Analysts on Wall Street project that Viking Holdings (VIK) will announce quarterly earnings of $0.54 per share in its forthcoming report, representing an increase of 20% year over year. Revenues are projected to reach $1.63 billion, increasing 20.7% from the same quarter last year.Over the last 30 days, there has been no revision in the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter. This signifies the covering analysts' collective reconsideration of their initial forecasts over the course of this timeframe.Ahead o ...

We recently published an article titled 10 Best Cruise Stocks to Buy Right Now. In January 2026, Viking Holdings Ltd (NYSE:VIK) entered into a multi-year marketing partnership with the PGA TOUR running through 2030, naming Viking the Official Cruise Line of the PGA TOUR and PGA TOUR Champions. The agreement provides substantial brand exposure across the TOUR’s media and digital platforms, aligning Viking with a global audience of affluent golf enthusiasts. This strategic partnership enhances brand visibil ...

Group 1 - Viking Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:VIK) is currently considered one of the best IPO stocks to buy, with price targets raised by analysts from Morgan Stanley and Bank of America [1][3] - Morgan Stanley analyst Stephen Grambling increased the price target for Viking Holdings to $75 from $70, maintaining an Overweight rating, while Bank of America raised its target to $80 from $70 with a Buy rating [1][3] - The analysis from Bank of America indicated a 10.5% year-over-year increase in monthly cruise spending for December, contrasting with a 1.9% decline in overall travel spending, highlighting the strength of the cruise sector [3] Group 2 - Morgan Stanley anticipates that the fundamental trends observed in the cruise and travel sectors will continue into the coming year, with interest rates potentially favoring goods over services [2] - Viking Holdings operates in the passenger shipping and transport sectors, focusing on North America, the UK, and international markets, through its River & Ocean segments [5]

Core Viewpoint - Royal Caribbean is entering the river cruise market with its Celebrity brand, significantly increasing its fleet size from 10 to 20 ships due to strong demand, posing a competitive threat to Viking, the long-standing leader in the river cruise industry [1]. Company Analysis - Royal Caribbean's new river cruise business is expected to enhance its market presence and competitiveness in the cruise industry [1]. - The decision to double the fleet size indicates robust demand for river cruises, suggesting a positive market trend [1]. Industry Implications - The entry of a major player like Royal Caribbean into the river cruise sector may disrupt the existing market dynamics, particularly affecting Viking's market share and investor confidence [1]. - Increased competition could lead to innovation and improved offerings within the river cruise industry, benefiting consumers [1].

Core Insights - The article highlights several stocks that are trading near buy points, with a focus on companies benefiting from data center expansion [1] Group 1: Stocks to Watch - GE Vernova (GEV) has successfully broken out past a buy point [1] - Vertiv Holdings (VRT), Dycom Industries (DY), Halozyme Therapeutics (HALO), and Viking Holdings (VIK) are also identified as stocks to watch, trading near buy points [1] - Among these, GE Vernova, Vertiv, and Dycom have reported a 35% growth in earnings per share, indicating strong performance linked to data center expansion [1] Group 2: Market Context - The article notes that the U.S. government is entering a shutdown, which may impact market conditions [1] - Despite market fluctuations, certain stocks like GE Vernova and others are highlighted for their potential as they approach key levels [1]

Core Insights - Viking Holdings Ltd. is identified as a promising stock for long-term investment, with recent price target upgrades from multiple financial institutions indicating strong market confidence [1][2][3] Group 1: Price Target Upgrades - Bank of America raised its price target for Viking Holdings to $80 from $70, maintaining a Buy rating, citing a 10.5% year-over-year increase in monthly cruise spending in December [1] - Jefferies upgraded Viking Holdings from Hold to Buy, increasing the price target to $80 from $60, based on the company's consistent growth and strong position in the luxury travel market [2] - Citi also raised its price target for Viking Holdings to $85 from $74 while maintaining a Buy rating, although it noted potential concerns regarding consumer demand and market saturation in the Caribbean [3] Group 2: Industry Performance - The cruise sector is highlighted as a significant outlier within the travel industry, with cruise demand remaining robust despite a 1.9% decline in broader travel spending [1] - Airlines and hotels experienced declines of 4.1% and 2.4%, respectively, indicating a challenging environment for other segments of the travel industry [1] Group 3: Company Overview - Viking Holdings operates in the passenger shipping and transport sector, with activities in North America, the UK, and internationally, divided into River and Ocean segments [4]

