Core Viewpoint - Carnival (CCL) is positioned to potentially continue its earnings-beat streak in the upcoming report, supported by a strong history of exceeding earnings estimates, particularly with an average surprise of 27.08% over the last two quarters [1]. Earnings Performance - In the last reported quarter, Carnival achieved earnings of $1.43 per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.32 per share, resulting in a surprise of 8.33% [2]. - For the previous quarter, Carnival was expected to report earnings of $0.24 per share but delivered $0.35 per share, leading to a significant surprise of 45.83% [2]. Earnings Estimates and Predictions - There has been a favorable change in earnings estimates for Carnival, with a positive Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction), indicating a strong likelihood of an earnings beat [5]. - Stocks with a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) or better have historically produced a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, suggesting a high probability of exceeding consensus estimates [6]. Earnings ESP Analysis - Carnival currently has an Earnings ESP of +1.52%, indicating that analysts have recently become more optimistic about the company's earnings prospects [8]. - The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank of 3 suggests that another earnings beat may be imminent, with the next earnings report expected on December 19, 2025 [8].

Core Insights - Carnival Corporation & plc (CCL) is set to announce its fiscal Q4 earnings for 2025 on December 19, with analysts expecting a profit of $0.25 per share, a 78.6% increase from $0.14 per share in the same quarter last year [1] - For the current fiscal year ending in November, CCL is projected to report a profit of $2.17 per share, reflecting a 52.8% growth from $1.42 per share in fiscal 2024, with further expected growth to $2.39 in fiscal 2026 [2] - CCL's stock has increased by 14.2% over the past 52 weeks, outperforming the S&P 500 Index's return of 11.1% and the State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF's 7.4% increase [3] Financial Performance - In Q3, CCL reported a revenue increase of 3.3% year-over-year to a record $8.2 billion, exceeding consensus estimates by nearly 1%, marking the tenth consecutive quarter of record revenues [4] - The adjusted EPS for Q3 climbed 12.6% from the previous year to $1.43, surpassing Wall Street expectations of $1.32 [4] Analyst Ratings - Wall Street analysts maintain a highly optimistic outlook on CCL's stock, with a "Strong Buy" rating overall; among 25 analysts, 18 recommend "Strong Buy," one suggests "Moderate Buy," and six indicate "Hold" [5] - The mean price target for CCL is set at $35.39, suggesting a potential upside of 24.7% from current levels [5]

Core Viewpoint - Carnival Corporation is a leading player in the cruise industry, facing competition but showing potential for growth with upcoming earnings reports [1][5]. Financial Performance - Carnival is expected to report an EPS of $0.25 on December 19, 2025, which is a 78.6% increase from $0.14 in the same quarter last year [2][6]. - Projected revenue for the upcoming quarter is approximately $6.38 billion, reflecting a 7.2% increase year-over-year [2][6]. - The company has a market capitalization of $37 billion and generated $26 billion in revenue over the past year, with operating profits of $4.3 billion and net income of $2.6 billion [3]. Market Valuation - Carnival's P/E ratio is approximately 13.93, with a price-to-sales ratio of about 1.40 and an enterprise value to sales ratio of 2.39, indicating market valuation metrics [4]. Challenges - The company faces margin pressures due to high costs, ship maintenance, and ongoing investments in destinations [5]. - Carnival's debt-to-equity ratio is 2.34, indicating significant financial leverage, while a current ratio of 0.34 suggests potential liquidity concerns [5][6]. - Investors are closely monitoring the upcoming earnings report to assess Carnival's ability to lead market trends into 2026 [5].

Core Insights - Carnival is set to release its earnings on December 18, 2025, with a current market capitalization of $37 billion, revenue of $26 billion, operating profits of $4.3 billion, and net income of $2.6 billion [2] Earnings Reaction History - Historical data shows that in the last five years, Carnival had 19 earnings data points, with 10 positive and 9 negative one-day (1D) returns, resulting in positive returns approximately 53% of the time [8] - The percentage of positive returns drops to 50% when analyzing the last three years, with a median of 5.4% for positive returns and -4.0% for negative returns [8] Trading Strategies - Traders can benefit from understanding the correlation between short-term (1D) and medium-term (5D) returns after earnings announcements, allowing them to position themselves accordingly [6] - A relatively lower-risk approach involves identifying pairs with the highest correlation between 1D and 5D returns to execute trades based on positive 1D returns [6]

