Carnival (NYSE:CCL – Get Free Report) was upgraded by Morgan Stanley from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday,Benzinga reports. The firm presently has a $31.00 price objective on the stock, down from their prior price objective of $33.00. Morgan Stanley’s price target indicates a potential upside of 27.90% from the company’s current price.
Several other equities analysts have also recently issued reports on CCL. Argus reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $35.00 price objective on shares of Carnival in a report on Monday, December 22nd. UBS Group lifted their price target on Carnival from $37.00 to $38.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, January 12th. Sanford C. Bernstein boosted their price target on Carnival from $26.00 to $33.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. Citigroup raised their price objective on shares of Carnival from $36.00 to $39.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, December 22nd. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised shares of Carnival from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday, January 31st. Twenty investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $34.61.
Carnival Stock Down 3.4%
Carnival (NYSE:CCL – Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Friday, December 19th. The company reported $0.34 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.25 by $0.09. Carnival had a net margin of 10.37% and a return on equity of 28.39%. The company had revenue of $6.33 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.38 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.14 earnings per share. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 6.6% on a year-over-year basis. Carnival has set its Q1 2026 guidance at 0.170-0.170 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 2.480-2.48 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Carnival will post 1.77 EPS for the current year.
Hedge Funds Weigh In On Carnival
A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in CCL. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its holdings in Carnival by 0.3% during the fourth quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 128,133,282 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,913,190,000 after purchasing an additional 368,445 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp increased its stake in shares of Carnival by 1.5% during the fourth quarter. State Street Corp now owns 48,074,173 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,468,185,000 after purchasing an additional 704,433 shares in the last quarter. Barrow Hanley Mewhinney & Strauss LLC increased its stake in shares of Carnival by 0.8% during the third quarter. Barrow Hanley Mewhinney & Strauss LLC now owns 36,109,629 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,043,929,000 after purchasing an additional 291,864 shares in the last quarter. Causeway Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in Carnival by 9.6% in the 3rd quarter. Causeway Capital Management LLC now owns 31,912,001 shares of the company’s stock valued at $922,576,000 after buying an additional 2,783,927 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in Carnival by 2.4% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 29,450,412 shares of the company’s stock valued at $896,104,000 after buying an additional 683,311 shares in the last quarter. 67.19% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
Trending Headlines about Carnival
Here are the key news stories impacting Carnival this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Passenger demand and a narrative of a “comeback” support the recovery thesis; several pieces argue Carnival may be back on course as bookings and demand trends improve. CCL Stock Comeback , Is Carnival Finally Back on Course?
- Positive Sentiment: Analysts remain constructive overall: Stifel trimmed its price target but kept a Buy rating, signaling continued bullish conviction on Carnival’s long‑term outlook. Stifel Lowers PT on Carnival Corporation & plc (CCL), Keeps a Buy
- Neutral Sentiment: Carnival has scheduled its Q1 earnings release and analyst call for March 27 — a likely near‑term catalyst that could swing the stock depending on guidance and fuel‑cost commentary. CARNIVAL CORPORATION & PLC TO HOLD CONFERENCE CALL ON FIRST QUARTER EARNINGS
- Neutral Sentiment: Market commentary frames Carnival as a high‑beta, long‑term recovery play (some outlets call it a potential “millionaire‑maker” for long‑term investors), but stress that macro variables will drive near‑term outcomes. Is Carnival a Millionaire-Maker Stock?
- Negative Sentiment: Rising oil and fuel-price worries are pressuring margins and share performance; multiple articles flag fuel costs as the primary near‑term risk to profitability and guidance. Shifting Story For Carnival Corporation (CCL) As Demand Strength Meets Fuel And Risk Concerns
- Negative Sentiment: Geopolitical and war‑related risks, highlighted ahead of earnings, add uncertainty to fuel and itinerary costs — a downside catalyst if management reports higher-than-expected fuel expense. Carnival: War And Fuel Costs Ahead Of Earnings
- Negative Sentiment: Some commentators note Carnival’s recent underperformance versus the broader market, reflecting investor caution despite optimistic analyst commentary. Is Carnival Stock Underperforming the Dow?
About Carnival
Carnival Corporation (NYSE: CCL) is a global cruise operator that provides leisure travel services through a portfolio of passenger cruise brands. The company’s core business is operating cruise ships that offer multi-night voyages and associated vacation services, including onboard accommodations, dining, entertainment, spa and wellness offerings, casinos, youth programs, and organized shore excursions. Carnival markets cruise vacations to a broad range of consumers, from value-focused travelers to premium and luxury segments, through differentiated brand positioning and onboard experiences.
Its operating structure comprises multiple well-known cruise brands that target distinct geographic and demographic markets.
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