LOW vs. RCL: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at LOW and RCL, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | LOW | RCL |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Lowe's Companies, Inc. | Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| GICS Industry | Specialty Retail | Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure |
| Market Capitalization | 143.66 billion USD | 85.13 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | March 17, 1980 | April 28, 1993 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of LOW and RCL by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | LOW | RCL |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 7.45% | 1.18% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 10.12% | 29.42% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -0.24% | 16.00% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 10.93% | 103.70% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 14.65% | -1.40% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 3.86% | 35.86% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 3.20M | 2.02M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 2.77M | 2.38M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 24.89% | 33.54% |
| Beta | 0.89 | 2.14 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
LOW
264.53%
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 61.19%
- Q3
- 37.24%
- Median
- 18.81%
- Q1
- 8.92%
- Min
- -13.03%
LOW’s Return on Equity of 264.53% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Specialty Retail industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
RCL
45.41%
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure Industry
- Max
- 83.01%
- Q3
- 39.51%
- Median
- 17.38%
- Q1
- 5.32%
- Min
- -45.92%
In the upper quartile for the Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure industry, RCL’s Return on Equity of 45.41% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
LOW
8.22%
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 21.28%
- Q3
- 10.68%
- Median
- 6.08%
- Q1
- 2.43%
- Min
- -4.54%
LOW’s Net Profit Margin of 8.22% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Specialty Retail industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
RCL
20.97%
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure Industry
- Max
- 26.45%
- Q3
- 14.67%
- Median
- 8.69%
- Q1
- 3.34%
- Min
- -11.30%
A Net Profit Margin of 20.97% places RCL in the upper quartile for the Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
LOW
12.38%
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 33.35%
- Q3
- 15.84%
- Median
- 9.34%
- Q1
- 3.83%
- Min
- -8.97%
LOW’s Operating Profit Margin of 12.38% is around the midpoint for the Specialty Retail industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
RCL
23.69%
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure Industry
- Max
- 38.76%
- Q3
- 21.15%
- Median
- 14.20%
- Q1
- 6.43%
- Min
- -14.56%
An Operating Profit Margin of 23.69% places RCL in the upper quartile for the Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | LOW | RCL |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 264.53% | 45.41% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 15.37% | 9.60% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 8.22% | 20.97% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 12.38% | 23.69% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 33.37% | 50.06% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
LOW
1.01
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 2.83
- Q3
- 1.89
- Median
- 1.39
- Q1
- 1.11
- Min
- 0.64
LOW’s Current Ratio of 1.01 falls into the lower quartile for the Specialty Retail industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
RCL
0.23
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure Industry
- Max
- 2.68
- Q3
- 1.62
- Median
- 1.11
- Q1
- 0.74
- Min
- 0.19
RCL’s Current Ratio of 0.23 falls into the lower quartile for the Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
LOW
52.23
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 3.02
- Q3
- 1.57
- Median
- 0.64
- Q1
- 0.20
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 52.23, LOW operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Specialty Retail industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
RCL
2.07
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure Industry
- Max
- 9.88
- Q3
- 4.54
- Median
- 1.52
- Q1
- 0.27
- Min
- 0.00
RCL’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 2.07 is typical for the Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
LOW
7.97
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 48.12
- Q3
- 35.95
- Median
- 14.13
- Q1
- 3.61
- Min
- -36.00
LOW’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 7.97 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Specialty Retail industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
RCL
4.40
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure Industry
- Max
- 26.88
- Q3
- 11.95
- Median
- 3.87
- Q1
- 1.19
- Min
- -11.84
RCL’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 4.40 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | LOW | RCL |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.01 | 0.23 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.19 | 0.13 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 52.23 | 2.07 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 7.97 | 4.40 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
LOW
1.80%
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 6.53%
- Q3
- 2.69%
- Median
- 1.08%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
LOW’s Dividend Yield of 1.80% is consistent with its peers in the Specialty Retail industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
RCL
0.54%
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure Industry
- Max
- 5.88%
- Q3
- 2.37%
- Median
- 0.68%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
RCL’s Dividend Yield of 0.54% is consistent with its peers in the Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
LOW
37.67%
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 165.81%
- Q3
- 80.94%
- Median
- 31.61%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
LOW’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 37.67% is within the typical range for the Specialty Retail industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
RCL
18.26%
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure Industry
- Max
- 127.31%
- Q3
- 56.79%
- Median
- 19.58%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
RCL’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 18.26% is within the typical range for the Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | LOW | RCL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.80% | 0.54% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 37.67% | 18.26% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
LOW
20.91
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 48.56
- Q3
- 29.15
- Median
- 22.00
- Q1
- 15.46
- Min
- 7.95
LOW’s P/E Ratio of 20.91 is within the middle range for the Specialty Retail industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
RCL
23.59
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure Industry
- Max
- 59.44
- Q3
- 33.98
- Median
- 22.25
- Q1
- 15.53
- Min
- 7.61
RCL’s P/E Ratio of 23.59 is within the middle range for the Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
LOW
1.72
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 5.08
- Q3
- 2.69
- Median
- 1.23
- Q1
- 0.48
- Min
- 0.09
LOW’s P/S Ratio of 1.72 aligns with the market consensus for the Specialty Retail industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
RCL
4.95
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure Industry
- Max
- 7.74
- Q3
- 3.88
- Median
- 2.05
- Q1
- 1.19
- Min
- 0.17
RCL’s P/S Ratio of 4.95 is in the upper echelon for the Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
LOW
316.28
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 16.93
- Q3
- 7.98
- Median
- 3.69
- Q1
- 1.79
- Min
- 0.21
At 316.28, LOW’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Specialty Retail industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
RCL
9.27
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure Industry
- Max
- 20.90
- Q3
- 9.78
- Median
- 4.29
- Q1
- 2.22
- Min
- 0.47
RCL’s P/B Ratio of 9.27 is within the conventional range for the Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | LOW | RCL |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 20.91 | 23.59 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.72 | 4.95 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 316.28 | 9.27 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 21.43 | 23.69 |