Airbnb (ABNB) vs Royal Caribbean Cruises (RCL)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Airbnb (ABNB) has outperformed Royal Caribbean Cruises (RCL) over the past year, gaining 33.9% versus a loss of 8.8%. Over five years, RCL leads with a +232.5% price change compared with -5.1% for ABNB. Airbnb is the larger company by market cap ($96.18 billion vs $75.51 billion), about 1.3 times the size.
On valuation, Royal Caribbean Cruises trades at a lower forward P/E (13.8x vs 26.0x for Airbnb). Royal Caribbean Cruises pays a dividend yielding 1.77%, while Airbnb does not currently pay one. Royal Caribbean Cruises converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 23.8% versus 20.5%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | ABNB | RCL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $160.63 | $282.32 |
| Market cap | $96.18B | $75.51B |
| 1-day change | +0.15% | -2.24% |
| YTD return | +18.24% | +2.89% |
| 1-year return | +33.90% | -8.82% |
| 5-year return | -5.14% | +232.47% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 36.59 | 17.43 |
| Forward P/E | 25.95 | 13.81 |
| EPS (TTM) | $4.39 | $16.20 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 1.77% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $5.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $12.24B | $17.93B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +10.26% | +8.80% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $2.51B | $4.27B |
| Gross margin | 82.96% | 49.36% |
| Operating margin | 20.78% | 27.38% |
| Net margin | 20.51% | 23.80% |
| 52-week high | $193.45 | $356.39 |
| 52-week low | $110.81 | $222.22 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -16.97% | -20.78% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +14.29% | +24.09% |
| Average volume | 4.72M | 2.43M |
| Shares outstanding | 419.53M | 267.45M |
| Employees | 8,200 | 107,950 |
| Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Consumer Cyclical |
| Industry | Travel Services | Travel Services |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- ABNB has outperformed RCL by 42.7 percentage points over the past year.
- Airbnb trades at a higher earnings multiple (36.6x vs 17.4x trailing P/E).
- Royal Caribbean Cruises offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.77% vs 0.00%).
About Airbnb
ABNB stock →Airbnb, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates a platform for stays, experiences, and services worldwide. The company's marketplace connects hosts and guests online or through mobile devices to book spaces, experiences, and services.
Consumer Cyclical · Travel Services · 8,200 employees
About Royal Caribbean Cruises
RCL stock →Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. operates as a cruise company worldwide.
Consumer Cyclical · Travel Services · 107,950 employees
ABNB vs RCL FAQ
Which is bigger, Airbnb or Royal Caribbean Cruises?
Airbnb (ABNB) is larger, with a market capitalization of $96.18B compared with $75.51B for Royal Caribbean Cruises (RCL).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ABNB or RCL?
ABNB returned +33.90% over the past 12 months, compared with -8.82% for RCL (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ABNB or RCL?
RCL has the lower trailing P/E at 17.4, versus 36.6 for ABNB. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Airbnb or Royal Caribbean Cruises?
Royal Caribbean Cruises pays a dividend yielding 1.77%, while Airbnb does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Airbnb and Royal Caribbean Cruises in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Travel Services industry within the Consumer Cyclical sector.