Murphy USA (MUSA) vs Ulta Beauty (ULTA)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Murphy USA (MUSA) has outperformed Ulta Beauty (ULTA) over the past year, gaining 38.4% versus a loss of 0.3%. Over five years, MUSA leads with a +212.4% price change compared with +39.1% for ULTA. Ulta Beauty is the larger company by market cap ($24.06 billion vs $9.88 billion), about 2.4 times the size.
On valuation, Murphy USA trades at a lower forward P/E (17.5x vs 17.5x for Ulta Beauty). Murphy USA pays a dividend yielding 0.45%, 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 2.4%.
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 | MUSA | ULTA |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $537.50 | $562.72 |
| Market cap | $9.88B | $24.06B |
| 1-day change | +3.72% | -0.26% |
| YTD return | +28.42% | -6.74% |
| 1-year return | +38.39% | -0.28% |
| 5-year return | +212.39% | +39.06% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 16.41 | 20.51 |
| Forward P/E | 17.52 | 17.54 |
| EPS (TTM) | $32.76 | $27.44 |
| Dividend yield | 0.45% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $2.43 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $19.38B | $12.39B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -4.25% | +9.71% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $470.60M | $1.15B |
| Gross margin | — | 39.10% |
| Operating margin | 3.71% | 12.37% |
| Net margin | 2.43% | 9.31% |
| 52-week high | $636.05 | $714.97 |
| 52-week low | $349.83 | $443.60 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -15.49% | -21.29% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +14.94% | +12.21% |
| Average volume | 263.31K | 577.12K |
| Shares outstanding | 18.38M | 42.76M |
| Employees | 5,900 | 21,382 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Retail-Auto Dealers and Gas Stations | 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
- Ulta Beauty is about 2.4 times larger than Murphy USA by market value ($24.06B vs $9.88B).
- MUSA has outperformed ULTA by 38.7 percentage points over the past year.
- Ulta Beauty is more profitable, keeping 9.3 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 2.4 cents for Murphy USA.
- Ulta Beauty grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+9.71% vs -4.25%).
About Murphy USA
MUSA stock →Murphy USA Inc., together with subsidiaries, engages in marketing of retail motor fuel products and convenience merchandise. The company operates retail stores under the Murphy USA, Murphy Express, and QuickChek brands, as well as operates non-fuel convenience stores.
Consumer Discretionary · Retail-Auto Dealers and Gas Stations · 5,900 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
MUSA vs ULTA FAQ
Which is bigger, Murphy USA or Ulta Beauty?
Ulta Beauty (ULTA) is larger, with a market capitalization of $24.06B compared with $9.88B for Murphy USA (MUSA).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, MUSA or ULTA?
MUSA returned +38.39% over the past 12 months, compared with -0.28% for ULTA (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, MUSA or ULTA?
MUSA has the lower trailing P/E at 16.4, versus 20.5 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, Murphy USA or Ulta Beauty?
Murphy USA pays a dividend yielding 0.45%, while Ulta Beauty does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Murphy USA and Ulta Beauty in the same industry?
Both are in the Consumer Discretionary sector, but in different industries: Retail-Auto Dealers and Gas Stations for Murphy USA and Other Specialty Stores for Ulta Beauty.