Smurfit Westrock plc (SW) vs Ulta Beauty, Inc. (ULTA)

A side-by-side comparison of Smurfit Westrock plc and Ulta Beauty, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 29, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnSW vs ULTA

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 18y
SW +835.8%ULTA +3512.9%ULTA compounded faster
01k2k3k4k5kStart $100201120142017202020232026$936$3,613
SW ULTA

SW vs ULTA: by the numbers

  • SW is the larger company ($25.31B vs $21.84B market cap).
  • ULTA trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (19.04 vs 70.91 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • ULTA converts more revenue to profit (9.36% vs 1.61% net margin).
  • SW grew revenue faster over the past five years (23.17% vs 12.93% CAGR).
  • SW pays a dividend (3.48% yield), while ULTA is a former payer with no current dividend run rate.

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricSWULTA
P/E ratio70.9119.04
Forward P/E21.6919.78
P/S ratio0.911.76
P/B ratio1.528.65
PEG ratio0.4322.87
EV / EBITDA9.1712.86
FCF yield3.73%4.69%

Profitability

MetricSWULTA
Gross margin17.98%39.33%
Operating margin5.42%12.54%
Net margin1.61%9.36%
ROE2.70%46.06%
ROIC3.59%22.76%

Dividends

MetricSWULTA
Dividend yield3.48%N/A
Payout ratio131.81%N/A

Growth (annualized)

MetricSWULTA
Revenue CAGR (5Y)23.17%12.93%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-16.43%52.49%
FCF CAGR (5Y)1.73%10.16%
Total return CAGR (5Y)4.22%8.71%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, SW or ULTA?
ULTA has the lower trailing P/E: SW trades at 70.91 and ULTA at 19.04. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, SW or ULTA?
Over the past five years, SW grew revenue faster — SW at a 23.17% CAGR versus ULTA at 12.93%.
Does SW or ULTA pay a bigger dividend?
SW pays a dividend (3.48% yield), while ULTA is a former payer with no current dividend run rate.
Is SW or ULTA more profitable?
ULTA runs the higher net margin — SW at 1.61% versus ULTA at 9.36%.
How have SW and ULTA total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, SW delivered 5.29% and ULTA delivered 6.88% annualized total return. 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 29, 2026.