Carnival Corporation & plc (CCL) vs Ulta Beauty, Inc. (ULTA)

A side-by-side comparison of Carnival Corporation & plc and Ulta Beauty, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 13, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total return — CCL vs ULTA

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
CCL -40.8% (-5.1%/yr)ULTA +123.5% (+8.4%/yr)ULTA compounded faster over this window
0100200300Start $10020182020202220242026$59$224
CCL ULTA

CCL vs ULTA: by the numbers

  • •CCL is the larger company ($30.47B vs $23.44B market cap).
  • •CCL trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (10.02 vs 19.85 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • •CCL converts more revenue to profit (11.24% vs 9.34% net margin).
  • •CCL grew revenue faster over the past five years (187.56% vs 11.09% CAGR).
  • •CCL pays a dividend (1.98% yield), while ULTA is a former payer with no current dividend run rate.

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCCLULTA
P/E ratio10.0219.85
Forward P/E9.9418.81
P/S ratio1.121.81
P/B ratio2.358.87
EV / EBITDA7.4313.25
FCF yield10.50%4.55%

Profitability

MetricCCLULTA
Gross margin34.43%39.32%
Operating margin16.34%12.56%
Net margin11.24%9.34%
ROE23.67%45.77%
ROIC11.08%23.11%

Dividends

MetricCCLULTA
Dividend yield1.98%N/A
Payout ratio20.27%N/A

Growth (annualized)

MetricCCLULTA
Revenue CAGR (5Y)187.56%11.09%
EPS CAGR (5Y)N/A52.46%
FCF CAGR (5Y)29.08%0.06%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-0.17%7.24%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, CCL or ULTA?
CCL has the lower trailing P/E: CCL trades at 10.02 and ULTA at 19.85. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, CCL or ULTA?
Over the past five years, CCL grew revenue faster — CCL at a 187.56% CAGR versus ULTA at 11.09%.
Does CCL or ULTA pay a bigger dividend?
CCL pays a dividend (1.98% yield), while ULTA is a former payer with no current dividend run rate.
Is CCL or ULTA more profitable?
CCL runs the higher net margin — CCL at 11.24% versus ULTA at 9.34%.
How have CCL and ULTA total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, CCL delivered -5.22% and ULTA delivered 8.54% annualized total return. 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 September 13, 2026.