Genuine Parts Company (GPC) vs Ulta Beauty, Inc. (ULTA)

ULTA leads on 12 of 14 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Genuine Parts Company and Ulta Beauty, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 2, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — GPC vs ULTA

growth of $100 · last 19y
GPC +140.7%ULTA +1425.1%ULTA compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $1002011201520192023$241$1,525
GPC ULTA

GPC vs ULTA: by the numbers

  • ULTA is the larger company ($19.83B vs $18.44B market cap).
  • ULTA trades at the lower earnings multiple (17.05 vs 273.02 P/E).
  • ULTA converts more revenue to profit (9.36% vs 0.24% net margin).
  • ULTA grew revenue faster over the past five years (12.93% vs 7.87% CAGR).
  • GPC pays a dividend (3.62% yield) while ULTA does not currently pay one.

Which is better, GPC or ULTA?

Metric tally: GPC 2 · ULTA 12

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueULTA(lower P/E)
GrowthULTA(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityULTA(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricGPCULTA
P/E ratio273.0217.05
Forward P/E14.25
P/S ratio0.661.57
P/B ratio3.627.75
PEG ratio22.87
EV / EBITDA13.6311.63
FCF yield3.38%5.24%

Profitability

MetricGPCULTA
Gross margin36.17%39.33%
Operating margin4.42%12.54%
Net margin0.24%9.36%
ROE1.34%46.06%
ROIC9.87%22.76%

Dividends

MetricGPCULTA
Dividend yield3.62%
Payout ratio904.26%

Growth (annualized)

MetricGPCULTA
Revenue CAGR (5Y)7.87%12.93%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-30.74%52.49%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-23.49%0.55%
Total return CAGR (5Y)1.09%5.23%

Frequently asked

Which is better, GPC or ULTA?
It depends on your goal. value: ULTA (lower P/E); growth: ULTA (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: ULTA (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, ULTA leads 12 to 2.
Is GPC or ULTA cheaper?
On trailing earnings, ULTA is cheaper: GPC trades at a 273.02 P/E and ULTA at 17.05.
Which has grown faster, GPC or ULTA?
Over the past five years, ULTA grew revenue faster — GPC at a 7.87% CAGR versus ULTA at 12.93%.
Does GPC or ULTA pay a bigger dividend?
GPC pays a dividend (3.62% yield) while ULTA does not currently pay one.
Is GPC or ULTA more profitable?
ULTA runs the higher net margin — GPC at 0.24% versus ULTA at 9.36%.
Which has been the better investment, GPC or ULTA?
Over the past 10-year, ULTA delivered the higher annualized total return — GPC at 4.42% versus ULTA at 6.42%. 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 July 2, 2026.