Howmet Aerospace Inc vs Ulta Beauty Inc — how do they compare? Howmet Aerospace Inc trades at $273.5 (market cap $108.82B), while Ulta Beauty Inc trades at $488 (market cap $20.98B). The key difference: Howmet Aerospace Inc is far larger — about 5.2× Ulta Beauty Inc's market cap, and Howmet Aerospace Inc pays a 0.18% dividend while Ulta Beauty Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| HWM | ULTA | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $108.82B | $20.98B |
Sector | Industrials | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $283.23 | $706.82 |
52-Week Low | $171.00 | $450.75 |
Enterprise Value | $111.07B | $23.06B |
Dividend Yield | 0.18% | — |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Howmet Aerospace (HWM) trades at $271.98, down 0.17% on the day, with a neutral technical signal and bullish moving averages. The company reported strong earnings beats in recent quarters, with Q1 2026 EPS of $1.22 exceeding the $1.11 estimate. Financials show robust profitability, including a 20.22% net income margin and 33.98% ROE, though valuation ratios like a P/E of 63.21 appear elevated. Recent news highlights commercial aerospace demand driving growth, with shares gaining 249% since May 2024 according to FXEmpire on July 15, 2026.
The outlook remains positive due to sustained aerospace demand and analyst consensus favoring buys, but risks include high valuation sensitivity and market volatility. Upside to the $317.63 price target offers potential, yet investors should weigh premium multiples against earnings growth momentum and sector cyclicality.
ULTA Beauty trades at $488.01, up 1.76% with a bullish technical signal despite mixed moving averages. The company maintains strong profitability with 39.33% gross margins and 47.45% ROE, though revenue growth has slowed to 0.9% in 2025. Recent leadership appointments and international expansion initiatives signal strategic positioning for future growth.
ULTA presents a compelling value opportunity with a 17.97 P/E ratio below historical averages, supported by 56.5% analyst buy ratings and a $618.29 consensus target. However, margin compression risks and competitive pressures require monitoring as the company navigates evolving consumer trends and expansion challenges.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Howmet Aerospace provides advanced engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries. It specializes in jet engine components, aerospace fastening systems, and forged aluminum wheels.
Read more on HWM →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 →