Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (HLT) vs Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCL)

A side-by-side comparison of Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 8, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnHLT vs RCL

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 13y
HLT +662.1%RCL +771.5%RCL compounded faster
02004006008001kStart $1002016201920222025$762$871
HLT RCL

HLT vs RCL: by the numbers

  • RCL is the larger company ($85.82B vs $71.48B market cap).
  • RCL trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (19.78 vs 46.64 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • RCL converts more revenue to profit (23.56% vs 12.69% net margin).
  • RCL grew revenue faster over the past five years (188.60% vs 25.41% CAGR).
  • RCL pays the higher dividend yield (1.56% vs 0.19%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricHLTRCL
P/E ratio46.6419.78
Forward P/E35.1518.02
P/S ratio5.834.62
P/B ratioN/A8.44
PEG ratio3.770.41
EV / EBITDA27.6016.01
FCF yield2.76%1.66%

Profitability

MetricHLTRCL
Gross margin44.06%46.64%
Operating margin23.35%27.32%
Net margin12.69%23.56%
ROE-27.04%43.01%
ROIC11.29%14.90%

Dividends

MetricHLTRCL
Dividend yield0.19%1.56%
Payout ratio9.71%31.79%

Growth (annualized)

MetricHLTRCL
Revenue CAGR (5Y)25.41%188.60%
EPS CAGR (5Y)12.36%9.81%
FCF CAGR (5Y)40.73%11.57%
Total return CAGR (5Y)20.50%33.04%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, HLT or RCL?
RCL has the lower trailing P/E: HLT trades at 46.64 and RCL at 19.78. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, HLT or RCL?
Over the past five years, RCL grew revenue faster — HLT at a 25.41% CAGR versus RCL at 188.60%.
Does HLT or RCL pay a bigger dividend?
HLT yields 0.19% and RCL yields 1.56% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is HLT or RCL more profitable?
RCL runs the higher net margin — HLT at 12.69% versus RCL at 23.56%.
How have HLT and RCL total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, HLT delivered 21.30% and RCL delivered 17.07% 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 8, 2026.