Darden Restaurants, Inc. (DRI) vs Ulta Beauty, Inc. (ULTA)
ULTA leads on 9 of 15 compared metrics.
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 June 19, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
DRI
Darden Restaurants, Inc.
$213.45Consumer Cyclical
ULTA
Ulta Beauty, Inc.
$456.13Consumer Cyclical
Total return — DRI vs ULTA
growth of $100 · last 19yDRI +450.8%ULTA +1429.6%ULTA compounded faster
DRI ULTA
DRI vs ULTA: by the numbers
- •DRI is the larger company ($24.45B vs $19.61B market cap).
- •ULTA trades at the lower earnings multiple (17.10 vs 22.59 P/E).
- •ULTA converts more revenue to profit (9.36% vs 8.66% net margin).
- •ULTA grew revenue faster over the past five years (12.93% vs 12.79% CAGR).
- •DRI pays a dividend (2.81% yield) while ULTA does not currently pay one.
Which is better, DRI or ULTA?
Metric tally: DRI 6 · ULTA 9It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueULTA(lower P/E)
QualityULTA(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | DRI | ULTA |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 22.59 | 17.10● |
| Forward P/E | 18.74 | 14.28● |
| P/S ratio | 1.95 | 1.58● |
| P/B ratio | 11.84 | 7.77● |
| PEG ratio | 5.44● | 22.87 |
| EV / EBITDA | 15.82 | 11.73● |
| FCF yield | 6.29%● | 5.23% |
Profitability
| Metric | DRI | ULTA |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 44.03%● | 39.33% |
| Operating margin | 11.62% | 12.54%● |
| Net margin | 8.66% | 9.36%● |
| ROE | 52.55%● | 46.06% |
| ROIC | 11.40% | 22.76%● |
Dividends
| Metric | DRI | ULTA |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.81% | — |
| Payout ratio | 67.19% | — |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | DRI | ULTA |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 12.79% | 12.93% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 7.54% | 52.49%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 31.89%● | 0.55% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 14.11%● | 6.87% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, DRI or ULTA?
- It depends on your goal. value: ULTA (lower P/E); quality: ULTA (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, ULTA leads 9 to 6.
- Is DRI or ULTA cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, ULTA is cheaper: DRI trades at a 22.59 P/E and ULTA at 17.10.
- Which has grown faster, DRI or ULTA?
- Over the past five years, ULTA grew revenue faster — DRI at a 12.79% CAGR versus ULTA at 12.93%.
- Does DRI or ULTA pay a bigger dividend?
- DRI pays a dividend (2.81% yield) while ULTA does not currently pay one.
- Is DRI or ULTA more profitable?
- ULTA runs the higher net margin — DRI at 8.66% versus ULTA at 9.36%.
- Which has been the better investment, DRI or ULTA?
- Over the past 10-year, DRI delivered the higher annualized total return — DRI at 15.48% versus ULTA at 6.72%. 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 June 19, 2026.