Carnival (CCL) vs Viking (VIK)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Viking (VIK) has outperformed Carnival (CCL) over the past year, gaining 36.6% versus a loss of 8.9%. Viking is the larger company by market cap ($36.29 billion vs $35.16 billion), about 1.0 times the size. On valuation, Carnival trades at a lower forward P/E (10.2x vs 18.5x for Viking).
Carnival pays a dividend yielding 1.72%, while Viking does not currently pay one. Viking converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 17.7% versus 10.4%.
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 | CCL | VIK |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $26.15 | $81.26 |
| Market cap | $35.16B | $36.29B |
| 1-day change | -1.62% | -0.47% |
| YTD return | -14.37% | +13.79% |
| 1-year return | -8.92% | +36.57% |
| 5-year return | +10.48% | — |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 11.73 | 27.09 |
| Forward P/E | 10.21 | 18.53 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.23 | $3.00 |
| Dividend yield | 1.72% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.45 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $26.62B | $6.50B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +6.40% | +21.89% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $2.76B | $1.15B |
| Gross margin | — | 43.34% |
| Operating margin | 16.84% | 23.10% |
| Net margin | 10.37% | 17.65% |
| 52-week high | $34.03 | $110.09 |
| 52-week low | $21.45 | $56.37 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -23.16% | -26.19% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +29.75% | +34.81% |
| Average volume | 21.17M | 3.47M |
| Shares outstanding | 1.34B | 318.87M |
| Employees | 160,000 | 13,000 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Marine Transportation | Marine Transportation |
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
- VIK has outperformed CCL by 45.5 percentage points over the past year.
- Viking trades at a higher earnings multiple (27.1x vs 11.7x trailing P/E).
- Carnival offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.72% vs 0.00%).
- Viking is more profitable, keeping 17.7 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 10.4 cents for Carnival.
- Viking grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+21.89% vs +6.40%).
About Carnival
CCL stock →Carnival Corporation Ltd., a cruise company, provides leisure travel services. The company operates through four segments: North America Cruise Operations, Europe Cruise Operations, Cruise Support, and Tour and Other.
Consumer Discretionary · Marine Transportation · 160,000 employees
About Viking
VIK stock →Viking Holdings Ltd focused on providing passenger cruises in North America, the United Kingdom, and internationally. It operates through the River and Ocean segments.
Consumer Discretionary · Marine Transportation · 13,000 employees
CCL vs VIK FAQ
Which is bigger, Carnival or Viking?
Viking (VIK) is larger, with a market capitalization of $36.29B compared with $35.16B for Carnival (CCL).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CCL or VIK?
VIK returned +36.57% over the past 12 months, compared with -8.92% for CCL (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CCL or VIK?
CCL has the lower trailing P/E at 11.7, versus 27.1 for VIK. 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, Carnival or Viking?
Carnival pays a dividend yielding 1.72%, while Viking does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Carnival and Viking in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Marine Transportation industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.