Ball Corporation (BALL) vs Ulta Beauty, Inc. (ULTA)

ULTA leads on 9 of 16 compared metrics, though BALL is the cheaper stock.

A side-by-side comparison of Ball Corporation and Ulta Beauty, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 15, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — BALL vs ULTA

growth of $100 · last 19y
BALL +329.7%ULTA +1468.5%ULTA compounded faster
05001k2k2k3kStart $1002011201520192023$430$1,569
BALL ULTA

BALL vs ULTA: by the numbers

  • ULTA is the larger company ($20.11B vs $15.17B market cap).
  • BALL trades at the lower earnings multiple (16.52 vs 17.53 P/E).
  • ULTA converts more revenue to profit (9.36% vs 6.87% net margin).
  • ULTA grew revenue faster over the past five years (12.93% vs 2.41% CAGR).
  • BALL pays a dividend (1.40% yield) while ULTA does not currently pay one.

Which is better, BALL or ULTA?

Metric tally: BALL 7 · ULTA 9

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueBALL(lower P/E)
GrowthULTA(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityULTA(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricBALLULTA
P/E ratio16.5217.53
Forward P/E14.2314.65
P/S ratio1.121.62
P/B ratio2.727.97
PEG ratio1.2522.87
EV / EBITDA10.4912.53
FCF yield3.91%5.10%

Profitability

MetricBALLULTA
Gross margin15.69%39.33%
Operating margin9.17%12.54%
Net margin6.87%9.36%
ROE16.73%46.06%
ROIC7.83%22.76%

Dividends

MetricBALLULTA
Dividend yield1.40%
Payout ratio24.02%

Growth (annualized)

MetricBALLULTA
Revenue CAGR (5Y)2.41%12.93%
EPS CAGR (5Y)13.22%52.49%
FCF CAGR (5Y)8.30%0.55%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-5.68%6.68%

Frequently asked

Which is better, BALL or ULTA?
It depends on your goal. value: BALL (lower P/E); growth: ULTA (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: ULTA (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, ULTA leads 9 to 7.
Is BALL or ULTA cheaper?
On trailing earnings, BALL is cheaper: BALL trades at a 16.52 P/E and ULTA at 17.53.
Which has grown faster, BALL or ULTA?
Over the past five years, ULTA grew revenue faster — BALL at a 2.41% CAGR versus ULTA at 12.93%.
Does BALL or ULTA pay a bigger dividend?
BALL pays a dividend (1.40% yield) while ULTA does not currently pay one.
Is BALL or ULTA more profitable?
ULTA runs the higher net margin — BALL at 6.87% versus ULTA at 9.36%.
Which has been the better investment, BALL or ULTA?
Over the past 10-year, ULTA delivered the higher annualized total return — BALL at 5.59% versus ULTA at 6.90%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 15, 2026.