Lowe's Companies, Inc. (LOW) vs Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCL)

A side-by-side comparison of Lowe's Companies, Inc. and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 20, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnLOW vs RCL

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
LOW +243.4% (+13.1%/yr)RCL +372.9% (+16.8%/yr)RCL compounded faster over this window
0200400600Start $10020182020202220242026$343$473
LOW RCL

LOW vs RCL: by the numbers

  • LOW is the larger company ($123.75B vs $80.61B market cap).
  • RCL converts more revenue to profit (23.56% vs 7.34% net margin).
  • RCL grew revenue faster over the past five years (188.60% vs -0.90% CAGR).
  • LOW pays the higher dividend yield (2.20% vs 1.66%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricLOWRCL
P/E ratio18.6018.58
Forward P/E17.9516.92
P/S ratio1.364.34
P/B ratioN/A7.93
EV / EBITDA10.0015.23
FCF yield5.68%1.66%

Profitability

MetricLOWRCL
Gross margin34.08%46.64%
Operating margin11.38%27.32%
Net margin7.34%23.56%
ROE-67.10%43.01%
ROIC20.62%14.59%

Dividends

MetricLOWRCL
Dividend yield2.20%1.66%
Payout ratio40.86%31.79%

Growth (annualized)

MetricLOWRCL
Revenue CAGR (5Y)-0.90%188.60%
EPS CAGR (5Y)8.85%9.81%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-3.74%11.57%
Total return CAGR (5Y)3.65%32.23%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, LOW or RCL?
RCL has the lower trailing P/E: LOW trades at 18.60 and RCL at 18.58. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, LOW or RCL?
Over the past five years, RCL grew revenue faster — LOW at a -0.90% CAGR versus RCL at 188.60%.
Does LOW or RCL pay a bigger dividend?
LOW yields 2.20% and RCL yields 1.66% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is LOW or RCL more profitable?
RCL runs the higher net margin — LOW at 7.34% versus RCL at 23.56%.
How have LOW and RCL total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, LOW delivered 13.05% and RCL delivered 17.17% 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 20, 2026.