CAVA Group Inc vs Ulta Beauty Inc — how do they compare? CAVA Group Inc trades at $69.69 (market cap $8.15B), while Ulta Beauty Inc trades at $469.56 (market cap $20.17B). The key difference: Ulta Beauty Inc is far larger — about 2.5× CAVA Group Inc's market cap, and CAVA Group Inc is trading nearer its 52-week high, Ulta Beauty Inc nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CAVA | ULTA | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $8.15B | $20.17B |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $97.39 | $706.82 |
52-Week Low | $43.59 | $450.75 |
Enterprise Value | $8.25B | $22.25B |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
CAVA trades at $72.54, up 0.5% on the day, with a bearish technical signal despite recent earnings beats. The stock shows strong revenue growth and expansion momentum, but faces high valuation multiples and margin pressures. Recent news highlights aggressive store openings and technology investments driving traffic, though the stock has experienced volatility amid market fluctuations.
Outlook remains growth-focused with analyst consensus bullish, targeting $94.73, but risks include elevated P/E of 134.56, competitive pressures, and potential margin compression from expansion costs. The stock offers upside if execution continues, but requires careful monitoring of profitability trends.
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
CAVA is a Mediterranean fast-casual restaurant brand in the US. It offers customizable bowls, salads, and pitas featuring healthy ingredients, while also selling its signature dips and dressings in grocery stores.
Read more on CAVA →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 →