Marriott International vs Booking: Which Stock Could Rally?
Even as Marriott International surged 12% during the past Week, its peer Booking may be a better choice. Consistently evaluating alternatives is core to sound investment approach. Booking (BKNG) stock offers superior revenue growth across key periods, better profitability, and relatively lower valuation vs Marriott International (MAR) stock, suggesting you may be better off investing in BKNG
- BKNG’s quarterly revenue growth was 12.7%, vs. MAR’s 3.7%.
- In addition, its Last 12 Months revenue growth came in at 13.0%, ahead of MAR’s 4.7%.
- BKNG leads on profitability over both periods – LTM margin of 34.5% and 3-year average of 31.4%.
A single stock can be risky, but there is a huge value to a broader, diversified approach. If you seek an upside with less volatility than holding an individual stock, consider the Trefis High Quality Portfolio (HQ). HQ has outperformed its benchmark — a combination of S&P 500, Russell, and S&P midcap index — and achieved returns exceeding 105% since its inception. Risk management is key — consider what the long-term portfolio performance could be if you blended 10% commodities, 10% gold, and 2% crypto with HQ’s performance metrics.
MAR operates, franchises, and licenses nearly 8,000 hotel, residential, and timeshare properties across 139 countries under 30 brands in U.S., Canada, and international markets. BKNG provides global online travel and restaurant reservations, including accommodation, car rentals, and price comparison services through multiple platforms.
Valuation & Performance Overview
| MAR | BKNG | Preferred | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valuation | |||
| P/EBIT Ratio | 19.1 | 17.8 | BKNG |
| Revenue Growth | |||
| Last Quarter | 3.7% | 12.7% | BKNG |
| Last 12 Months | 4.7% | 13.0% | BKNG |
| Last 3 Year Average | 10.6% | 17.8% | BKNG |
| Operating Margins | |||
| Last 12 Months | 16.0% | 34.5% | BKNG |
| Last 3 Year Average | 16.3% | 31.4% | BKNG |
| Momentum | |||
| Last 3 Year Return | 102.3% | 173.3% | BKNG |
Note: For “Last 3 Year Return” metric, preferred stock is one with higher returns unless the returns are too high (>300%) which creates risk of sell off.
See more revenue details: MAR Revenue Comparison | BKNG Revenue Comparison
See more margin details: MAR Operating Income Comparison | BKNG Operating Income Comparison
But do these numbers tell the full story? Read Buy or Sell BKNG Stock to see if Booking’s edge holds up under the hood or if Marriott International still has cards to play (see Buy or Sell MAR Stock).
Historical Market Performance
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Total [1] | Avg | Best | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Returns | |||||||||
| MAR Return | -13% | 25% | -9% | 53% | 25% | 2% | 93% | ||
| BKNG Return | 8% | 8% | -16% | 76% | 41% | -1% | 142% | <=== | |
| S&P 500 Return | 16% | 27% | -19% | 24% | 23% | 14% | 108% | ||
| Monthly Win Rates [3] | |||||||||
| MAR Win Rate | 42% | 58% | 50% | 58% | 67% | 60% | 56% | ||
| BKNG Win Rate | 50% | 58% | 50% | 75% | 58% | 50% | 57% | ||
| S&P 500 Win Rate | 58% | 75% | 42% | 67% | 75% | 70% | 64% | <=== | |
| Max Drawdowns [4] | |||||||||
| MAR Max Drawdown | -61% | -12% | -19% | -1% | -6% | -24% | -20% | ||
| BKNG Max Drawdown | -44% | -15% | -32% | 0% | -6% | -16% | -19% | ||
| S&P 500 Max Drawdown | -31% | -1% | -25% | -1% | -2% | -15% | -12% | <=== | |
[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2020
[2] 2025 data is for the year up to 11/7/2025 (YTD)
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
No matter how good the numbers, stock investment is never a smooth ride. There is a risk you must factor in. Read BKNG Dip Buyer Analyses and MAR Dip Buyer Analyses to see how these stocks have fallen and recovered in the past.
Whatever your view on either of these stocks, investing in one or two stocks remains a risky proposition. Instead, the Trefis High Quality (HQ) Portfolio, with a collection of 30 stocks, has a track record of comfortably outperforming its benchmark that includes all 3 — the S&P 500, S&P mid-cap, and Russell 2000 indices. Why is that? As a group, HQ Portfolio stocks provided better returns with less risk versus the benchmark index; less of a roller-coaster ride, as evident in HQ Portfolio performance metrics.