Core Viewpoint - Carnival Corporation & plc (CCL) is set to release its fourth-quarter fiscal 2025 results on December 19, with expectations of significant earnings growth and revenue increase compared to the previous year [1][6]. Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CCL's fiscal fourth-quarter earnings per share (EPS) is 25 cents, reflecting a 78.6% increase from 14 cents in the same quarter last year [1][6]. - The consensus revenue estimate for the fourth quarter is $6.36 billion, indicating a 7.2% growth from the prior year's figure [1][6]. Earnings Surprise History - CCL has a strong earnings surprise history, having beaten the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the last four quarters, with an average surprise of 169.8% [3][4]. Revenue and Cost Trends - Passenger ticket revenues are projected to rise 5.2% year-over-year to $4.05 billion, while onboard and other revenues are expected to increase by 6.1% to $2.21 billion [9]. - Total operating expenses are anticipated to rise 5.3% year-over-year to $5.7 billion, influenced by higher variable compensation and ongoing investments in destinations and ship maintenance [11][10]. Stock Performance and Valuation - CCL shares have increased by 19.4% over the past six months, outperforming the Zacks Leisure and Recreation Services industry growth of 7.6% and the S&P 500's rise of 16.5% [12]. - The stock is currently trading at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple of 11.68, below the industry average of 17.15, indicating a potential undervaluation [14]. Strategic Positioning - The company is benefiting from strong booking momentum, high pricing, and disciplined yield execution, with record forward bookings and elevated customer deposits [16]. - Strategic investments in destination development and fleet upgrades are expected to enhance revenue generation and shareholder value over time [16]. Conclusion on Investment - While the fundamentals appear supportive, near-term visibility is limited due to ongoing cost pressures and elevated interest expenses, suggesting potential volatility around upcoming results [20][21]. - A cautious approach is recommended, with existing investors maintaining exposure due to improving fundamentals, while new investors may consider waiting for clearer signals on cost management [22].

The cruising giant reports quarterly results this week. It didn't go very well last time.The past few weeks have been a bon voyage for investors in cruise line stocks. Carnival Corp. (CCL 0.56%) -- the country's largest player by revenue -- has seen its shares coast 10% higher over the past month. This would be cause for a party on the pool deck, but comparison is the thief of joy sometimes.Rival Royal Caribbean -- the country's largest player by market cap -- is up a more robust 13% in the same time. Even ...

Group 1: Industry Outlook - The Caribbean market is becoming oversaturated, and the potential end of the Ukraine war positions Europe as a key battleground for the cruise industry by 2026, benefiting operators like Carnival (CCL.US) and Viking (VIK.US) over competitors [1] - Jefferies' David Katz expresses optimism for the cruise industry, noting that operators with significant European market presence will likely outperform those focused on the Caribbean [1] Group 2: Carnival Corporation - Carnival remains a top pick in the leisure and entertainment sector due to improving business quality and minimal capacity growth, with a "buy" rating reaffirmed by Katz [2] - The company is expected to benefit from disciplined capacity growth and targeted marketing efforts, focusing on single-ship pricing growth [2] - Carnival's European brands, including historical ties to St. Petersburg, are anticipated to gain from the resolution of the Ukraine conflict [2] Group 3: Viking Holdings - Viking is expected to benefit from its Europe-centric routes and high-income consumer targeting, with a rating upgrade from "neutral" to "buy" and a target price increase of 33% to $80 [2] - Projected net income growth for Viking is 5% in FY2026 and 4% in FY2027, with double-digit growth anticipated in adjusted EBITDA for FY2026-2027 [2] Group 4: Norwegian Cruise Line - Norwegian Cruise Line's decision to redeploy 10% of its European fleet to the Caribbean is seen as ill-timed, potentially disrupting normal bookings and affecting revenue due to short-term discounting [3] - The shift to target "high-end family" customers may exert additional pressure on pricing, despite commendable cost control efforts [3] - Katz downgraded Norwegian's rating from "buy" to "neutral" and reduced the target price by 23% to $20 [4] Group 5: Royal Caribbean - Royal Caribbean maintains a "neutral" rating, recognized for its strong management and business model, although pricing pressures are anticipated in 2026 [4] - The company is expected to see stronger growth in 2027 as more land assets come online, with a continued focus on technology and innovation [4] - Stock prices for Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Viking, and Norwegian all rose approximately 3%, with Royal Caribbean slightly outperforming [4]

