Estee Lauder Companies Inc vs Williams-Sonoma, Inc. — how do they compare? Estee Lauder Companies Inc trades at $87.54 (market cap $31.76B), while Williams-Sonoma, Inc. trades at $250.52 (market cap $29.51B). The key difference: Estee Lauder Companies Inc and Williams-Sonoma, Inc. are close in size by market cap, and Estee Lauder Companies Inc pays the higher dividend (1.59%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| EL | WSM | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $31.76B | $29.51B |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $119.61 | $251.81 |
52-Week Low | $67.23 | $168.64 |
Enterprise Value | $37.93B | $30.35B |
Dividend Yield | 1.59% | 1.21% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
EL trades at $87.70, up 0.58% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and a consensus price target of $91.67. Recent quarterly earnings have consistently beaten expectations, though the company reported a net loss of $1.13 billion for 2025. Revenue has declined from $17.7 billion in 2022 to $14.33 billion in 2025, but positive cash flow from operations of $1.27 billion provides liquidity. A new fragrance launch and executive appointment signal ongoing brand development efforts.
The stock presents a mixed outlook. Analyst sentiment is divided with a slight Hold bias, yet technical momentum and earnings beats offer near-term upside potential. Key risks include sustained negative net income margins, high debt levels, and competitive pressures in the beauty sector. The upcoming Q2 2026 earnings report on August 19, 2026, will be critical for validating the recent positive earnings trend and guiding future price direction.
Williams-Sonoma (WSM) trades at $245.16, down 2.26% today, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages but overbought RSI readings. The company maintains strong profitability with a 13.81% net income margin and 54.01% ROE, supported by recent earnings beats. Recent news highlights investor interest and a CEO stock sale, while cash flow trends show variability, with 2025 net cash flow at -$49 million.
Outlook remains positive with consistent earnings performance and a 'Moderate Buy' analyst consensus, though risks include consumer discretionary sector volatility and competitive pressures. The stock trades above the consensus price target of $231.10, suggesting limited near-term upside based on current valuations.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Estee Lauder is the world leader in the global prestige beauty market, participating across skincare (56% of fiscal 2022 sales), makeup (26%), fragrance (14%), and haircare (4%) categories, with popular brands such as Estee Lauder, Clinique, MAC, La Mer, Jo Malone, Aveda, Bobbi Brown, Too Faced, Origins, Dr. Jart+, and The Ordinary. The firm operates in 150 countries, with 26% of fiscal 2022 revenue stemming from the Americas, 43% from Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, and 31% from Asia-Pacific. The company sells its products through department stores, travel retail, multi-brand specialty beauty stores, brand-dedicated freestanding stores, e-commerce, salons/spas, and perfumeries.
Read more on EL →With a wide retail and direct-to-consumer presence, Williams-Sonoma is a leader in the $300 billion domestic home category, focused on expanding its exposure in the B2B, marketplace, and franchise areas. Namesake Williams-Sonoma (175 stores) offers high-end cooking essentials, while Pottery Barn (189) provides casual home accessories. Brand extensions include Pottery Barn Kids (52) and PBteen. West Elm (121) is an emerging concept for young professionals, and Rejuvenation (9) offers lighting and house parts. Williams-Sonoma also has a business-to-business team that supports projects that range from residential to large-scale commercial.
Read more on WSM →