversified Consumer Services 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.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
SCI
7.43
Diversified Consumer Services Industry
- Max
- 7.00
- Q3
- 6.37
- Median
- 3.31
- Q1
- 2.13
- Min
- 0.98
At 7.43, SCI’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Diversified Consumer Services 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 | SCI | ULTA |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 21.22 | 19.42 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 2.67 | 2.61 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 7.43 | 7.32 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 17.99 | 19.19 |