Is Booking a Better Buy Than Marriott International?
Marriott International surged 17% during the past Month. You may be tempted to buy more, or may want to reduce your exposure. But there is an entirely different perspective you might be missing. Is there a better alternative? Turns out, its peer Booking gives you more. 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 16.0%, vs. MAR’s 4.1%.
- In addition, its Last 12 Months revenue growth came in at 13.4%, ahead of MAR’s 4.3%.
- BKNG leads on profitability over both periods – LTM margin of 34.5% and 3-year average of 31.2%.
These differences become even clearer when you look at the financials side by side. The table highlights how MAR’s fundamentals stack up against those of BKNG on growth, margins, momentum, and valuation multiples.
Valuation & Performance Overview
| MAR | BKNG | Preferred | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valuation | |||
| P/EBIT Ratio | 24.6 | 16.6 | BKNG |
| Revenue Growth | |||
| Last Quarter | 4.1% | 16.0% | BKNG |
| Last 12 Months | 4.3% | 13.4% | BKNG |
| Last 3 Year Average | 8.1% | 16.5% | BKNG |
| Operating Margins | |||
| Last 12 Months | 15.8% | 34.5% | BKNG |
| Last 3 Year Average | 15.9% | 31.2% | BKNG |
| Momentum | |||
| Last 3 Year Return | 124.5% | 83.8% | MAR |
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
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See detailed fundamentals on Buy or Sell BKNG Stock and Buy or Sell MAR Stock. Below we compare market return and related metrics across years.
Historical Market Performance
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | Total [1] | Avg | Best | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Returns | |||||||||
| MAR Return | 25% | -9% | 53% | 25% | 12% | 22% | 198% | <=== | |
| BKNG Return | 8% | -16% | 76% | 41% | 9% | -10% | 120% | ||
| S&P 500 Return | 27% | -19% | 24% | 23% | 16% | 4% | 90% | ||
| Monthly Win Rates [3] | |||||||||
| MAR Win Rate | 58% | 50% | 58% | 67% | 67% | 75% | 62% | <=== | |
| BKNG Win Rate | 58% | 50% | 75% | 58% | 50% | 25% | 53% | ||
| S&P 500 Win Rate | 75% | 42% | 67% | 75% | 67% | 50% | 62% | ||
| Max Drawdowns [4] | |||||||||
| MAR Max Drawdown | -12% | -19% | -1% | -6% | -24% | 0% | -10% | ||
| BKNG Max Drawdown | -15% | -32% | 0% | -6% | -16% | -28% | -16% | ||
| S&P 500 Max Drawdown | -1% | -25% | -1% | -2% | -15% | -7% | -9% | <=== | |
[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2021
[2] 2026 data is for the year up to 4/20/2026 (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.
Still not sure about MAR or BKNG? Consider portfolio approach.
The Best Investors Think In Portfolios
Individual stocks can soar or tank, but one thing matters: staying invested. The right portfolio can help you stay invested, capture upside, and mitigate the downside associated with any individual stock.
Why settle for average market returns? The Trefis High Quality (HQ) Portfolio invests in a diverse group of 30 stocks that have collectively delivered stronger upside with reduced volatility compared to the broader indices. Discover the methodology behind these smoother, higher returns by checking the HQ Portfolio performance data.