iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs Ulta Beauty Inc — how do they compare? iShares Core S&P 500 ETF trades at $752.41, while Ulta Beauty Inc trades at $491.92 (market cap $20.98B). The key difference: iShares Core S&P 500 ETF is trading nearer its 52-week high, Ulta Beauty Inc nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| IVV | ULTA | |
|---|---|---|
Sector | Broad Market / Factor | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $763.10 | $706.82 |
52-Week Low | $624.65 | $450.75 |
Market Cap | — | $20.98B |
Enterprise Value | — | $23.06B |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
IVV, tracking the S&P 500, trades at $745.67, down 0.14% with a bearish technical signal from moving averages. The fund remains heavily weighted toward technology stocks, with recent news highlighting concentration risks and debates over valuation. A dividend of $2.00 is scheduled for June 2026, providing income amid market volatility.
Outlook is cautious due to technical weakness and high tech exposure, though long-term growth prospects from AI and earnings strength offer potential. Key risks include market concentration, valuation concerns, and macroeconomic shifts impacting broad index performance.
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
IVV tracks the performance of the S&P 500 Index, offering low-cost exposure to 500 of the largest US companies. It is a cornerstone for long-term investors seeking broad growth in the US stock market.
Read more on IVV →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 →