Carnival Corporation $CCL Stock Holdings Lifted by Stevens Capital Management LP

Stevens Capital Management LP lifted its holdings in shares of Carnival Corporation (NYSE:CCL) by 145.7% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 38,249 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 22,679 shares during the period. Stevens Capital Management LP’s holdings in Carnival were worth $1,106,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of CCL. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in Carnival by 0.9% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 127,764,837 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,693,681,000 after acquiring an additional 1,101,344 shares during the period. State Street Corp lifted its holdings in shares of Carnival by 3.5% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 45,523,890 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,280,132,000 after purchasing an additional 1,531,495 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its position in Carnival by 7.4% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 27,617,014 shares of the company’s stock valued at $773,398,000 after purchasing an additional 1,906,110 shares during the period. Viking Global Investors LP grew its stake in Carnival by 6.4% during the 2nd quarter. Viking Global Investors LP now owns 13,207,267 shares of the company’s stock worth $371,388,000 after buying an additional 798,450 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Holocene Advisors LP grew its stake in Carnival by 184.3% during the 2nd quarter. Holocene Advisors LP now owns 10,289,947 shares of the company’s stock worth $289,353,000 after buying an additional 6,669,935 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 67.19% of the company’s stock.

Carnival Trading Up 1.3%

Carnival stock opened at $31.97 on Friday. Carnival Corporation has a 12-month low of $15.07 and a 12-month high of $34.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.96, a current ratio of 0.32 and a quick ratio of 0.28. The stock has a market capitalization of $39.53 billion, a PE ratio of 15.98, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 2.49. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $30.82 and a 200-day simple moving average of $29.48.

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

Carnival Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 27th. Investors of record on Friday, February 13th will be paid a dividend of $0.15 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 13th. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.9%. Carnival’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 30.00%.

Key Stories Impacting Carnival

Here are the key news stories impacting Carnival this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Analysts note a 2026 fuel and foreign-exchange tailwind that could meaningfully boost Carnival’s margins and support its investment case if sustained; this is being cited as a medium-term positive for earnings. Is Carnival’s 2026 Fuel and FX Tailwind Meaningfully Altering The Investment Case For CCL?
• Positive Sentiment: Carnival was named to Zacks’ top lists (Rank #1) for growth and for value on Feb. 19, signaling positive analyst momentum and favorable quant rankings that can attract buying interest. Best Growth Stocks to Buy for February 19th Best Value Stocks to Buy for February 19th
• Positive Sentiment: Corporate sustainability initiatives — including food-waste reductions and ongoing fleet upkeep — were highlighted by Carnival, which can improve ESG perception and lower operating waste/costs over time. Carnival Highlights Food Waste Cuts And Fleet Upkeep In Sustainability Push
• Neutral Sentiment: Zacks and other outlets profile Carnival as a strong momentum/value stock based on style scores and relative strength; these are informational and can support flows but are not immediate catalysts. Here’s Why Carnival (CCL) is a Strong Momentum Stock
• Neutral Sentiment: Strong performances and strategic moves across the cruise sector (e.g., Royal Caribbean’s momentum) create a favorable backdrop for Carnival but are indirect — sector strength helps sentiment but doesn’t guarantee CCL will match peers.
• Negative Sentiment: Several market reports tied today’s weakness in CCL to crude oil trading near six‑month highs, reviving investor concerns about rising fuel expense for the cruise operator; that sent shares lower intraday. Carnival Stock Is Falling Thursday: What’s Driving The Action?
• Negative Sentiment: News roundups flagged a larger-than-market decline for CCL in recent sessions, driven by short-term selling pressure and macro volatility; with a high beta and significant leverage, Carnival is sensitive to cyclical headwinds. Why Carnival (CCL) Dipped More Than Broader Market Today

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Carnival in a report on Friday, December 26th. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $34.00 price objective on shares of Carnival in a research report on Monday, December 22nd. Bank of America upped their target price on shares of Carnival from $40.00 to $45.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, January 12th. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price target on shares of Carnival from $38.00 to $40.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, December 22nd. Finally, Morgan Stanley set a $33.00 price objective on Carnival in a research report on Wednesday, January 7th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nineteen have given a Buy rating and eight have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $35.00.

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.