Compare Automatic Data Processing Inc (ADP) vs Ulta Beauty Inc (ULTA) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
Automatic Data Processing Inc vs Ulta Beauty Inc — how do they compare? Automatic Data Processing Inc trades at $271.34 (market cap $107.69B), while Ulta Beauty Inc trades at $531.85 (market cap $23.27B). The key difference: Automatic Data Processing Inc is far larger — about 4.6× Ulta Beauty Inc's market cap, and Automatic Data Processing Inc pays a 2.51% dividend while Ulta Beauty Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ADP | ULTA | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $107.69B | $23.27B |
Sector | Industrials | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $309.03 | $706.82 |
52-Week Low | $188.79 | $450.75 |
Enterprise Value | $108.73B | $25.35B |
Dividend Yield | 2.51% | — |
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
ADP trades at $269.14, down 1.66% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages. The company reported strong Q4 2026 earnings, beating estimates with EPS of $2.62 versus $2.57 expected, and revenue growth continues steadily. Analyst consensus is a $280.50 price target, though the majority rating is Hold. Recent news highlights dividend declarations and employment data reports.
Outlook remains positive due to consistent earnings beats and margin expansion, but high valuation multiples like a P/E of 24.78 pose a risk if growth slows. Key risks include economic sensitivity affecting payroll services demand and competitive pressures in HR solutions.
ULTA stock trades at $532.14, down 3.01% today, amid mixed technical signals with a bullish moving average trend but neutral oscillators. The company reported Q1 2026 EPS of $7.74, beating expectations, and maintains strong profitability with a 39.33% gross margin and 47.45% ROE. Recent news highlights Ulta's omnichannel growth strategy and the end of its Target partnership, viewed as a potential revenue opportunity by analysts.
Outlook is positive with a consensus price target of $618.29, representing 16% upside, supported by 56.53% analyst buy ratings. Risks include margin compression, with net income margin projected to drop to 9.35% in 2026, and volatile cash flows, as net cash flow turned negative in 2025. Investors should weigh strong fundamentals against competitive and execution risks in the retail sector.
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
About Automatic Data Processing Inc
ADP is a provider of payroll and human capital management solutions servicing the full scope of businesses from micro to global enterprises. ADP was established in 1949 and serves over 990,000 clients primarily in the United States. ADP's employer services segment offers payroll, HCM solutions, HR outsourcing, insurance and retirement services. The smaller but faster-growing PEO segment provides HR outsourcing solutions to small and midsize businesses through a co-employment model.
Read more on ADP →About Ulta Beauty Inc
With more than 1,300 stores and a partnership with Target, Ulta Beauty is the largest specialized beauty retailer in the U.S. The firm offers makeup (43% of 2021 sales), fragrances, skin care, and hair care products (20% of 2021 sales), and bath and body items. Ulta offers private-label products and merchandise from more than 500 vendors. It also offers salon services, including hair, makeup, skin, and brow services, in all stores. Most Ulta stores are approximately 10,000 square feet and are in suburban strip centers. Ulta was founded in 1990 and is based in Bolingbrook, Illinois.
Read more on ULTA →
