Zacks Research lowered shares of Carnival (NYSE:CCL – Free Report) from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research report report published on Thursday morning,Zacks.com reports. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Carnival’s Q2 2026 earnings at $0.34 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $0.11 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $2.58 EPS.
Other analysts have also issued reports about the company. HSBC upgraded Carnival from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and lowered their target price for the company from $33.60 to $30.10 in a research note on Monday, March 30th. Argus reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $35.00 price objective on shares of Carnival in a report on Monday, December 22nd. Barclays lowered their price objective on Carnival from $37.00 to $36.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, March 24th. Wolfe Research reaffirmed an “outperform” rating on shares of Carnival in a report on Friday, December 19th. Finally, William Blair reissued an “outperform” rating on shares of Carnival in a research report on Tuesday, March 3rd. Twenty-one investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $33.99.
Carnival Stock Performance
Carnival (NYSE:CCL – Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, March 27th. The company reported $0.20 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.18 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $6.17 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.13 billion. Carnival had a net margin of 11.48% and a return on equity of 26.92%. The company’s revenue was up 6.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.13 EPS. On average, research analysts predict that Carnival will post 1.77 EPS for the current year.
Insider Buying and Selling
In related news, Director Sir Jonathon Band sold 11,988 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, April 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $26.19, for a total transaction of $313,965.72. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 52,601 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,377,620.19. The trade was a 18.56% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 7.90% of the company’s stock.
Institutional Inflows and Outflows
Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of CCL. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. raised its position in shares of Carnival by 5.1% in the first quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 112,167 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,191,000 after buying an additional 5,435 shares in the last quarter. Great Lakes Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Carnival during the 1st quarter valued at about $228,000. Empowered Funds LLC increased its position in shares of Carnival by 61.6% in the first quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 30,437 shares of the company’s stock worth $594,000 after purchasing an additional 11,601 shares during the last quarter. Woodline Partners LP raised its stake in Carnival by 41.9% in the first quarter. Woodline Partners LP now owns 88,522 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,729,000 after purchasing an additional 26,141 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Baird Financial Group Inc. lifted its position in Carnival by 57.0% during the second quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 64,720 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,820,000 after purchasing an additional 23,484 shares during the last quarter. 67.19% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.
Carnival News Roundup
Here are the key news stories impacting Carnival this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Energy/geopolitical relief — Iran says the Strait of Hormuz is open on a coordinated route, sending oil prices sharply lower and easing near-term fuel-cost concerns for cruise operators; that helped lift CCL shares intraday. Equities Rally Intraday, Oil Plunges After Iran Declares Hormuz Strait Open
- Positive Sentiment: Company fleet strategy — Carnival brands (notably Princess Cruises and Holland America) announced large LNG dual-fuel newbuilds and a multiyear upgrade program, signaling long-term cost efficiency (lower emissions/fuel flexibility) and growth in Asia that support the company’s multi-year earnings case. Princess Cruises LNG Fleet Expansion and Asia Push Might Change The Case For Investing In Carnival (CCL)
- Neutral Sentiment: Valuation check — Analysts and outlets are debating how the new LNG ships and refit programs change Carnival’s valuation and capex profile; that’s constructive long-term but increases near-term capital intensity and timing uncertainty. Carnival Corporation (CCL) Valuation Check After New LNG Ships And Holland America Evolution Program
- Negative Sentiment: Analyst downgrade / sell-list inclusion — Zacks added CCL to its Rank #5 (Strong Sell) list today, which can pressure sentiment and prompt short-term selling from momentum-focused investors. New Strong Sell Stocks for April 17th
- Negative Sentiment: Near-term demand and cost worries — Recent coverage flagged rising fuel costs and a softer consumer-spending outlook for travel/cruises, which previously sent shares lower and remain a headline risk if oil reverses or bookings slow. Why Carnival (CCL) Stock Is Nosediving
- Negative Sentiment: Legal/reputational risk — A high-profile verdict tied to onboard alcohol service draws negative publicity and potential liability exposure for the cruise industry; such cases can raise operating/legal costs and dent consumer perception. Carnival Cruise Line ordered to pay $300,000 for serving over a dozen shots of tequila to passenger before she fell down the stairs
Carnival Company Profile
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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