GSK plc vs Ulta Beauty Inc — how do they compare? GSK plc trades at $52.85 (market cap $101.34B), while Ulta Beauty Inc trades at $478.55 (market cap $20.04B). The key difference: GSK plc is far larger — about 5.1× Ulta Beauty Inc's market cap, and GSK plc pays a 3.49% dividend while Ulta Beauty Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| GSK | ULTA | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $101.34B | $20.04B |
Sector | Health | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $61.18 | $706.82 |
52-Week Low | $36.20 | $450.75 |
Enterprise Value | $121.95B | $22.12B |
Dividend Yield | 3.49% | — |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
GSK trades at $52.64, up 2.7% on the day, with a bearish technical signal despite recent earnings beats. The company reported Q1 2026 EPS of $1.24, beating estimates of $1.16, and maintains strong profitability with a 17.78% net income margin. Positive clinical trial results for Jemperli in rectal cancer and FDA approval for Utebzi highlight pipeline strength, while a pending acquisition of Nuvalent, Inc. signals strategic expansion.
GSK offers value with a P/E of 13.71 and stable cash flows, but faces risks from clinical setbacks, as seen in the terminated Alector partnership. Analyst sentiment is mixed with 31% buy ratings, reflecting cautious optimism amid competitive and regulatory pressures. The stock's outlook hinges on execution of growth initiatives and pipeline developments.
ULTA Beauty trades at $478.30, up 1.96% today, with a neutral technical signal and strong fundamentals including a 47.45% ROE and 9.36% net margin. Recent earnings beat expectations in Q1 2026, but net cash flow turned negative in 2025. The stock is supported by a loyal customer base and international expansion initiatives, including a new CTO appointment to bolster digital capabilities.
The outlook is positive with a consensus price target of $623.73, implying 30% upside, though risks include competitive pressures and fluctuating cash flows. Analyst sentiment is bullish with 56.5% buy ratings, but investors should monitor margin sustainability and macroeconomic impacts on consumer spending.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
In the pharmaceutical industry, GSK ranks as one of the largest firms by total sales. The company wields its might across several therapeutic classes, including respiratory, cancer, and antiviral, as well as vaccines. GSK uses joint ventures to gain additional scale in certain markets like HIV.
Read more on GSK →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 →