NIKE, Inc. (NKE) vs Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCL)

RCL leads on 13 of 17 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of NIKE, 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 — NKE vs RCL

growth of $100 · last 30y
NKE +560.7%RCL +2192.5%RCL compounded faster
01k2k3kStart $100200120062011201620212026$661$2,293
NKE RCL

NKE vs RCL: by the numbers

  • RCL is the larger company ($86.08B vs $61.83B market cap).
  • RCL trades at the lower earnings multiple (19.58 vs 27.51 P/E).
  • RCL converts more revenue to profit (24.39% vs 4.84% net margin).
  • RCL grew revenue faster over the past five years (142.80% vs 3.86% CAGR).
  • NKE pays the higher dividend yield (3.90% vs 1.56%).

Which is better, NKE or RCL?

Metric tally: NKE 4 · RCL 13

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

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

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricNKERCL
P/E ratio27.5119.58
Forward P/E23.0416.09
P/S ratio1.334.73
P/B ratio4.398.87
PEG ratio4.670.41
EV / EBITDA18.0914.98
FCF yield1.69%1.58%

Profitability

MetricNKERCL
Gross margin40.81%47.23%
Operating margin6.03%27.88%
Net margin4.84%24.39%
ROE15.97%45.71%
ROIC11.57%14.90%

Dividends

MetricNKERCL
Dividend yield3.90%1.56%
Payout ratio75.12%31.79%

Growth (annualized)

MetricNKERCL
Revenue CAGR (5Y)3.86%142.80%
EPS CAGR (5Y)5.89%9.81%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-22.85%11.57%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-19.41%30.58%

Frequently asked

Which is better, NKE or RCL?
It depends on your goal. value: RCL (lower P/E); growth: RCL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: NKE (higher dividend yield); quality: RCL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, RCL leads 13 to 4.
Is NKE or RCL cheaper?
On trailing earnings, RCL is cheaper: NKE trades at a 27.51 P/E and RCL at 19.58.
Which has grown faster, NKE or RCL?
Over the past five years, RCL grew revenue faster — NKE at a 3.86% CAGR versus RCL at 142.80%.
Does NKE or RCL pay a bigger dividend?
NKE yields 3.90% and RCL yields 1.56% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is NKE or RCL more profitable?
RCL runs the higher net margin — NKE at 4.84% versus RCL at 24.39%.
Which has been the better investment, NKE or RCL?
Over the past 10-year, RCL delivered the higher annualized total return — NKE at -0.91% 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.