Specialty Business Services
Compare Stocks
2 / 10Stock Comparison
ULS vs BV
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Specialty Business Services
ULS vs BV — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Specialty Business Services | Specialty Business Services |
| Market Cap | $21.05B | $1.11B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $3.11B | $2.73B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $349M | $38M |
| Gross Margin | 49.6% | 22.0% |
| Operating Margin | 17.8% | 4.5% |
| Forward P/E | 48.0x | 16.0x |
| Total Debt | $832M | $913M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $295M | $75M |
ULS vs BV — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | Apr 24 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| UL Solutions Inc. (ULS) | 100 | 298.4 | +198.4% |
| BrightView Holdings… (BV) | 100 | 105.0 | +5.0% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: ULS vs BV
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
ULS carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 6.4%, EPS growth -1.2%, 3Y rev CAGR 6.6%
- 202.7% 10Y total return vs BV's -44.8%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.73, Low D/E 64.3%, current ratio 1.32x
BV is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability.
- Dividend streak 2 yrs, beta 1.13, yield 3.1%
- Lower P/E (16.0x vs 48.0x)
- 3.1% yield, 2-year raise streak, vs ULS's 0.5%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 6.4% revenue growth vs BV's -3.4% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (16.0x vs 48.0x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 11.2% margin vs BV's 1.4% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.73 vs BV's 1.13 | |
| Dividends | 3.1% yield, 2-year raise streak, vs ULS's 0.5% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +75.6% vs BV's -17.8% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 11.9% ROA vs BV's 1.1%, ROIC 23.1% vs 3.9% |
ULS vs BV — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
ULS vs BV — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
ULS leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
ULS and BV operate at a comparable scale, with $3.1B and $2.7B in trailing revenue. ULS is the more profitable business, keeping 11.2% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to BV's 1.4%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $3.1B | $2.7B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $742M | $265M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $349M | $38M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $450M | $6M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +49.6% | +22.0% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +17.8% | +4.5% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +11.2% | +1.4% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +14.5% | +0.2% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +7.5% | +6.1% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +36.4% | -2.2% |
Valuation Metrics
BV leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 20.7x trailing earnings, BV trades at a 68% valuation discount to ULS's 65.5x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, BV's 6.4x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than ULS's 28.5x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $21.1B | $1.1B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $21.6B | $2.0B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 65.46x | 20.72x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 47.96x | 16.03x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 9.85x | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 28.48x | 6.37x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 6.90x | 0.42x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 16.43x | 0.64x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 52.24x | 29.59x |
Profitability & Efficiency
ULS leads this category, winning 8 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
ULS delivers a 28.1% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $28 in annual profit, vs $2 for BV. BV carries lower financial leverage with a 0.51x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to ULS's 0.64x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), ULS scores 7/9 vs BV's 4/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +28.1% | +2.3% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +11.9% | +1.1% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +23.1% | +3.9% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +24.8% | +4.7% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 7 | 4 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.64x | 0.51x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $537M | $839M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $295M | $75M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $832M | $913M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 18.89x | 2.00x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
ULS leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in ULS five years ago would be worth $30,275 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $6,500 for BV. Over the past 12 months, ULS leads with a +75.6% total return vs BV's -17.8%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors ULS at 44.7% vs BV's 21.8% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +29.6% | -6.3% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +75.6% | -17.8% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +202.7% | +80.6% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +202.7% | -35.0% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +202.7% | -44.8% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +44.7% | +21.8% |
Risk & Volatility
ULS leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
ULS is the less volatile stock with a 0.73 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than BV's 1.13 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. ULS currently trades 100.0% from its 52-week high vs BV's 69.0% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.73x | 1.13x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $104.79 | $17.11 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $59.40 | $11.06 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +100.0% | +69.0% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 56.5 | 39.1 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 685K | 502K |
Analyst Outlook
BV leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates ULS as "Buy" and BV as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 14.6% upside for BV (target: $14) vs -14.6% for ULS (target: $89). For income investors, BV offers the higher dividend yield at 3.10% vs ULS's 0.49%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $89.40 | $13.53 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 8 | 13 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +0.5% | +3.1% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 1 | 2 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.51 | $0.37 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +2.2% |
ULS leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). BV leads in 2 (Valuation Metrics, Analyst Outlook).
ULS vs BV: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is ULS or BV a better buy right now?
For growth investors, UL Solutions Inc.
(ULS) is the stronger pick with 6. 4% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -3. 4% for BrightView Holdings, Inc. (BV). BrightView Holdings, Inc. (BV) offers the better valuation at 20. 7x trailing P/E (16. 0x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate UL Solutions Inc. (ULS) a "Buy" — based on 8 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — ULS or BV?
On trailing P/E, BrightView Holdings, Inc.
(BV) is the cheapest at 20. 7x versus UL Solutions Inc. at 65. 5x. On forward P/E, BrightView Holdings, Inc. is actually cheaper at 16. 0x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — ULS or BV?
Over the past 5 years, UL Solutions Inc.
(ULS) delivered a total return of +202. 7%, compared to -35. 0% for BrightView Holdings, Inc. (BV). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: ULS returned +202. 7% versus BV's -44. 8%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — ULS or BV?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), UL Solutions Inc.
(ULS) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 73β versus BrightView Holdings, Inc. 's 1. 13β — meaning BV is approximately 56% more volatile than ULS relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, BrightView Holdings, Inc. (BV) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 51% versus 64% for UL Solutions Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — ULS or BV?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), UL Solutions Inc.
(ULS) is pulling ahead at 6. 4% versus -3. 4% for BrightView Holdings, Inc. (BV). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: BrightView Holdings, Inc. grew EPS 185. 0% year-over-year, compared to -1. 2% for UL Solutions Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, ULS leads at 6. 6% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — ULS or BV?
UL Solutions Inc.
(ULS) is the more profitable company, earning 10. 6% net margin versus 2. 1% for BrightView Holdings, Inc. — meaning it keeps 10. 6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: ULS leads at 17. 1% versus 5. 0% for BV. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — ULS leads at 49. 1%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is ULS or BV more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, BrightView Holdings, Inc.
(BV) trades at 16. 0x forward P/E versus 48. 0x for UL Solutions Inc. — 31. 9x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for BV: 14. 6% to $13. 53.
08Which pays a better dividend — ULS or BV?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
BrightView Holdings, Inc. (BV) offers the highest yield at 3. 1%, versus 0. 5% for UL Solutions Inc. (ULS).
09Is ULS or BV better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, UL Solutions Inc.
(ULS) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 73), +202. 7% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (ULS: +202. 7%, BV: -44. 8%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between ULS and BV?
Both stocks operate in the Industrials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: ULS is a mid-cap quality compounder stock; BV is a small-cap income-oriented stock. BV pays a dividend while ULS does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
Find Stocks Like These
Explore pre-built screens for each stock's profile, or build a custom screen to find stocks that outperform both.
You Might Also Compare
Based on how these companies actually compete and overlap — not just which sector they're filed under.