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

RCL leads on 13 of 16 compared metrics.

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 June 25, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — HLT vs RCL

growth of $100 · last 13y
HLT +678.3%RCL +638.5%HLT compounded faster
0200400600800Start $1002016201920222025$778$738
HLT RCL

HLT vs RCL: by the numbers

  • RCL is the larger company ($86.08B vs $78.15B market cap).
  • RCL trades at the lower earnings multiple (19.58 vs 52.41 P/E).
  • RCL converts more revenue to profit (24.39% vs 12.56% net margin).
  • RCL grew revenue faster over the past five years (142.80% vs 30.37% CAGR).
  • RCL pays the higher dividend yield (1.56% vs 0.17%).

Which is better, HLT or RCL?

Metric tally: HLT 3 · RCL 13

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueRCL(lower P/E)
GrowthRCL(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeRCL(higher dividend yield)
QualityRCL(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricHLTRCL
P/E ratio52.4119.58
Forward P/E33.0616.09
P/S ratio6.494.73
P/B ratio8.87
PEG ratio4.240.41
EV / EBITDA30.6514.98
FCF yield2.71%1.58%

Profitability

MetricHLTRCL
Gross margin44.29%47.23%
Operating margin23.08%27.88%
Net margin12.56%24.39%
ROE-27.04%45.71%
ROIC11.29%14.90%

Dividends

MetricHLTRCL
Dividend yield0.17%1.56%
Payout ratio9.71%31.79%

Growth (annualized)

MetricHLTRCL
Revenue CAGR (5Y)30.37%142.80%
EPS CAGR (5Y)12.36%9.81%
FCF CAGR (5Y)45.28%11.57%
Total return CAGR (5Y)22.82%30.58%

Frequently asked

Which is better, HLT or RCL?
It depends on your goal. value: RCL (lower P/E); growth: RCL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: RCL (higher dividend yield); quality: RCL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, RCL leads 13 to 3.
Is HLT or RCL cheaper?
On trailing earnings, RCL is cheaper: HLT trades at a 52.41 P/E and RCL at 19.58.
Which has grown faster, HLT or RCL?
Over the past five years, RCL grew revenue faster — HLT at a 30.37% CAGR versus RCL at 142.80%.
Does HLT or RCL pay a bigger dividend?
HLT yields 0.17% 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 12.56% versus RCL at 24.39%.
Which has been the better investment, HLT or RCL?
Over the past 10-year, HLT delivered the higher annualized total return — HLT at 23.13% versus RCL at 17.83%. 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 June 25, 2026.