Compare Plug Power Inc (PLUG) vs Ulta Beauty Inc (ULTA) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
Plug Power Inc vs Ulta Beauty Inc — how do they compare? Plug Power Inc trades at $2.24 (market cap $2.98B), while Ulta Beauty Inc trades at $475 (market cap $21.04B). The key difference: Ulta Beauty Inc is far larger — about 7.1× Plug Power Inc's market cap, and Plug Power Inc is trading nearer its 52-week high, Ulta Beauty Inc nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| PLUG | ULTA | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $2.98B | $21.04B |
Sector | Industrials | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $4.14 | $706.82 |
52-Week Low | $1.40 | $450.75 |
Enterprise Value | $3.77B | $23.12B |
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Plug Power (PLUG) trades at $2.27, up 5.58% on the day, but remains in a bearish technical trend with oversold RSI readings. The company shows persistent unprofitability with a -227.13% net margin and negative cash flows, though recent earnings have beaten estimates in two of the last three quarters. Positive developments include a 50-megawatt electrolyzer order in Australia and strategic asset sales aimed at boosting liquidity by over $275 million, providing some operational momentum amid financial challenges.
The outlook remains high-risk due to deep losses and cash burn, but analyst consensus is cautiously optimistic with a $2.92 price target (28% upside). Investment opportunity hinges on successful turnaround execution and hydrogen demand growth, while key risks include continued dilution, competitive pressure, and reliance on financing to fund operations. The stock's depressed valuation reflects significant skepticism, leaving room for volatility on news flow.
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
About Plug Power Inc
Plug Power is building an end-to-end green hydrogen ecosystem—from production, storage and delivery to energy generation. The company plans to build and operate green hydrogen highways across North America and Europe. Plug will deliver its green hydrogen solutions directly to its customers and through joint venture partners into multiple end markets—including material handling, e-mobility, power generation, and industrial applications.
Read more on PLUG →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 →
