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

RCL leads on 12 of 16 compared metrics.

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 June 26, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — MELI vs RCL

growth of $100 · last 19y
MELI +5642.0%RCL +699.2%MELI compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $1002011201520192023$5,742$799
MELI RCL

MELI vs RCL: by the numbers

  • RCL is the larger company ($86.53B vs $82.09B market cap).
  • RCL trades at the lower earnings multiple (19.69 vs 42.75 P/E).
  • RCL converts more revenue to profit (24.39% vs 6.04% net margin).
  • RCL grew revenue faster over the past five years (142.80% vs 46.59% CAGR).
  • RCL pays a dividend (1.55% yield) while MELI does not currently pay one.

Which is better, MELI or RCL?

Metric tally: MELI 4 · RCL 12

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

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

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricMELIRCL
P/E ratio42.7519.69
Forward P/E28.6216.17
P/S ratio2.584.76
P/B ratio11.278.91
PEG ratio11.340.41
EV / EBITDA26.8015.05
FCF yield13.04%1.57%

Profitability

MetricMELIRCL
Gross margin43.86%47.23%
Operating margin9.59%27.88%
Net margin6.04%24.39%
ROE26.37%45.71%
ROIC11.78%14.90%

Dividends

MetricMELIRCL
Dividend yield1.55%
Payout ratio31.79%

Growth (annualized)

MetricMELIRCL
Revenue CAGR (5Y)46.59%142.80%
EPS CAGR (5Y)83.23%9.81%
FCF CAGR (5Y)73.42%11.57%
Total return CAGR (5Y)0.99%30.05%

Frequently asked

Which is better, MELI or RCL?
It depends on your goal. value: RCL (lower P/E); growth: RCL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: RCL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, RCL leads 12 to 4.
Is MELI or RCL cheaper?
On trailing earnings, RCL is cheaper: MELI trades at a 42.75 P/E and RCL at 19.69.
Which has grown faster, MELI or RCL?
Over the past five years, RCL grew revenue faster — MELI at a 46.59% CAGR versus RCL at 142.80%.
Does MELI or RCL pay a bigger dividend?
RCL pays a dividend (1.55% yield) while MELI does not currently pay one.
Is MELI or RCL more profitable?
RCL runs the higher net margin — MELI at 6.04% versus RCL at 24.39%.
Which has been the better investment, MELI or RCL?
Over the past 10-year, MELI delivered the higher annualized total return — MELI at 28.55% versus RCL at 17.89%. 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 26, 2026.