Old Dominion Freight Line Inc vs Ulta Beauty Inc — how do they compare? Old Dominion Freight Line Inc trades at $182.12 (market cap $37.71B), while Ulta Beauty Inc trades at $542.26 (market cap $23.17B). The key difference: Old Dominion Freight Line Inc is the larger of the two by market cap, and Old Dominion Freight Line Inc pays a 0.64% dividend while Ulta Beauty Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ODFL | ULTA | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $37.71B | $23.17B |
Sector | Industrials | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $248.73 | $706.82 |
52-Week Low | $126.29 | $450.75 |
Enterprise Value | $37.45B | $25.48B |
Dividend Yield | 0.64% | — |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL) trades at $187.01, up 0.61% on the day, with a bearish technical signal but strong fundamentals. The stock has beaten earnings estimates for three consecutive quarters, with Q3 2026 results pending. Revenue per day rose 12.4% year-over-year in August 2026, though net income margins have softened from 21.99% in 2022 to 18.62% in 2025. The balance sheet remains robust with low debt, and cash flow trends show improved net cash flow in 2026.
Outlook: ODFL's premium valuation (P/E 35.96) demands sustained execution, but analyst consensus targets $238.73 imply ~28% upside. Risks include freight volume pressure and high valuation sensitivity. Institutional buying and cost discipline support momentum, though technical weakness near support at $182 warrants caution.
ULTA Beauty trades at $549.23, down 2.64% today, but maintains strong technical support near $539-$530. The company reported solid Q2 2026 earnings with EPS of $6.55 beating expectations of $6.22, while raising full-year guidance. Revenue growth continues at 8.9% year-over-year, though profit margins show slight compression from 12.17% in 2023 to 10.63% in 2025. Analyst consensus remains bullish with a $644 price target representing 17% upside potential.
ULTA presents a compelling growth story with consistent earnings beats and strong institutional support, but faces margin pressure and competitive retail headwinds. The stock's current valuation at 20.54 P/E appears reasonable given its 46.12% ROE and market leadership position. Key risks include consumer spending sensitivity and execution challenges in maintaining growth momentum.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
Old Dominion Freight Line is the fourth-largest less-than-truckload carrier in the United States, with more than 240 service centers and 9,200-plus tractors. OD is by far one of the most disciplined and efficient providers in the trucking industry, and its profitability and capital returns stand head and shoulders above its peers. Strategic initiatives revolve around increasing network density through market share gains and maintaining industry-leading service via consistent infrastructure investment.
Read more on ODFL →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 →