McDonald's Corp vs Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd — how do they compare? McDonald's Corp trades at $272.43 (market cap $194.00B), while Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd trades at $306.99 (market cap $82.15B). The key difference: McDonald's Corp is far larger — about 2.4× Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd's market cap, and McDonald's Corp pays the higher dividend (2.71%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| MCD | RCL | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $194.00B | $82.15B |
Volume | 2,230,036 | — |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $341.06 | $365.84 |
52-Week Low | $262.80 | $246.71 |
Enterprise Value | $247.77B | $104.79B |
Dividend Yield | 2.71% | 1.63% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
McDonald's (MCD) trades at $273.72, down 0.28% on the day, with a neutral technical signal and strong fundamentals including a 31.72% net margin and consistent earnings beats. The company recently unveiled its 'McDonald's NEXT' growth strategy focusing on automation and menu innovation to drive future performance. Revenue growth remains steady, with 2025 revenue at $26.89 billion.
Outlook is positive with a consensus price target of $322.45 offering 17.8% upside, supported by 60% analyst buy ratings. Risks include inflationary pressures on franchisee margins and high long-term debt of $38.42 billion. The stock presents a value opportunity with stable dividends and strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing competitiveness.
Royal Caribbean (RCL) trades at $308, down 3.75% today, as strong earnings growth and bullish technical signals are tempered by geopolitical concerns affecting European demand. The company reported Q2 2026 EPS of $4.21, beating estimates, and raised full-year guidance, with revenue reaching $17.93B in 2025. Technical analysis shows a bullish trend with support at $305 and resistance at $314, while fundamentals highlight robust profitability with a 23.54% net margin and 45.33% ROE.
RCL presents a compelling growth story with record bookings and fleet expansion through 2028, though risks include high debt levels, capital-intensive spending, and geopolitical volatility. Analyst consensus is bullish with a $343 price target, but investors should weigh strong cash flow generation against ongoing investment requirements and market sensitivity to economic cycles.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
McDonald's Corporation franchises and operates fast-food restaurants in the global restaurant industry. The Company's restaurants serves a variety of value-priced menu products in countries around the world.
Read more on MCD →Royal Caribbean is the world's second-largest cruise company, operating 64 ships across five global and partner brands in the cruise vacation industry, with 10 more ships on order. Brands the company operates include Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea. The company also has a 50% investment in a joint venture that operates TUI Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, allowing it to compete on the basis of innovation, quality of ships and service, variety of itineraries, choice of destinations, and price. The company completed the divestiture of its Azamara brand in the first quarter of 2021.
Read more on RCL →