Booking Holdings Inc. (BKNG) vs Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCL)
BKNG and RCL are evenly matched — 8 metrics each of 16.
A side-by-side comparison of Booking Holdings Inc. and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 25, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
BKNG
Booking Holdings Inc.
$181.25Consumer Cyclical
RCL
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.
$320.95Consumer Cyclical
Total return — BKNG vs RCL
growth of $100 · last 27yBKNG +994.5%RCL +757.2%BKNG compounded faster
BKNG RCL
BKNG vs RCL: by the numbers
- •BKNG is the larger company ($140.45B vs $86.08B market cap).
- •RCL trades at the lower earnings multiple (19.58 vs 23.90 P/E).
- •RCL converts more revenue to profit (24.39% vs 22.23% net margin).
- •RCL grew revenue faster over the past five years (142.80% vs 37.43% CAGR).
- •RCL pays the higher dividend yield (1.56% vs 0.89%).
Which is better, BKNG or RCL?
Metric tally: BKNG 8 · RCL 8It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueRCL(lower P/E)
GrowthRCL(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeRCL(higher dividend yield)
QualityBKNG(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | BKNG | RCL |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 23.90 | 19.58● |
| Forward P/E | 14.70● | 16.09 |
| P/S ratio | 5.20 | 4.73● |
| P/B ratio | — | 8.87 |
| PEG ratio | 0.15● | 0.41 |
| EV / EBITDA | 15.43 | 14.98● |
| FCF yield | 6.28%● | 1.58% |
Profitability
| Metric | BKNG | RCL |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 100.00%● | 47.23% |
| Operating margin | 34.28%● | 27.88% |
| Net margin | 22.23% | 24.39%● |
| ROE | -96.88% | 45.71%● |
| ROIC | 50.82%● | 14.90% |
Dividends
| Metric | BKNG | RCL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.89% | 1.56%● |
| Payout ratio | 24.14% | 31.79% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | BKNG | RCL |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 37.43% | 142.80%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 158.62%● | 9.81% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 39.83%● | 11.57% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 15.55% | 30.58%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, BKNG or RCL?
- It depends on your goal. value: RCL (lower P/E); growth: RCL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: RCL (higher dividend yield); quality: BKNG (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, they are evenly matched.
- Is BKNG or RCL cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, RCL is cheaper: BKNG trades at a 23.90 P/E and RCL at 19.58.
- Which has grown faster, BKNG or RCL?
- Over the past five years, RCL grew revenue faster — BKNG at a 37.43% CAGR versus RCL at 142.80%.
- Does BKNG or RCL pay a bigger dividend?
- BKNG yields 0.89% and RCL yields 1.56% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is BKNG or RCL more profitable?
- RCL runs the higher net margin — BKNG at 22.23% versus RCL at 24.39%.
- Which has been the better investment, BKNG or RCL?
- Over the past 10-year, RCL delivered the higher annualized total return — BKNG at 14.15% versus RCL at 17.83%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Booking P/E ratioRoyal Caribbean Cruises P/E ratioBooking dividend yieldRoyal Caribbean Cruises dividend yieldBooking ROERoyal Caribbean Cruises ROEBooking operating marginRoyal Caribbean Cruises operating marginBooking revenue growthRoyal Caribbean Cruises revenue growthBooking free cash flowRoyal Caribbean Cruises free cash flow
Booking & Royal Caribbean Cruises appear in these rankings
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 June 25, 2026.