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).

Compare

Total return — DRI vs ULTA

growth of $100 · last 19y
DRI +450.8%ULTA +1429.6%ULTA compounded faster
05001k2k2k3kStart $1002011201520192023$551$1,530
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 9

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueULTA(lower P/E)
QualityULTA(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricDRIULTA
P/E ratio22.5917.10
Forward P/E18.7414.28
P/S ratio1.951.58
P/B ratio11.847.77
PEG ratio5.4422.87
EV / EBITDA15.8211.73
FCF yield6.29%5.23%

Profitability

MetricDRIULTA
Gross margin44.03%39.33%
Operating margin11.62%12.54%
Net margin8.66%9.36%
ROE52.55%46.06%
ROIC11.40%22.76%

Dividends

MetricDRIULTA
Dividend yield2.81%
Payout ratio67.19%

Growth (annualized)

MetricDRIULTA
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.

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.