Darden Restaurants, Inc. (DRI) vs Ulta Beauty, Inc. (ULTA)

A side-by-side comparison of Darden Restaurants, Inc. 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 returnDRI vs ULTA

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
DRI +354.3% (+16.3%/yr)ULTA +123.5% (+8.4%/yr)DRI compounded faster over this window
100200300400500Start $10020182020202220242026$454$224
DRI ULTA

DRI vs ULTA: by the numbers

  • DRI is the larger company ($23.77B vs $23.38B market cap).
  • ULTA trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (19.80 vs 19.98 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • ULTA converts more revenue to profit (9.34% vs 9.13% net margin).
  • DRI grew revenue faster over the past five years (12.92% vs 11.09% CAGR).
  • DRI pays a dividend (2.92% yield), while ULTA is a former payer with no current dividend run rate.

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricDRIULTA
P/E ratio19.9819.80
Forward P/E18.4018.76
P/S ratio1.801.80
P/B ratio10.778.84
EV / EBITDA13.8113.22
FCF yield3.20%4.56%

Profitability

MetricDRIULTA
Gross margin69.43%39.32%
Operating margin11.98%12.56%
Net margin9.13%9.34%
ROE54.66%45.77%
ROIC13.11%23.11%

Dividends

MetricDRIULTA
Dividend yield2.92%N/A
Payout ratio58.90%N/A

Growth (annualized)

MetricDRIULTA
Revenue CAGR (5Y)12.92%11.09%
EPS CAGR (5Y)16.70%52.46%
FCF CAGR (5Y)3.87%0.06%
Total return CAGR (5Y)10.74%7.24%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, DRI or ULTA?
ULTA has the lower trailing P/E: DRI trades at 19.98 and ULTA at 19.80. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, DRI or ULTA?
Over the past five years, DRI grew revenue faster — DRI at a 12.92% CAGR versus ULTA at 11.09%.
Does DRI or ULTA pay a bigger dividend?
DRI pays a dividend (2.92% yield), while ULTA is a former payer with no current dividend run rate.
Is DRI or ULTA more profitable?
ULTA runs the higher net margin — DRI at 9.13% versus ULTA at 9.34%.
How have DRI and ULTA total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, DRI delivered 16.35% 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.