Best Buy (BBY) vs Ulta Beauty (ULTA)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Best Buy (BBY) has outperformed Ulta Beauty (ULTA) over the past year, gaining 12.4% versus a loss of 2.0%. Over five years, ULTA leads with a +34.4% price change compared with -25.6% for BBY. Ulta Beauty is the larger company by market cap ($23.32 billion vs $17.74 billion), about 1.3 times the size.
On valuation, Best Buy trades at a lower forward P/E (11.7x vs 17.0x for Ulta Beauty). Best Buy pays a dividend yielding 4.52%, while Ulta Beauty does not currently pay one. Ulta Beauty converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 9.3% versus 2.6%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | BBY | ULTA |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $84.59 | $545.48 |
| Market cap | $17.74B | $23.32B |
| 1-day change | -0.31% | -0.33% |
| YTD return | +26.39% | -9.84% |
| 1-year return | +12.44% | -2.03% |
| 5-year return | -25.56% | +34.45% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 14.07 | 19.88 |
| Forward P/E | 11.73 | 17.00 |
| EPS (TTM) | $6.01 | $27.44 |
| Dividend yield | 4.52% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $3.82 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $41.69B | $12.39B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +0.39% | +9.71% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $1.07B | $1.15B |
| Gross margin | 22.48% | 39.10% |
| Operating margin | 3.33% | 12.37% |
| Net margin | 2.56% | 9.31% |
| 52-week high | $96.53 | $714.97 |
| 52-week low | $55.10 | $443.60 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -12.37% | -23.71% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +2.79% | +15.76% |
| Average volume | 3.64M | 576.14K |
| Shares outstanding | 209.73M | 42.76M |
| Employees | 82,000 | 21,382 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Consumer Electronics/Video Chains | Other Specialty Stores |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- BBY has outperformed ULTA by 14.5 percentage points over the past year.
- Ulta Beauty trades at a higher earnings multiple (19.9x vs 14.1x trailing P/E).
- Best Buy offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (4.52% vs 0.00%).
- Ulta Beauty is more profitable, keeping 9.3 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 2.6 cents for Best Buy.
- Ulta Beauty grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+9.71% vs +0.39%).
About Best Buy
BBY stock →Best Buy Co., Inc. offers technology products and solutions in the United States, Canada, and internationally.
Consumer Discretionary · Consumer Electronics/Video Chains · 82,000 employees
About Ulta Beauty
ULTA stock →Ulta Beauty, Inc. operates as a specialty beauty retailer in the United States, Mexico, and Kuwait.
Consumer Discretionary · Other Specialty Stores · 21,382 employees
BBY vs ULTA FAQ
Which is bigger, Best Buy or Ulta Beauty?
Ulta Beauty (ULTA) is larger, with a market capitalization of $23.32B compared with $17.74B for Best Buy (BBY).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, BBY or ULTA?
BBY returned +12.44% over the past 12 months, compared with -2.03% for ULTA (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, BBY or ULTA?
BBY has the lower trailing P/E at 14.1, versus 19.9 for ULTA. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Best Buy or Ulta Beauty?
Best Buy pays a dividend yielding 4.52%, while Ulta Beauty does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Best Buy and Ulta Beauty in the same industry?
Both are in the Consumer Discretionary sector, but in different industries: Consumer Electronics/Video Chains for Best Buy and Other Specialty Stores for Ulta Beauty.