Novartis AG vs Ulta Beauty Inc — how do they compare? Novartis AG trades at $139.3 (market cap $262.64B), while Ulta Beauty Inc trades at $542.26 (market cap $24.12B). The key difference: Novartis AG is far larger — about 10.9× Ulta Beauty Inc's market cap, and Novartis AG pays a 3.44% dividend while Ulta Beauty Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| NVS | ULTA | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $262.64B | $24.12B |
Sector | Health | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $168.62 | $706.82 |
52-Week Low | $121.80 | $450.75 |
Enterprise Value | $303.97B | $26.43B |
Dividend Yield | 3.44% | — |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Novartis (NVS) is trading at $137.70, down 13.93% following significant clinical trial setbacks for del-desiran and pelacarsen. The stock shows bearish technical signals with support at $133-$136 and resistance at $140-$143. Fundamentally, the company maintains strong profitability with 74.74% gross margins and 22.5% net income margins, though recent pipeline failures have overshadowed solid financial performance.
While Novartis maintains strong financial fundamentals and reiterated 2025-2030 growth guidance, the recent clinical trial failures create near-term uncertainty. The stock faces pressure from pipeline setbacks but offers value at current levels for long-term investors willing to weather development risks. Analyst consensus remains cautious with 68% hold ratings.
ULTA Beauty trades at $549.23, down 2.64% today, amid mixed signals. The stock shows a bullish technical trend with strong moving averages, while fundamentals reveal steady revenue growth to $11.30B in 2025, though net income margin has softened to 9.34%. Recent Q2 2026 earnings beat expectations, and the company raised full-year guidance, yet some segments like cosmetics showed flat performance.
The outlook is cautiously optimistic, with a consensus price target of $653.14 implying significant upside. Key opportunities include digital growth and AI integration potential, but risks involve competitive pressures and reliance on discretionary consumer spending. Analyst sentiment remains predominantly bullish, supporting a favorable risk-reward profile for long-term investors.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
Novartis develops and manufactures healthcare products through two segments: Innovative Medicines and Sandoz. It generates the vast majority of its revenue from Innovative Medicines segment consisting global business franchises in oncology, ophthalmology, neuroscience, immunology, respiratory, cardio-metabolic, and established medicines. The company sells its products globally, with the United States representing close to one third of total revenue.
Read more on NVS →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 →