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.

Compare

Total returnDRI vs ULTA

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 19y
DRI +845.9%ULTA +1639.2%ULTA compounded faster
05001k2k2k3kStart $1002011201520192023$946$1,739
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

MetricDRIULTA
P/E ratio19.5919.22
Forward P/E19.1619.96
P/S ratio1.781.77
P/B ratio10.628.74
PEG ratio1.1322.87
EV / EBITDA13.6612.97
FCF yield4.77%4.65%

Profitability

MetricDRIULTA
Gross margin69.43%39.33%
Operating margin11.98%12.54%
Net margin9.13%9.36%
ROE54.66%46.06%
ROIC13.11%22.76%

Dividends

MetricDRIULTA
Dividend yield3.01%N/A
Payout ratio58.51%N/A

Growth (annualized)

MetricDRIULTA
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.

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.