Badger Meter Inc vs Ulta Beauty Inc — how do they compare? Badger Meter Inc trades at $141.46 (market cap $4.13B), while Ulta Beauty Inc trades at $469.56 (market cap $20.17B). The key difference: Ulta Beauty Inc is far larger — about 4.9× Badger Meter Inc's market cap, and Badger Meter Inc pays a 1.13% dividend while Ulta Beauty Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| BMI | ULTA | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $4.13B | $20.17B |
Sector | Technology | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $245.81 | $706.82 |
52-Week Low | $113.41 | $450.75 |
Enterprise Value | $3.92B | $22.25B |
Dividend Yield | 1.13% | — |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Badger Meter (BMI) trades at $140.12, down 2.82% today, with a mixed technical picture showing bullish moving averages but neutral oscillators. Fundamentally, the company reported $917M revenue and $142M net income for 2025, with strong profitability margins but recent earnings misses in Q4 2025 and Q1 2026. A securities class action lawsuit filed in July 2026 adds significant near-term uncertainty, though analyst consensus remains a Buy with a $144.60 price target.
The stock faces headwinds from legal risks and earnings volatility, but solid fundamentals and analyst support suggest potential recovery if legal concerns subside. Investors should weigh the high valuation multiples against operational strength and monitor lawsuit developments closely for directional cues.
ULTA trades at $473.33, up 0.88% today, with a bullish technical signal despite mixed moving averages. 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 international expansion and a partnership with Bath & Body Works, while analyst consensus remains strongly positive with a $623.73 price target.
ULTA presents a compelling investment case with robust fundamentals and growth initiatives, though risks include competitive pressures and potential margin compression. The stock's current valuation below analyst targets suggests upside potential, supported by strong loyalty program engagement and strategic expansions.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
Badger Meter provides industry-leading water management solutions. Its smart measurement hardware and software analytics help water utilities and industrial customers optimize operations and conserve natural resources.
Read more on BMI →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 →