Ulta Beauty Inc vs Williams-Sonoma, Inc. — how do they compare? Ulta Beauty Inc trades at $531.85 (market cap $23.27B), while Williams-Sonoma, Inc. trades at $250.52 (market cap $29.51B). The key difference: Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is the larger of the two by market cap, and Williams-Sonoma, Inc. pays a 1.21% dividend while Ulta Beauty Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ULTA | WSM | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $23.27B | $29.51B |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $706.82 | $251.81 |
52-Week Low | $450.75 | $168.64 |
Enterprise Value | $25.35B | $30.35B |
Dividend Yield | — | 1.21% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
ULTA stock trades at $532.14, down 3.01% today, amid mixed technical signals with a bullish moving average trend but neutral oscillators. The company reported Q1 2026 EPS of $7.74, beating expectations, and maintains strong profitability with a 39.33% gross margin and 47.45% ROE. Recent news highlights Ulta's omnichannel growth strategy and the end of its Target partnership, viewed as a potential revenue opportunity by analysts.
Outlook is positive with a consensus price target of $618.29, representing 16% upside, supported by 56.53% analyst buy ratings. Risks include margin compression, with net income margin projected to drop to 9.35% in 2026, and volatile cash flows, as net cash flow turned negative in 2025. Investors should weigh strong fundamentals against competitive and execution risks in the retail sector.
Williams-Sonoma (WSM) trades at $245.16, down 2.26% today, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages but overbought RSI readings. The company maintains strong profitability with a 13.81% net income margin and 54.01% ROE, supported by recent earnings beats. Recent news highlights investor interest and a CEO stock sale, while cash flow trends show variability, with 2025 net cash flow at -$49 million.
Outlook remains positive with consistent earnings performance and a 'Moderate Buy' analyst consensus, though risks include consumer discretionary sector volatility and competitive pressures. The stock trades above the consensus price target of $231.10, suggesting limited near-term upside based on current valuations.
Trailing returns across standard periods
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 →With a wide retail and direct-to-consumer presence, Williams-Sonoma is a leader in the $300 billion domestic home category, focused on expanding its exposure in the B2B, marketplace, and franchise areas. Namesake Williams-Sonoma (175 stores) offers high-end cooking essentials, while Pottery Barn (189) provides casual home accessories. Brand extensions include Pottery Barn Kids (52) and PBteen. West Elm (121) is an emerging concept for young professionals, and Rejuvenation (9) offers lighting and house parts. Williams-Sonoma also has a business-to-business team that supports projects that range from residential to large-scale commercial.
Read more on WSM →