Merit Financial Group LLC Purchases New Stake in Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. $NCLH

Merit Financial Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:NCLH) during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund acquired 38,558 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $950,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. MUFG Securities EMEA plc acquired a new position in shares of Norwegian Cruise Line in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $26,000. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC raised its position in Norwegian Cruise Line by 1,928.0% in the second quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 2,028 shares of the company’s stock valued at $41,000 after purchasing an additional 1,928 shares during the period. Hantz Financial Services Inc. lifted its stake in Norwegian Cruise Line by 133.3% during the second quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 2,284 shares of the company’s stock worth $46,000 after purchasing an additional 1,305 shares in the last quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of Norwegian Cruise Line by 81.9% during the third quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 2,004 shares of the company’s stock worth $49,000 after buying an additional 902 shares during the period. Finally, SouthState Bank Corp grew its stake in shares of Norwegian Cruise Line by 74.5% in the third quarter. SouthState Bank Corp now owns 2,201 shares of the company’s stock valued at $54,000 after buying an additional 940 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 69.58% of the company’s stock.

Trending Headlines about Norwegian Cruise Line

Here are the key news stories impacting Norwegian Cruise Line this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Elliott disclosed a stake exceeding 10% and is pushing for board changes and operational reforms — the announcement is the primary catalyst for recent buying, suggesting potential governance-driven value creation. Elliott builds over 10% stake in Norwegian Cruise, seeks board change
• Positive Sentiment: Market reaction included a sharp intraday rally (double-digit move on the initial news) as traders repositioned for a potential turnaround and governance overhaul. Norwegian Cruise (NCLH) Soars 12 as Activist Firm Buys Stake
• Positive Sentiment: Elliott has sent a letter and presentation outlining specific changes it wants at NCLH (strategy, cost cuts, capital allocation), which provides a concrete playbook investors can evaluate. Elliott Sends Letter and Presentation Pushing Big Changes at NCLH
• Neutral Sentiment: NCLH is continuing fleet investments (orders for three new ships), a signal of long-term capacity/brand plans but also higher capex commitments to monitor. NCLH orders three new ships
• Neutral Sentiment: Analysts and commentators are re-evaluating whether the stock price reflects the sector recovery and the company’s turnaround potential — watch earnings, yield trends and booking data for confirmation. Is Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) Pricing Reflect The Ongoing Cruise Sector Recovery
• Negative Sentiment: Research notes significant execution risks: Citi flagged that Elliott’s ambitions face major hurdles (operational fixes, cost structure, and governance changes may be difficult and time-consuming). That raises uncertainty about the speed and size of any value uplift. Elliott Management’s ambitious goal for Norwegian Cruise Line faces major hurdles—Citi Research
• Negative Sentiment: Potential proxy fight and the company’s high leverage/cost base pose downside risks — activist campaigns can be disruptive and may lead to contested board fights or near-term volatility. Activist Elliott Builds Big Stake in Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line Trading Up 1.0%

NCLH opened at $24.34 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $11.08 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.90, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.60 and a beta of 2.06. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. has a 52 week low of $14.21 and a 52 week high of $27.18. The business’s 50 day moving average is $22.50 and its two-hundred day moving average is $22.61. The company has a quick ratio of 0.17, a current ratio of 0.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.22.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages recently commented on NCLH. Susquehanna lowered their target price on Norwegian Cruise Line from $25.00 to $21.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, November 12th. The Goldman Sachs Group downgraded Norwegian Cruise Line from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and cut their price target for the stock from $23.00 to $21.00 in a report on Tuesday, December 9th. Mizuho lifted their price objective on Norwegian Cruise Line from $29.00 to $32.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, December 12th. UBS Group reaffirmed a “neutral” rating on shares of Norwegian Cruise Line in a report on Wednesday, January 21st. Finally, Zacks Research cut Norwegian Cruise Line from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have assigned a Buy rating and twelve have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Norwegian Cruise Line has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $26.32.

Norwegian Cruise Line Profile

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: NCLH) is a global cruise operator offering a portfolio of premium brands that includes Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. The company provides sea voyages and related onboard services such as dining, entertainment, shore excursions and destination experiences. Its fleet of modern vessels sails to more than 400 destinations across all seven continents, serving leisure travelers with itineraries ranging from short Caribbean getaways to extended world voyages.

Founded in 1966 by Knut Kloster and Ted Arison, the company pioneered the concept of “Freestyle Cruising,” which allows passengers greater flexibility in dining schedules, entertainment choices and onboard activities.