Carnival (NYSE:CCL) Stock Price Up 6% – Here’s Why

Carnival Corporation (NYSE:CCL) rose 6% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as $31.13 and last traded at $30.4450. Approximately 15,223,629 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 14% from the average daily volume of 17,653,307 shares. The stock had previously closed at $28.72.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Morgan Stanley set a $33.00 price objective on shares of Carnival in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. Susquehanna increased their price objective on Carnival from $35.00 to $40.00 and gave the stock a “positive” rating in a report on Tuesday, December 16th. Jefferies Financial Group upped their target price on Carnival from $34.00 to $37.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, December 15th. Sanford C. Bernstein raised their price target on Carnival from $26.00 to $33.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price target on Carnival from $38.00 to $40.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, December 22nd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nineteen have issued a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $35.00.

Carnival Stock Up 8.8%

The stock has a market cap of $36.48 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.68, a P/E/G ratio of 1.05 and a beta of 2.51. The company has a current ratio of 0.32, a quick ratio of 0.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.96. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $28.71 and its 200 day moving average is $29.18.

Carnival (NYSE:CCL) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, December 19th. The company reported $0.34 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.25 by $0.09. Carnival had a return on equity of 28.39% and a net margin of 10.37%.The company had revenue of $6.33 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.38 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.14 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue was up 6.6% compared to the same quarter last year. 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 forecast that Carnival Corporation will post 1.77 EPS for the current year.

Carnival Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 27th. Investors of record on Friday, February 13th will be given a dividend of $0.15 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 13th. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.9%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. BOCHK Asset Management Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Carnival in the fourth quarter valued at about $25,000. Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLC acquired a new position in Carnival in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Carnival in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Carnival by 381.0% during the 4th quarter. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 962 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 762 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Carnival by 182.0% in the third quarter. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC now owns 1,021 shares of the company’s stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 659 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 67.19% of the company’s stock.

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.