Carnival Corporation (NYSE:CCL) Stock Now Rated “Moderate Buy” by Wall Street Analysts

Carnival Corporation (NYSE:CCL) has been given an average rating of “Moderate Buy” by the twenty-eight brokerages that are covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, twenty-one have assigned a buy recommendation and one has given a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year price target among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $34.14.

A number of analysts recently commented on the stock. Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on shares of Carnival from $31.00 to $32.50 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 29th. Weiss Ratings lowered Carnival from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a report on Thursday, September 10th. Truist Financial boosted their target price on Carnival from $29.00 to $31.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 23rd. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on Carnival from $36.00 to $34.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, October 1st. Finally, Argus dropped their price target on Carnival from $35.00 to $30.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, October 1st.

Key Carnival News

Here are the key news stories impacting Carnival this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Dividend reinstated: Carnival declared a quarterly dividend of $0.15 per share, or $0.60 annualized, representing an approximately 2.3% yield. The payment is scheduled for November 27 for shareholders of record on November 6. The resumption signals greater confidence in cash generation and gives income-focused investors a new reason to own CCL. Carnival Corporation Declares Dividend
• Positive Sentiment: Cash generation remains part of the investment case: Recent analysis focuses on Carnival’s cash position, alongside record revenue and net income, strong 2027 bookings and continued debt reduction. These factors could support additional balance-sheet improvement and capital returns over time. Should You Buy Carnival Stock For Its Cash?
• Neutral Sentiment: Premium offerings and pricing initiatives: Princess Cruises is expanding its Sanctuary Collection across five Royal Class ships, while Carnival is reportedly introducing dynamic pricing for some onboard amenities. Both initiatives could increase guest spending and improve revenue per passenger, but their effects on demand and customer satisfaction remain uncertain. Princess Cruises Expands Sanctuary Collection
• Negative Sentiment: Oil-price surge pressures margins: Crude oil reached a five-month high, weighing on cruise operators because fuel is one of their largest expenses. Carnival declined alongside Royal Caribbean and Norwegian, as investors priced in the risk of higher fuel costs reducing earnings and cash flow. Cruise Stocks Fall as Oil Price Hits Five-Month High

Carnival Stock Performance

Shares of CCL stock opened at $26.11 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $35.10 billion, a PE ratio of 11.40, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.12 and a beta of 2.38. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $24.66 and a 200-day moving average of $26.46. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.54, a current ratio of 0.27 and a quick ratio of 0.23. Carnival has a one year low of $21.45 and a one year high of $34.03.

Carnival (NYSE:CCL) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, September 29th. The company reported $1.43 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.35 by $0.08. The firm had revenue of $8.44 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.39 billion. Carnival had a net margin of 11.37% and a return on equity of 24.83%. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 3.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.43 earnings per share. Carnival has set its Q4 2026 guidance at 0.200-0.200 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 2.240-2.240 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Carnival will post 2.26 earnings per share for the current year.

Carnival Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 27th. Investors of record on Friday, November 6th will be paid a dividend of $0.15 per share. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 6th. Carnival’s dividend payout ratio is presently 26.20%.

Institutional Trading of Carnival

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of CCL. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its holdings in shares of Carnival by 5.5% in the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 15,904,029 shares of the company’s stock valued at $411,372,000 after buying an additional 834,885 shares during the period. Amundi lifted its position in Carnival by 67.3% in the 2nd quarter. Amundi now owns 6,770,304 shares of the company’s stock valued at $193,428,000 after acquiring an additional 2,723,171 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its stake in Carnival by 5.2% in the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 5,608,651 shares of the company’s stock worth $145,152,000 after purchasing an additional 278,758 shares during the period. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. boosted its stake in Carnival by 11.4% in the 2nd quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 4,687,038 shares of the company’s stock worth $133,909,000 after purchasing an additional 480,097 shares during the period. Finally, Hound Partners LLC increased its holdings in Carnival by 27.9% during the 1st quarter. Hound Partners LLC now owns 4,514,839 shares of the company’s stock worth $116,844,000 after purchasing an additional 985,772 shares in the last quarter. 67.19% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Carnival Company Profile

Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE: CCL) is one of the world’s largest leisure travel and cruise companies. It operates cruise lines that provide vacation travel, onboard entertainment, dining, accommodations, recreational activities and shore excursions. The company’s brands serve a broad range of travelers, from mainstream and contemporary vacationers to premium and luxury guests.

Carnival’s portfolio includes Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn, Cunard, Costa Cruises, AIDA Cruises, P&O Cruises UK and P&O Cruises Australia.