Illumina, Inc. vs Ulta Beauty Inc — how do they compare? Illumina, Inc. trades at $189.8 (market cap $27.94B), while Ulta Beauty Inc trades at $492.61 (market cap $20.98B). The key difference: Illumina, Inc. is the larger of the two by market cap, and Illumina, Inc. is trading nearer its 52-week high, Ulta Beauty Inc nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ILMN | ULTA | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $27.94B | $20.98B |
Sector | Health | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $194.33 | $706.82 |
52-Week Low | $91.00 | $450.75 |
Enterprise Value | $29.33B | $23.06B |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Illumina (ILMN) trades at $185.36, down 0.69% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages. The stock shows strong profitability with a 19.42% net income margin and has beaten EPS estimates for three consecutive quarters. Recent news highlights expansion of the Billion Cell Atlas program and upcoming Q2 2026 earnings on July 30.
Outlook remains positive with 51% analyst buy ratings, though the current price exceeds the $178 consensus target. Key risks include competitive pressure from Roche's new sequencer and China market weakness. Earnings growth and cost control initiatives support upside potential, but valuation multiples suggest limited near-term appreciation.
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
Latest headlines on both assets
Illumina provides tools and services to analyze genetic material with life science and clinical lab applications. The company generates over 90% of its revenue from sequencing instruments, consumables, and services. Illumina's high-throughput technology enables whole genome sequencing in humans and other large organisms. Its lower throughput tools enable applications that require smaller data outputs, such as viral and cancer tumor screening. Illumina also sells microarrays (less than 10% of sales) that enable lower-cost, focused genetic screening with primarily consumer and agricultural applications.
Read more on ILMN →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 →