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.
DRI
Darden Restaurants, Inc.
$207.57Consumer CyclicalDelayed quote: Sep 17, 2026, 12:00 PM EDT
ULTA
Ulta Beauty, Inc.
$543.92Consumer CyclicalDelayed quote: Sep 17, 2026, 12:00 PM EDT
Total return — DRI vs ULTA
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yDRI +354.3% (+16.3%/yr)ULTA +123.5% (+8.4%/yr)DRI compounded faster over this window
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
| Metric | DRI | ULTA |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 19.98 | 19.80 |
| Forward P/E | 18.40 | 18.76 |
| P/S ratio | 1.80 | 1.80 |
| P/B ratio | 10.77 | 8.84 |
| EV / EBITDA | 13.81 | 13.22 |
| FCF yield | 3.20% | 4.56% |
Profitability
| Metric | DRI | ULTA |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 69.43% | 39.32% |
| Operating margin | 11.98% | 12.56% |
| Net margin | 9.13% | 9.34% |
| ROE | 54.66% | 45.77% |
| ROIC | 13.11% | 23.11% |
Dividends
| Metric | DRI | ULTA |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.92% | N/A |
| Payout ratio | 58.90% | N/A |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | DRI | ULTA |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Darden Restaurants P/E ratioUlta Beauty P/E ratioDarden Restaurants dividend yieldDarden Restaurants ROEUlta Beauty ROEDarden Restaurants operating marginUlta Beauty operating marginDarden Restaurants revenue growthUlta Beauty revenue growthDarden Restaurants free cash flowUlta Beauty free cash flow
Darden Restaurants & Ulta Beauty appear in these rankings
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.