Automatic Data Processing Inc vs Ulta Beauty Inc — how do they compare? Automatic Data Processing Inc trades at $267.12 (market cap $107.69B), while Ulta Beauty Inc trades at $536 (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% | — |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
ADP trades at $273.68, up 0.87% today, near its consensus price target of $280.50. The stock shows bullish technical signals with strong moving averages and support at $270. Recent quarterly earnings consistently beat estimates, with Q2 2026 EPS of $2.64 surpassing the $2.59 forecast. Revenue growth is steady, reaching $20.56 billion in 2025, with a net income margin of 20.11% and robust ROE of 72.24%.
Outlook remains positive given earnings momentum and dividend stability, but high valuation multiples (P/E 24.78, P/S 4.98) pose risks if growth slows. Analyst sentiment is mixed with 63.89% hold ratings, reflecting caution amid elevated prices. Key risks include labor market sensitivity and competitive pressures in payroll processing.
ULTA Beauty trades at $548.66, down 2.92% on the day, with strong technical momentum indicated by bullish moving averages and key support at $542. Fundamentally, the company maintains robust profitability with 39.33% gross margins and 47.45% ROE, though recent earnings showed mixed results with a Q4 miss. Revenue growth has been consistent, reaching $11.3B in 2025, while analyst sentiment remains positive with 56.53% buy ratings.
The outlook for ULTA remains favorable with a consensus price target of $618.29 offering 12.7% upside potential. Key opportunities include omnichannel expansion and digital growth initiatives, while risks involve margin pressure from rising costs and competitive retail landscape. Institutional ownership trends show continued confidence with recent position increases by major funds.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
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 →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 →