MercadoLibre, Inc. (MELI) vs Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCL)

A side-by-side comparison of MercadoLibre, Inc. and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 10, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnMELI vs RCL

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
MELI +974.0% (+26.8%/yr)RCL +435.1% (+18.3%/yr)MELI compounded faster over this window
05001k2kStart $10020182020202220242026$1,074$535
MELI RCL

MELI vs RCL: by the numbers

  • MELI is the larger company ($92.30B vs $85.82B market cap).
  • RCL trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (19.78 vs 49.54 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • RCL converts more revenue to profit (23.56% vs 5.30% net margin).
  • RCL grew revenue faster over the past five years (188.60% vs 44.82% CAGR).
  • RCL pays a dividend (1.56% yield), while MELI is a former payer with no current dividend run rate.

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricMELIRCL
P/E ratio49.5419.78
Forward P/E47.3218.02
P/S ratio2.624.62
P/B ratio11.788.44
EV / EBITDA20.0616.01
FCF yield14.06%1.66%

Profitability

MetricMELIRCL
Gross margin42.68%46.64%
Operating margin8.26%27.32%
Net margin5.30%23.56%
ROE23.78%43.01%
ROIC11.78%14.90%

Dividends

MetricMELIRCL
Dividend yieldN/A1.56%
Payout ratioN/A31.79%

Growth (annualized)

MetricMELIRCL
Revenue CAGR (5Y)44.82%188.60%
EPS CAGR (5Y)N/A9.81%
FCF CAGR (5Y)131.31%11.57%
Total return CAGR (5Y)0.72%33.04%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, MELI or RCL?
RCL has the lower trailing P/E: MELI trades at 49.54 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, MELI or RCL?
Over the past five years, RCL grew revenue faster — MELI at a 44.82% CAGR versus RCL at 188.60%.
Does MELI or RCL pay a bigger dividend?
RCL pays a dividend (1.56% yield), while MELI is a former payer with no current dividend run rate.
Is MELI or RCL more profitable?
RCL runs the higher net margin — MELI at 5.30% versus RCL at 23.56%.
How have MELI and RCL total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, MELI delivered 26.58% 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 10, 2026.