SFM vs. UL: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at SFM and UL, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
SFM is a standard domestic listing, while UL trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors access to its foreign-listed shares.
| Symbol | SFM | UL |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. | Unilever PLC |
| Country | United States | United Kingdom |
| GICS Sector | Consumer Staples | Consumer Staples |
| GICS Industry | Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail | Personal Care Products |
| Market Capitalization | 14.76 billion USD | 155.84 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | August 1, 2013 | March 25, 1980 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | ADR |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of SFM and UL 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 | SFM | UL |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 5.33% | 3.92% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -10.58% | -0.93% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -14.35% | 6.66% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 52.71% | -2.07% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -0.32% | 6.44% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 18.88% | 3.17% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.59M | 2.02M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.84M | 2.43M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 29.90% | 15.01% |
| Beta | 0.84 | 0.11 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
SFM
36.53%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 34.20%
- Q3
- 21.61%
- Median
- 13.70%
- Q1
- 5.18%
- Min
- -9.87%
SFM’s Return on Equity of 36.53% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
UL
29.40%
Personal Care Products Industry
- Max
- 31.59%
- Q3
- 20.42%
- Median
- 11.01%
- Q1
- 3.26%
- Min
- -18.42%
In the upper quartile for the Personal Care Products industry, UL’s Return on Equity of 29.40% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
SFM
5.77%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 7.16%
- Q3
- 3.87%
- Median
- 2.44%
- Q1
- 1.65%
- Min
- -0.70%
A Net Profit Margin of 5.77% places SFM in the upper quartile for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
UL
9.29%
Personal Care Products Industry
- Max
- 15.12%
- Q3
- 12.06%
- Median
- 9.26%
- Q1
- 5.50%
- Min
- -0.40%
UL’s Net Profit Margin of 9.29% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Personal Care Products industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
SFM
7.56%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 9.42%
- Q3
- 5.29%
- Median
- 4.03%
- Q1
- 2.22%
- Min
- -1.85%
An Operating Profit Margin of 7.56% places SFM in the upper quartile for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
UL
14.58%
Personal Care Products Industry
- Max
- 19.80%
- Q3
- 17.96%
- Median
- 13.14%
- Q1
- 7.58%
- Min
- -4.25%
UL’s Operating Profit Margin of 14.58% is around the midpoint for the Personal Care Products industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | SFM | UL |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 36.53% | 29.40% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 13.15% | 7.13% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 5.77% | 9.29% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 7.56% | 14.58% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 38.69% | -- |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
SFM
0.98
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 1.80
- Q3
- 1.25
- Median
- 0.97
- Q1
- 0.82
- Min
- 0.52
SFM’s Current Ratio of 0.98 aligns with the median group of the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
UL
0.76
Personal Care Products Industry
- Max
- 4.26
- Q3
- 2.61
- Median
- 1.74
- Q1
- 1.13
- Min
- 0.76
UL’s Current Ratio of 0.76 falls into the lower quartile for the Personal Care Products industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
SFM
0.01
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 3.44
- Q3
- 1.56
- Median
- 1.00
- Q1
- 0.30
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, SFM’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.01 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
UL
1.80
Personal Care Products Industry
- Max
- 1.13
- Q3
- 0.63
- Median
- 0.26
- Q1
- 0.04
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.80, UL operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Personal Care Products industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
SFM
53.96
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 24.36
- Q3
- 14.71
- Median
- 6.25
- Q1
- 3.16
- Min
- -10.70
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 53.96, SFM demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
UL
22.79
Personal Care Products Industry
- Max
- 96.53
- Q3
- 59.91
- Median
- 22.25
- Q1
- 7.85
- Min
- -1.93
UL’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 22.79 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Personal Care Products industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | SFM | UL |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.98 | 0.76 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.45 | 0.55 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.01 | 1.80 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 53.96 | 22.79 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
SFM
0.00%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 6.63%
- Q3
- 3.17%
- Median
- 1.35%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
SFM 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.
UL
3.42%
Personal Care Products Industry
- Max
- 4.08%
- Q3
- 2.46%
- Median
- 1.82%
- Q1
- 0.83%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 3.42%, UL offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Personal Care Products industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
SFM
0.00%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 163.46%
- Q3
- 90.34%
- Median
- 52.13%
- Q1
- 20.46%
- Min
- 0.00%
SFM 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.
UL
79.51%
Personal Care Products Industry
- Max
- 207.61%
- Q3
- 115.17%
- Median
- 69.37%
- Q1
- 47.71%
- Min
- 0.00%
UL’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 79.51% is within the typical range for the Personal Care Products industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | SFM | UL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 3.42% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 79.51% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
SFM
29.67
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 49.92
- Q3
- 31.34
- Median
- 23.38
- Q1
- 17.55
- Min
- 6.19
SFM’s P/E Ratio of 29.67 is within the middle range for the Consumer Staples Distribution & 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.
UL
23.23
Personal Care Products Industry
- Max
- 55.49
- Q3
- 36.75
- Median
- 26.49
- Q1
- 22.40
- Min
- 11.12
UL’s P/E Ratio of 23.23 is within the middle range for the Personal Care Products 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)
SFM
1.71
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 1.88
- Q3
- 1.00
- Median
- 0.55
- Q1
- 0.40
- Min
- 0.06
SFM’s P/S Ratio of 1.71 is in the upper echelon for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail 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.
UL
2.16
Personal Care Products Industry
- Max
- 5.35
- Q3
- 2.83
- Median
- 2.07
- Q1
- 1.13
- Min
- 0.00
UL’s P/S Ratio of 2.16 aligns with the market consensus for the Personal Care Products industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
SFM
11.88
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 9.74
- Q3
- 4.99
- Median
- 2.88
- Q1
- 1.77
- Min
- 0.46
At 11.88, SFM’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail 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.
UL
7.06
Personal Care Products Industry
- Max
- 7.32
- Q3
- 5.26
- Median
- 2.93
- Q1
- 1.84
- Min
- 1.14
UL’s P/B Ratio of 7.06 is in the upper tier for the Personal Care Products 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 | SFM | UL |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 29.67 | 23.23 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.71 | 2.16 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 11.88 | 7.06 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 28.64 | 20.05 |