National Beverage Corp. vs Ulta Beauty Inc — how do they compare? National Beverage Corp. trades at $30.88 (market cap $2.77B), while Ulta Beauty Inc trades at $562.39 (market cap $23.32B). The key difference: Ulta Beauty Inc is far larger — about 8.4× National Beverage Corp.'s market cap, and Ulta Beauty Inc is trading nearer its 52-week high, National Beverage Corp. nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals — on Pluang, investors hold National Beverage Corp. for 33 Days and Ulta Beauty Inc for 92 Days on average.
| FIZZ | ULTA | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $2.77B | $23.32B |
Volume | 413,496 | 321,683 |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $37.73 | $706.82 |
52-Week Low | $29.20 | $450.75 |
Typical Hold Time | 33 Days | 92 Days |
Enterprise Value | $2.72B | $25.63B |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
FIZZ trades at $29.60, down 1.4% with bearish technical signals from moving averages. The company reported flat revenue of $1.2B in 2025 but maintained strong profitability with 36.2% gross margins and 40.1% ROE. Recent Q1 2027 results showed the first year-over-year revenue growth since Q1 2026, though margins compressed to 35% and EPS declined to $0.50. Analyst sentiment is cautious with 50% sell ratings amid concerns about stalled growth and margin pressure from input costs.
The outlook remains challenging with LaCroix volumes declining for four consecutive years and Trump tariffs impacting profitability. While valuation multiples appear reasonable (P/E 15.9, EV/EBITDA 11.3), the lack of clear growth catalysts and negative cash flow trends present headwinds. The $3.25 special dividend provides shareholder return but reduces equity base, highlighting the company's mature market position.
ULTA trades at $564.21, up 3.09% today, with a bullish technical outlook and strong analyst support. The stock has shown robust earnings beats in recent quarters, with Q1 and Q2 2026 exceeding expectations, and the company raised its 2026 guidance. Revenue growth is steady, though net margins have softened slightly from 12.17% in 2023 to 10.63% in 2025. Valuation ratios like a P/E of 19.86 and P/S of 1.86 appear reasonable relative to profitability metrics such as a 46.12% ROE.
The investment case hinges on execution of raised guidance and e-commerce momentum, but risks include margin pressure and flat store traffic. With a consensus price target of $624.93 implying ~11% upside and no sell ratings from analysts, the stock presents a growth opportunity tempered by near-term consumer and competitive challenges.
Trailing returns across standard periods
National Beverage Corp is one of the top 10 non-alcoholic beverage companies in the U.S. Its portfolio skews toward functional drinks (that is those purporting to offer health benefits) and is anchored by the popular LaCroix sparkling water trademark. Other offerings include Rip It energy drinks, Everfresh juices, and soda brands like Shasta and Faygo. The firm controls most of its production and distribution apparatus, with very little outsourcing. In terms of go-to-market, it uses warehouse distribution for big-box retailers, direct-store-delivery for convenience stores and other small outlets, and food-service distributors for the food-service channel (schools, hospitals, restaurants). It is controlled by chairman and CEO Nick Caporella, who owns over 73% of the common stock.
Read more on FIZZ →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 →