ULTA vs. WSM: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ULTA and WSM, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | ULTA | WSM |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Ulta Beauty, Inc. | Williams-Sonoma, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| GICS Industry | Specialty Retail | Specialty Retail |
| Market Capitalization | 25.37 billion USD | 23.28 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | October 25, 2007 | July 7, 1983 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ULTA and WSM 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 | ULTA | WSM |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 1.43% | -2.56% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 18.98% | 10.00% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 53.85% | 37.63% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 52.92% | 27.73% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 3.49% | -2.22% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 30.09% | 3.20% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 0.53M | 1.09M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 0.70M | 1.36M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 30.00% | 34.60% |
| Beta | 0.87 | 1.56 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
ULTA
48.78%
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 64.63%
- Q3
- 37.13%
- Median
- 19.07%
- Q1
- 10.79%
- Min
- -16.66%
In the upper quartile for the Specialty Retail industry, ULTA’s Return on Equity of 48.78% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
WSM
53.24%
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 64.63%
- Q3
- 37.13%
- Median
- 19.07%
- Q1
- 10.79%
- Min
- -16.66%
In the upper quartile for the Specialty Retail industry, WSM’s Return on Equity of 53.24% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
ULTA
10.51%
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 21.04%
- Q3
- 10.99%
- Median
- 6.08%
- Q1
- 2.46%
- Min
- -4.37%
ULTA’s Net Profit Margin of 10.51% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Specialty Retail industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
WSM
14.21%
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 21.04%
- Q3
- 10.99%
- Median
- 6.08%
- Q1
- 2.46%
- Min
- -4.37%
A Net Profit Margin of 14.21% places WSM 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)
ULTA
13.84%
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 33.35%
- Q3
- 16.40%
- Median
- 9.28%
- Q1
- 4.05%
- Min
- -10.63%
ULTA’s Operating Profit Margin of 13.84% is around the midpoint for the Specialty Retail industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
WSM
18.33%
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 33.35%
- Q3
- 16.40%
- Median
- 9.28%
- Q1
- 4.05%
- Min
- -10.63%
An Operating Profit Margin of 18.33% places WSM in the upper quartile for the Specialty Retail industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | ULTA | WSM |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 48.78% | 53.24% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 19.55% | 21.55% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 10.51% | 14.21% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 13.84% | 18.33% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 38.79% | 45.77% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
ULTA
1.39
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 2.72
- Q3
- 1.81
- Median
- 1.38
- Q1
- 1.15
- Min
- 0.52
ULTA’s Current Ratio of 1.39 aligns with the median group of the Specialty Retail industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
WSM
1.50
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 2.72
- Q3
- 1.81
- Median
- 1.38
- Q1
- 1.15
- Min
- 0.52
WSM’s Current Ratio of 1.50 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)
ULTA
0.11
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 3.44
- Q3
- 1.57
- Median
- 0.60
- Q1
- 0.22
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Specialty Retail industry, ULTA’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.11 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
WSM
0.00
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 3.44
- Q3
- 1.57
- Median
- 0.60
- Q1
- 0.22
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Specialty Retail industry, WSM’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)
ULTA
649.00
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 48.12
- Q3
- 39.12
- Median
- 14.13
- Q1
- 3.63
- 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.
WSM
779.15
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 48.12
- Q3
- 39.12
- Median
- 14.13
- Q1
- 3.63
- Min
- -36.00
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 779.15, WSM 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 | ULTA | WSM |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.39 | 1.50 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.21 | 0.63 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.11 | 0.00 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 649.00 | 779.15 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
ULTA
0.00%
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 6.48%
- Q3
- 2.84%
- Median
- 1.04%
- 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.
WSM
1.30%
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 6.48%
- Q3
- 2.84%
- Median
- 1.04%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
WSM’s Dividend Yield of 1.30% is consistent with its peers in the Specialty Retail industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
ULTA
0.00%
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 192.64%
- Q3
- 79.43%
- Median
- 26.55%
- 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.
WSM
26.99%
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 192.64%
- Q3
- 79.43%
- Median
- 26.55%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
WSM’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 26.99% is within the typical range for the Specialty Retail industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | ULTA | WSM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 1.30% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 26.99% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
ULTA
21.33
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 47.04
- Q3
- 27.74
- Median
- 23.51
- Q1
- 13.77
- Min
- 7.47
ULTA’s P/E Ratio of 21.33 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.
WSM
20.79
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 47.04
- Q3
- 27.74
- Median
- 23.51
- Q1
- 13.77
- Min
- 7.47
WSM’s P/E Ratio of 20.79 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)
ULTA
2.81
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 5.77
- Q3
- 2.79
- Median
- 1.21
- Q1
- 0.53
- Min
- 0.09
ULTA’s P/S Ratio of 2.81 is in the upper echelon for the Specialty 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.
WSM
2.95
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 5.77
- Q3
- 2.79
- Median
- 1.21
- Q1
- 0.53
- Min
- 0.09
WSM’s P/S Ratio of 2.95 is in the upper echelon for the Specialty 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.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
ULTA
8.89
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 16.93
- Q3
- 7.92
- Median
- 3.98
- Q1
- 1.86
- Min
- 0.55
ULTA’s P/B Ratio of 8.89 is in the upper tier for the Specialty Retail 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.
WSM
11.47
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 16.93
- Q3
- 7.92
- Median
- 3.98
- Q1
- 1.86
- Min
- 0.55
WSM’s P/B Ratio of 11.47 is in the upper tier for the Specialty Retail 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 | ULTA | WSM |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 21.33 | 20.79 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 2.81 | 2.95 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 8.89 | 11.47 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 22.81 | 22.50 |