Compare Paychex, Inc. (PAYX) vs Ulta Beauty Inc (ULTA) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
Paychex, Inc. vs Ulta Beauty Inc — how do they compare? Paychex, Inc. trades at $114.91 (market cap $40.85B), while Ulta Beauty Inc trades at $542.26 (market cap $23.17B). The key difference: Paychex, Inc. is the larger of the two by market cap, and Paychex, Inc. pays a 4.15% dividend while Ulta Beauty Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| PAYX | ULTA | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $40.85B | $23.17B |
Sector | Industrials | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $135.46 | $706.82 |
52-Week Low | $85.57 | $450.75 |
Enterprise Value | $44.33B | $25.48B |
Dividend Yield | 4.15% | — |
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Paychex (PAYX) trades at $116.93, down 3.93% in the last session. The stock shows strong profitability with a net income margin of 27.03% and ROE of 44.77%. Recent earnings have consistently beaten expectations, with Q1 2026 EPS of $1.32 surpassing the $1.31 estimate. Technical indicators are mixed, with a bearish moving average signal but RSI suggesting potential oversold conditions. The company continues to expand its AI-driven WISE platform, enhancing service efficiency for small businesses.
The outlook for PAYX is cautiously optimistic, supported by robust cash flow and strategic AI integration. However, risks include elevated valuation multiples and competitive pressures in the HR solutions space. Analyst consensus is a 'Hold' with a $120 price target, indicating limited near-term upside from current levels amid balanced growth and risk factors.
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.
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 Paychex, Inc.
Paychex is a leading provider of payroll, human capital management, and insurance solutions servicing small and midsize clients primarily in the United States. The company, established in 1979, services over 730,000 clients and pays over 1 in 12 U.S. private-sector workers. Alongside its traditional payroll services, Paychex offers HCM solutions such as benefits administration and time and attendance software, as well as human resources outsourcing and insurance agency services.
Read more on PAYX →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 →
