Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd vs Waste Management, Inc. — how do they compare? Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd trades at $260.14 (market cap $70.74B), while Waste Management, Inc. trades at $217.2 (market cap $86.51B). The key difference: Waste Management, Inc. is the larger of the two by market cap, and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd pays the higher dividend (2.27%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| RCL | WM | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $70.74B | $86.51B |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Industrials |
52-Week High | $350.23 | $246.51 |
52-Week Low | $246.71 | $196.77 |
Enterprise Value | $93.38B | $109.31B |
Dividend Yield | 2.27% | 1.75% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Royal Caribbean (RCL) trades at $264.5, down 0.26% on the day, with a bearish technical signal from moving averages but bullish oscillators. The stock shows strong fundamentals with Q2 2026 EPS beating expectations at $4.21 versus $3.98, and robust profitability margins including a 23.54% net income margin. Recent news highlights dividend declarations and institutional buying interest, though oil price increases pose near-term headwinds for cruise operators.
The outlook remains positive with analyst consensus price target of $367.83 implying significant upside, supported by earnings growth and debt reduction trends. Key risks include fuel cost volatility from rising oil prices and macroeconomic sensitivity, but institutional accumulation and strong cash flows provide a solid foundation for long-term investors.
WM trades at $217.78, down 0.55% today, with a bearish technical signal from moving averages but neutral oscillators. The company reported mixed Q2 2026 earnings, beating EPS estimates at $2.02 versus $1.98 expected, but missed Q4 2025. Revenue grew to $25.20B in 2025, with a net income margin of 11.12%. Recent news highlights CEO transition and strong institutional buying, including a 26,113.1% position increase by California State Teachers Retirement System in Q2 2026.
Outlook remains positive with a consensus price target of $263.43, implying 21% upside, supported by steady waste demand and sustainability investments. Risks include high debt levels, with a debt-to-asset ratio of 49.97% in 2025, and valuation concerns at a P/E of 30.8. The stock offers a dividend yield from recent payouts, but investors face execution risks amid leadership changes and economic sensitivity.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
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 →Waste Management ranks as the largest integrated provider of traditional solid waste services in the United States, operating approximately 260 active landfills and about 340 transfer stations. The company serves residential, commercial, and industrial end markets and is also a leading recycler in North America.
Read more on WM →