Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd vs Waste Management, Inc. — how do they compare? Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd trades at $286.01 (market cap $76.75B), while Waste Management, Inc. trades at $235.99 (market cap $93.64B). The key difference: Waste Management, Inc. is the larger of the two by market cap, and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd pays the higher dividend (1.75%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| RCL | WM | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $76.75B | $93.64B |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Industrials |
52-Week High | $365.84 | $246.51 |
52-Week Low | $246.71 | $196.77 |
Enterprise Value | $98.03B | $116.37B |
Dividend Yield | 1.75% | 1.52% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Royal Caribbean (RCL) trades at $287.90, near its 52-week high, with a modest 0.33% daily gain. The stock shows strong fundamental momentum, with revenue growing from $8.8B in 2022 to $17.9B in 2025 and net income surging to $4.3B. However, technical indicators signal a bearish trend, with moving averages and oscillators pointing to near-term pressure. Recent news highlights earnings anticipation and board appointments, while analyst consensus remains bullish with a $328 price target.
The outlook for RCL is positive based on robust earnings growth and expanding profit margins, but risks include high debt levels and potential economic sensitivity. Investor sentiment is mixed, with technical weakness offset by strong fundamentals. The stock presents a long-term opportunity if it can maintain operational execution amid competitive and macroeconomic challenges.
WM (Waste Management) trades at $233.18, down 2.56% on the day, but remains near its 52-week high of $248.13. The stock shows a bullish technical trend with strong moving averages, while fundamentals reveal steady revenue growth to $25.20 billion in 2025 and a robust 10.99% net income margin. Recent earnings beat expectations in Q1 2026, though Q3 and Q4 2025 results missed. Analyst sentiment is positive with a consensus buy rating and $263.57 price target, supported by a reliable dividend and strong cash flow from operations of $6.04 billion.
Outlook: WM's dominant market position, pricing power, and renewable energy initiatives support long-term growth, but high debt levels and competitive pressures pose risks. The stock offers value for income and growth investors, with potential upside to analyst targets if execution remains solid amid economic uncertainties.
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 →