Core Points - Holland America Line has secured broadcasting rights for the FIFA World Cup 26™ across its fleet of 11 ships, allowing guests to watch all matches during their cruise vacations [1][3] - The tournament will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, featuring 104 matches viewable on stateroom televisions and select public areas on the ships [2][3] - The initiative aims to enhance the guest experience by providing live coverage of the World Cup, which is recognized as the world's premier soccer tournament [3] Company Overview - Holland America Line has over 150 years of experience in the cruise industry, offering itineraries that connect guests to nearly 400 ports in 114 countries [5] - The cruise line emphasizes destination immersion and personalized travel, featuring a fleet of 11 vessels equipped with diverse activities and amenities [5] - The company is a division of Carnival Corporation and plc, which is publicly traded on NYSE [5] Industry Context - IMG, the agency managing the media rights for the FIFA World Cup, specializes in sports marketing and has partnerships with over 250 sports federations and events [6] - The collaboration between Holland America Line and IMG aims to create a unique viewing experience for soccer fans at sea, reflecting the global popularity of the sport [3][6]

Core Insights - Seabourn has secured broadcasting rights from IMG to air the FIFA World Cup 26 live on its ocean fleet from June 11 to July 19, 2026, allowing guests to watch all 104 matches during their cruises [1][3] - The initiative aims to enhance the luxury travel experience by combining the excitement of live sports with high-end cruising [3] Company Overview - Seabourn is recognized as a leader in ultra-luxury ocean and expedition travel, operating six modern ships that offer all-suite accommodations, award-winning dining, and a relaxed atmosphere [5] - The company emphasizes a commitment to providing unforgettable experiences, including partnerships with entertainers and wellness programs [5] Event Details - Guests will have access to uninterrupted FIFA World Cup 26 coverage via Sport 24 Special Event Channels, with viewing options available in suites and communal areas on board [3] - Sample voyages during the tournament include various itineraries, such as a 7-day cruise in Turkey and the Greek Isles, and a 14-day journey through the British Isles [4][9] Industry Context - IMG, the agency managing the media rights, is a prominent player in sports marketing, working with over 250 federations and events, indicating the significance of the FIFA World Cup as a global sporting event [7]

Core Viewpoint - The article presents a list of 12 stocks that are recommended for investment during the countdown to the new year, highlighting their long-term growth potential and current market conditions. Group 1: Recommended Stocks - **Apple**: Expected to achieve an 11% gain for the year, with a strong brand and growing AI integration across products, which may drive future revenue growth [5][6]. - **Costco**: Trading at 43x forward earnings estimates, down from over 58x, with a strong business model and high membership renewal rates above 90% in the U.S. and Canada [7][9]. - **Carnival**: The world's largest cruise operator has returned to profitability and is paying down debt, trading at only 11x forward earnings estimates [11][12]. - **Intuitive Surgical**: A leader in robotic surgery with a strong moat due to high costs of its systems and recurrent revenue from instruments and accessories [13][15]. - **Vertex Pharmaceuticals**: Leading in cystic fibrosis treatment with strong revenue and growth potential in new treatment areas [16][18]. - **Coca-Cola**: Strong brand and distribution network with a history of dividend increases for over 50 consecutive years, making it a solid choice for passive income [19][20]. - **Pool Corp.**: The largest supplier of pool equipment, trading at 22x forward earnings estimates, with consistent demand for maintenance services [21][22]. - **Amazon**: A leader in e-commerce and cloud computing, benefiting from AI growth, with AWS reporting a $132 billion annual revenue run rate [24][25]. - **Target**: Facing challenges but may recover in 2026, trading at 13x forward earnings estimates, presenting a potential buying opportunity [27][28]. - **CRISPR Therapeutics**: Recently approved a blood disorder treatment, with expected significant growth in the coming year [29][30]. - **Broadcom**: A networking giant emerging as a potential AI chip winner, with high demand for custom chips [31][32]. - **Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing**: A key player in chip production for AI, benefiting from multiple clients and significant investments in U.S. manufacturing [33][34].