International Paper Company (IP) vs Ulta Beauty, Inc. (ULTA)

ULTA leads on 11 of 13 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of International Paper Company and Ulta Beauty, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — IP vs ULTA

growth of $100 · last 19y
IP +6.3%ULTA +1361.7%ULTA compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $1002011201520192023$106$1,462
IP ULTA

IP vs ULTA: by the numbers

  • ULTA is the larger company ($20.11B vs $19.14B market cap).
  • ULTA is profitable (9.36% net margin) while IP runs a net loss (-13.42%).
  • ULTA grew revenue faster over the past five years (12.93% vs 4.72% CAGR).
  • IP pays a dividend (5.12% yield) while ULTA does not currently pay one.

Which is better, IP or ULTA?

Metric tally: IP 2 · ULTA 11

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

GrowthULTA(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityULTA(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricIPULTA
P/E ratio17.53
Forward P/E25.6614.65
P/S ratio0.771.62
P/B ratio1.307.97
PEG ratio22.87
EV / EBITDA12.53
FCF yield2.88%5.10%

Profitability

MetricIPULTA
Gross margin27.83%39.33%
Operating margin-10.46%12.54%
Net margin-13.42%9.36%
ROE-22.63%46.06%
ROIC-7.64%22.76%

Dividends

MetricIPULTA
Dividend yield5.12%

Growth (annualized)

MetricIPULTA
Revenue CAGR (5Y)4.72%12.93%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-12.39%52.49%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-25.27%0.55%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-5.64%6.68%

Frequently asked

Which is better, IP or ULTA?
It depends on your goal. growth: ULTA (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: ULTA (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, ULTA leads 11 to 2.
Which has grown faster, IP or ULTA?
Over the past five years, ULTA grew revenue faster — IP at a 4.72% CAGR versus ULTA at 12.93%.
Does IP or ULTA pay a bigger dividend?
IP pays a dividend (5.12% yield) while ULTA does not currently pay one.
Is IP or ULTA more profitable?
ULTA runs the higher net margin — IP at -13.42% versus ULTA at 9.36%.
Which has been the better investment, IP or ULTA?
Over the past 10-year, ULTA delivered the higher annualized total return — IP at 3.10% versus ULTA at 6.90%. 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 13, 2026.