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 August 3, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
DRI
Darden Restaurants, Inc.
$209.39Consumer CyclicalDelayed quote: Aug 3, 2026, 10:15 AM EDT
ULTA
Ulta Beauty, Inc.
$529.04Consumer CyclicalDelayed quote: Aug 3, 2026, 10:10 AM EDT
Total return — DRI vs ULTA
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 19yDRI +845.9%ULTA +1639.2%ULTA compounded faster
DRI ULTA
DRI vs ULTA: by the numbers
- •DRI is the larger company ($23.98B vs $22.74B market cap).
- •ULTA trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (19.22 vs 19.59 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •ULTA converts more revenue to profit (9.36% vs 9.13% net margin).
- •DRI pays a dividend (3.01% yield), while ULTA is a former payer with no current dividend run rate.
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | DRI | ULTA |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 19.59 | 19.22 |
| Forward P/E | 19.16 | 19.96 |
| P/S ratio | 1.78 | 1.77 |
| P/B ratio | 10.62 | 8.74 |
| PEG ratio | 1.13 | 22.87 |
| EV / EBITDA | 13.66 | 12.97 |
| FCF yield | 4.77% | 4.65% |
Profitability
| Metric | DRI | ULTA |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 69.43% | 39.33% |
| Operating margin | 11.98% | 12.54% |
| Net margin | 9.13% | 9.36% |
| ROE | 54.66% | 46.06% |
| ROIC | 13.11% | 22.76% |
Dividends
| Metric | DRI | ULTA |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 3.01% | N/A |
| Payout ratio | 58.51% | N/A |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | DRI | ULTA |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 12.92% | 12.93% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 16.70% | 52.49% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 3.87% | 10.16% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 10.48% | 8.83% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, DRI or ULTA?
- ULTA has the lower trailing P/E: DRI trades at 19.59 and ULTA at 19.22. 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, ULTA grew revenue faster — DRI at a 12.92% CAGR versus ULTA at 12.93%.
- Does DRI or ULTA pay a bigger dividend?
- DRI pays a dividend (3.01% 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 9.36%.
- How have DRI and ULTA total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, DRI delivered 15.97% and ULTA delivered 6.98% 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 yieldUlta Beauty 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 August 3, 2026.