Merit Financial Group LLC Buys Shares of 38,558 Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. $NCLH

Merit Financial Group LLC bought a new stake in Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:NCLH) during the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor bought 38,558 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $950,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of NCLH. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Norwegian Cruise Line by 2.3% in the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 21,908 shares of the company’s stock worth $444,000 after acquiring an additional 493 shares during the period. Sound Income Strategies LLC raised its stake in shares of Norwegian Cruise Line by 16.6% during the 3rd quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 3,507 shares of the company’s stock worth $82,000 after buying an additional 500 shares in the last quarter. Covestor Ltd lifted its holdings in shares of Norwegian Cruise Line by 21.3% in the 3rd quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 2,898 shares of the company’s stock valued at $72,000 after buying an additional 509 shares during the period. Retirement Systems of Alabama boosted its stake in shares of Norwegian Cruise Line by 0.6% in the third quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabama now owns 96,405 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,374,000 after buying an additional 529 shares in the last quarter. Finally, AdvisorShares Investments LLC grew its holdings in Norwegian Cruise Line by 12.0% during the second quarter. AdvisorShares Investments LLC now owns 5,377 shares of the company’s stock worth $109,000 after acquiring an additional 577 shares during the period. 69.58% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Key Stories Impacting 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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have commented on NCLH shares. Susquehanna reduced 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. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on shares of Norwegian Cruise Line from $29.00 to $33.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 13th. Citigroup boosted their price objective on shares of Norwegian Cruise Line from $26.00 to $29.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 14th. TD Cowen reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of Norwegian Cruise Line in a report on Tuesday, January 13th. Finally, Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on Norwegian Cruise Line from $27.00 to $25.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have issued a Buy rating and twelve have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $26.32.

Norwegian Cruise Line Stock Up 1.0%

Shares of NYSE NCLH opened at $24.34 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $11.08 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.90, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.60 and a beta of 2.06. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.22, a quick ratio of 0.17 and a current ratio of 0.19. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. has a 1 year low of $14.21 and a 1 year high of $27.18. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $22.50 and its 200 day moving average price is $22.61.

Norwegian Cruise Line Company 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.