Ulta Beauty, Inc. (ULTA) vs Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (WSM)

A side-by-side comparison of Ulta Beauty, Inc. and Williams-Sonoma, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 11, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnULTA vs WSM

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
ULTA +105.6% (+7.5%/yr)WSM +1114.1% (+28.4%/yr)WSM compounded faster over this window
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $10020182020202220242026$206$1,214
ULTA WSM

ULTA vs WSM: by the numbers

  • WSM is the larger company ($28.99B vs $23.15B market cap).
  • ULTA trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (20.56 vs 28.06 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • WSM converts more revenue to profit (13.81% vs 9.36% net margin).
  • ULTA grew revenue faster over the past five years (12.93% vs -1.36% CAGR).
  • WSM pays a dividend (1.09% yield), while ULTA is a former payer with no current dividend run rate.

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricULTAWSM
P/E ratio20.5628.06
Forward P/E21.3528.78
P/S ratio1.903.81
P/B ratio9.3516.07
EV / EBITDA13.7917.53
FCF yield4.35%3.65%

Profitability

MetricULTAWSM
Gross margin39.33%46.06%
Operating margin12.54%17.97%
Net margin9.36%13.81%
ROE46.06%58.22%
ROIC22.76%28.83%

Dividends

MetricULTAWSM
Dividend yieldN/A1.09%
Payout ratioN/A30.58%

Growth (annualized)

MetricULTAWSM
Revenue CAGR (5Y)12.93%-1.36%
EPS CAGR (5Y)52.49%15.25%
FCF CAGR (5Y)10.16%-3.21%
Total return CAGR (5Y)8.69%27.49%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, ULTA or WSM?
ULTA has the lower trailing P/E: ULTA trades at 20.56 and WSM at 28.06. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, ULTA or WSM?
Over the past five years, ULTA grew revenue faster — ULTA at a 12.93% CAGR versus WSM at -1.36%.
Does ULTA or WSM pay a bigger dividend?
WSM pays a dividend (1.09% yield), while ULTA is a former payer with no current dividend run rate.
Is ULTA or WSM more profitable?
WSM runs the higher net margin — ULTA at 9.36% versus WSM at 13.81%.
How have ULTA and WSM total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, ULTA delivered 7.63% and WSM delivered 28.22% 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 August 11, 2026.