Compare Novartis AG (NVS) vs Ulta Beauty Inc (ULTA) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
Novartis AG vs Ulta Beauty Inc — how do they compare? Novartis AG trades at $153.88 (market cap $290.25B), while Ulta Beauty Inc trades at $489.47 (market cap $20.98B). The key difference: Novartis AG is far larger — about 13.8× Ulta Beauty Inc's market cap, and Novartis AG pays a 3.17% dividend while Ulta Beauty Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| NVS | ULTA | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $290.25B | $20.98B |
Sector | Health | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $168.62 | $706.82 |
52-Week Low | $113.50 | $450.75 |
Enterprise Value | $330.27B | $23.06B |
Dividend Yield | 3.17% | — |
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Novartis (NVS) trades at $153.87, showing minimal daily movement with a slight 0.07% gain. The stock exhibits bearish technical signals from moving averages despite a neutral oscillator reading. Fundamentally, the company reported strong Q2 2026 earnings that beat expectations, with revenue of $56.67 billion in 2025 and robust profitability margins, including a net income margin of 23.92%. Recent news highlights successful drug launches offsetting generic competition pressures.
The outlook remains cautiously optimistic as new medicines drive growth, but risks include patent expirations and pipeline trial results. Analyst sentiment is mixed with 68% hold ratings, reflecting balanced views on execution versus competitive threats. Investment appeal hinges on sustained drug innovation and margin stability amid industry headwinds.
ULTA Beauty trades at $489.47, up 2.06% with a bullish technical signal despite mixed moving averages. The company maintains strong profitability with 39.33% gross margins and 47.45% ROE, though net margins have declined from 12.17% in 2023 to 10.63% in 2025. Recent Q1 2026 earnings beat expectations at $7.74 EPS versus $6.89 expected, while Q4 2025 missed. Analyst consensus remains strongly positive with 26 buy ratings and a $618.29 price target, representing 26% upside potential.
ULTA presents a compelling growth story with international expansion and digital engagement driving long-term potential. However, investors face risks from margin compression, competitive pressures in beauty retail, and volatile cash flow patterns. The stock's current valuation at 18.29x P/E appears reasonable given growth prospects, but requires monitoring of consumer spending trends and execution on strategic initiatives.
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
About Novartis AG
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 →About Ulta Beauty Inc
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 →
