Packaging Corporation of America (PKG) vs Ulta Beauty, Inc. (ULTA)
A side-by-side comparison of Packaging Corporation of America and Ulta Beauty, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 8, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
PKG
Packaging Corporation of America
$256.04Consumer CyclicalAt close: Aug 7, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
ULTA
Ulta Beauty, Inc.
$565.15Consumer CyclicalAt close: Aug 7, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
Total return — PKG vs ULTA
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 19yPKG +1421.4%ULTA +1816.6%ULTA compounded faster
PKG ULTA
PKG vs ULTA: by the numbers
- •ULTA is the larger company ($24.30B vs $22.81B market cap).
- •ULTA trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (21.18 vs 33.25 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •ULTA converts more revenue to profit (9.36% vs 7.25% net margin).
- •ULTA grew revenue faster over the past five years (12.93% vs 6.09% CAGR).
- •PKG pays a dividend (2.05% yield), while ULTA is a former payer with no current dividend run rate.
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | PKG | ULTA |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 33.25 | 21.18 |
| Forward P/E | 24.42 | 22.00 |
| P/S ratio | 2.39 | 1.96 |
| P/B ratio | 4.97 | 9.63 |
| PEG ratio | 2.74 | 22.87 |
| EV / EBITDA | 13.47 | 14.17 |
| FCF yield | 3.08% | 4.22% |
Profitability
| Metric | PKG | ULTA |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 20.11% | 39.33% |
| Operating margin | 12.72% | 12.54% |
| Net margin | 7.25% | 9.36% |
| ROE | 15.06% | 46.06% |
| ROIC | 9.44% | 22.76% |
Dividends
| Metric | PKG | ULTA |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.05% | N/A |
| Payout ratio | 60.98% | N/A |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | PKG | ULTA |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 6.09% | 12.93% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 12.12% | 52.49% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 4.94% | 10.16% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 16.10% | 9.87% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, PKG or ULTA?
- ULTA has the lower trailing P/E: PKG trades at 33.25 and ULTA at 21.18. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, PKG or ULTA?
- Over the past five years, ULTA grew revenue faster — PKG at a 6.09% CAGR versus ULTA at 12.93%.
- Does PKG or ULTA pay a bigger dividend?
- PKG pays a dividend (2.05% yield), while ULTA is a former payer with no current dividend run rate.
- Is PKG or ULTA more profitable?
- ULTA runs the higher net margin — PKG at 7.25% versus ULTA at 9.36%.
- How have PKG and ULTA total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, PKG delivered 16.45% and ULTA delivered 7.97% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Packaging Corporation of America P/E ratioUlta Beauty P/E ratioPackaging Corporation of America dividend yieldUlta Beauty dividend yieldPackaging Corporation of America ROEUlta Beauty ROEPackaging Corporation of America operating marginUlta Beauty operating marginPackaging Corporation of America revenue growthUlta Beauty revenue growthPackaging Corporation of America free cash flowUlta Beauty free cash flow
Packaging Corporation of America & 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 August 8, 2026.