iShares MSCI Japan ETF vs Ulta Beauty Inc — how do they compare? iShares MSCI Japan ETF trades at $97.7, while Ulta Beauty Inc trades at $538.28 (market cap $23.27B). The key difference: iShares MSCI Japan ETF is trading nearer its 52-week high, Ulta Beauty Inc nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| EWJ | ULTA | |
|---|---|---|
Sector | Broad Market / Factor | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $96.97 | $706.82 |
52-Week Low | $77.93 | $450.75 |
Market Cap | — | $23.27B |
Enterprise Value | — | $25.35B |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
EWJ (iShares MSCI Japan ETF) trades at $98.12, up 2.16% with strong bullish technical signals from moving averages. The ETF benefits from recent U.S.-Japan currency intervention supporting the yen, while facing headwinds from Japan's inflation dynamics and export pressures. Technical indicators show overbought conditions with RSI at 84.79, suggesting potential near-term consolidation.
Outlook remains cautiously optimistic as Japanese equities respond to policy support, though currency volatility and economic uncertainty present risks. The fund's exposure to Japan's export sector faces challenges from yen strength, while domestic stimulus measures could provide upside potential for consumer-focused holdings.
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
EWJ tracks the MSCI Japan Index, providing broad exposure to over 180 large and mid-cap companies in Japan. It is the most established and liquid vehicle for accessing the Japanese equity market, featuring a diversified portfolio across industrials, consumer discretionary, and financial sectors.
Read more on EWJ →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 →