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 September 10, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnSW vs ULTA

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
SW +23.0% (+2.1%/yr)ULTA +123.5% (+8.4%/yr)ULTA compounded faster over this window
50100150200250300Start $10020182020202220242026$123$224
SW ULTA

SW vs ULTA: by the numbers

  • ULTA is the larger company ($23.51B vs $22.67B market cap).
  • ULTA trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (19.90 vs 45.98 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • ULTA converts more revenue to profit (9.34% vs 1.61% net margin).
  • SW grew revenue faster over the past five years (23.17% vs 11.09% CAGR).
  • SW pays a dividend (4.24% yield), while ULTA is a former payer with no current dividend run rate.

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricSWULTA
P/E ratio45.9819.90
Forward P/EN/A18.86
P/S ratio0.751.81
P/B ratio1.268.89
EV / EBITDA8.4313.28
FCF yield4.48%4.54%

Profitability

MetricSWULTA
Gross margin17.98%39.32%
Operating margin5.42%12.56%
Net margin1.61%9.34%
ROE2.70%45.77%
ROIC2.90%23.11%

Dividends

MetricSWULTA
Dividend yield4.24%N/A
Payout ratio190.18%N/A

Growth (annualized)

MetricSWULTA
Revenue CAGR (5Y)23.17%11.09%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-16.43%52.46%
FCF CAGR (5Y)1.73%0.06%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-0.19%7.24%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, SW or ULTA?
ULTA has the lower trailing P/E: SW trades at 45.98 and ULTA at 19.90. 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 11.09%.
Does SW or ULTA pay a bigger dividend?
SW pays a dividend (4.24% 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 9.34%.
How have SW and ULTA total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, SW delivered 2.59% and ULTA delivered 8.54% 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 September 10, 2026.