ULS vs. ZTO: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ULS and ZTO, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
ULS is a standard domestic listing, while ZTO trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors access to its foreign-listed shares.
| Symbol | ULS | ZTO |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | UL Solutions Inc. | ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. |
| Country | United States | China |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Professional Services | Air Freight & Logistics |
| Market Capitalization | 13.92 billion USD | 15.23 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | April 12, 2024 | October 27, 2016 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | ADR |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ULS and ZTO 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 | ULS | ZTO |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 3.18% | 1.44% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 1.42% | 4.68% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 27.23% | -5.14% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 43.41% | 2.50% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -0.23% | 4.91% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 41.74% | -2.51% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 0.74M | 2.16M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 0.79M | 2.59M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 36.29% | 37.71% |
| Beta | 0.43 | 0.92 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
ULS
34.07%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 68.01%
- Q3
- 35.32%
- Median
- 21.92%
- Q1
- 11.67%
- Min
- -20.25%
ULS’s Return on Equity of 34.07% is on par with the norm for the Professional Services industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
ZTO
13.99%
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 35.27%
- Q3
- 18.63%
- Median
- 11.99%
- Q1
- 7.41%
- Min
- 2.11%
ZTO’s Return on Equity of 13.99% is on par with the norm for the Air Freight & Logistics industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
ULS
11.08%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 31.75%
- Q3
- 15.50%
- Median
- 8.95%
- Q1
- 4.51%
- Min
- 0.35%
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.
ZTO
18.81%
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 7.92%
- Q3
- 5.98%
- Median
- 4.11%
- Q1
- 2.45%
- Min
- 0.50%
ZTO’s Net Profit Margin of 18.81% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Air Freight & Logistics industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
ULS
16.71%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 30.62%
- Q3
- 19.06%
- Median
- 13.60%
- Q1
- 8.60%
- Min
- -2.18%
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.
ZTO
23.34%
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 11.33%
- Q3
- 8.19%
- Median
- 5.82%
- Q1
- 3.63%
- Min
- 1.06%
ZTO’s Operating Profit Margin of 23.34% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Air Freight & Logistics industry. This demonstrates outstanding efficiency in managing its core operations, which can be a result of strong pricing power or superior cost control.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | ULS | ZTO |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 34.07% | 13.99% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 11.40% | 9.33% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 11.08% | 18.81% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 16.71% | 23.34% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 48.53% | 27.48% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
ULS
1.32
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 2.28
- Q3
- 1.75
- Median
- 1.34
- 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.
ZTO
1.21
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 1.73
- Q3
- 1.33
- Median
- 1.15
- Q1
- 0.95
- Min
- 0.61
ZTO’s Current Ratio of 1.21 aligns with the median group of the Air Freight & Logistics industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
ULS
0.56
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 2.93
- Q3
- 1.45
- Median
- 0.98
- Q1
- 0.45
- 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.
ZTO
0.29
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 1.57
- Q3
- 1.25
- Median
- 0.77
- Q1
- 0.32
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Air Freight & Logistics industry, ZTO’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.29 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)
ULS
11.92
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 39.45
- Q3
- 20.41
- Median
- 11.64
- Q1
- 5.46
- Min
- -1.21
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.
ZTO
--
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 49.07
- Q3
- 23.59
- Median
- 8.92
- Q1
- 6.34
- Min
- -0.60
Interest Coverage Ratio data for ZTO is currently unavailable.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | ULS | ZTO |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.32 | 1.21 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.32 | 1.02 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.56 | 0.29 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 11.92 | -- |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
ULS
0.72%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 4.83%
- Q3
- 2.44%
- Median
- 1.52%
- Q1
- 0.52%
- Min
- 0.00%
ULS’s Dividend Yield of 0.72% is consistent with its peers in the Professional Services industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
ZTO
0.00%
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 6.28%
- Q3
- 3.20%
- Median
- 1.90%
- Q1
- 0.55%
- Min
- 0.00%
ZTO 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)
ULS
31.19%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 128.51%
- Q3
- 69.03%
- Median
- 47.00%
- Q1
- 18.05%
- 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.
ZTO
0.00%
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 160.95%
- Q3
- 92.80%
- Median
- 60.17%
- Q1
- 4.60%
- Min
- 0.00%
ZTO 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 | ULS | ZTO |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.72% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 31.19% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
ULS
43.43
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 52.60
- Q3
- 33.83
- Median
- 24.95
- Q1
- 17.59
- Min
- 7.96
A P/E Ratio of 43.43 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.
ZTO
12.20
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 30.08
- Q3
- 23.03
- Median
- 18.40
- Q1
- 12.84
- Min
- 5.90
In the lower quartile for the Air Freight & Logistics industry, ZTO’s P/E Ratio of 12.20 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
ULS
4.81
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 8.27
- Q3
- 4.40
- Median
- 2.09
- Q1
- 0.99
- Min
- 0.17
ULS’s P/S Ratio of 4.81 is in the upper echelon for the Professional 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.
ZTO
2.29
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 2.28
- Q3
- 1.40
- Median
- 0.63
- Q1
- 0.46
- Min
- 0.19
With a P/S Ratio of 2.29, ZTO trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Air Freight & Logistics industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
ULS
13.37
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 18.75
- Q3
- 9.53
- Median
- 5.88
- Q1
- 2.95
- Min
- 0.59
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.
ZTO
1.59
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 5.68
- Q3
- 3.23
- Median
- 1.97
- Q1
- 1.31
- Min
- 0.80
ZTO’s P/B Ratio of 1.59 is within the conventional range for the Air Freight & Logistics 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 | ULS | ZTO |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 43.43 | 12.20 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 4.81 | 2.29 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 13.37 | 1.59 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 39.02 | 10.17 |