Core Insights - Viking earned top honors in the USA TODAY 10BEST 2026 Readers' Choice Awards, ranking 1 in multiple categories including Best River Cruise Line, Best Ocean Cruise Line, Best Alaska Cruise, and Best Cruise Line for Shore Excursions [1] - Viking's ocean ships, the Viking Mars® and the Viking Star®, received individual accolades for Best Adults-Only Cruise and Best Cruise Ship for Dining, respectively [1] Awards and Recognition - Viking has been recognized as 1 for Oceans and 1 for Rivers by Condé Nast Traveler for five consecutive years in the 2025 Readers' Choice Awards [2] - The company is also rated a "World's Best" by Travel + Leisure, achieving simultaneous honors from both publications, which is unique in the travel industry [2] - Additional accolades include eight awards in Cruise Critic's 2025 Best in Cruise Awards and top rankings from U.S. News & World Report as "Best Luxury Line," "Best Line for Couples," and "Best Line in the Mediterranean" for five years in a row [2] Company Overview - Viking operates a fleet of over 100 ships, exploring 21 rivers, five oceans, and all seven continents, focusing on experiential travel for curious travelers interested in science, history, culture, and cuisine [4] - The company has received more than 450 awards, reinforcing its reputation in the cruise industry [4]

Core Viewpoint - The article compares Carnival and Viking Holdings as investment options in the cruise industry, highlighting their market positions, financial performance, and growth potential. Carnival - Carnival holds a 42% market share in the cruise industry, making it a generalist brand catering to a broad audience, which includes budget-friendly options [3] - The company faced significant challenges during the pandemic, leading to heavy borrowing and a slow recovery to pre-pandemic revenue levels, but has since seen a resurgence in demand with occupancy rates at 105% [4] - In fiscal 2025, Carnival generated $2.6 billion in free cash flow and reduced its total debt by approximately $800 million, although its total debt remains high at $25.8 billion [5] - The stock has increased by 30% over the past year and is currently valued at a P/E ratio of 16, which is lower than its competitors, suggesting potential for further growth [7] Viking Holdings - Viking has a much smaller market share of 0.8% but claims 4.2% of industry revenue, focusing on luxury experiences and educational offerings [2] - The company has a total debt of around $5.4 billion, which is considered manageable given its book value of the same amount [11] - Viking generated $674 million in free cash flow over the last year, although this has decreased as the company invests in new ships to meet high demand [12] - The stock has appreciated by 70% over the past year, with a higher P/E ratio of 35, reflecting its premium positioning and recession-resistant business model [13] Investment Considerations - Investors seeking safety may prefer Carnival due to its low P/E ratio and significant market share, alongside strong booking trends and effective debt management [14] - Conversely, those willing to take on more risk might find Viking's growth potential appealing, as its business model is less susceptible to economic downturns and its smaller ships allow access to more destinations [15]

Core Insights - Viking announced The Viking Savings Event, offering new booking incentives for North American travelers [1] - The promotion includes discounts of up to 35 percent on all-inclusive voyages, free international airfare, and a $25 deposit for all itineraries [1] - Additional savings are available for returning guests on select river, ocean, and expedition itineraries for 2026-2028 [1]

Core Insights - The cruise industry is thriving, with Carnival Corp. being the largest cruise line in the U.S. by fleet capacity and revenue, while Viking Holdings leads in river expeditions [1][2] Carnival Insights - Carnival is not the most valuable cruise line operator, as Royal Caribbean holds that title, nor is it the cheapest, with Norwegian Cruise Line trading at the lowest forward P/E in the industry [4] - Despite this, Carnival has shown strong performance, with a 10% increase in stock price following better-than-expected financial results [5] - The company has consistently exceeded analyst expectations, achieving double-digit percentage beats in 9 of the last 10 quarters, and has seen accelerated top-line gains after a slower fiscal third quarter [6] - Carnival has returned to profitability after being the last major operator to do so and has reinstated its quarterly dividend at a yield of 1.9%, which is higher than Royal Caribbean's 1.4% and Norwegian's lack of cash distribution [7][8] Viking Insights - Viking is trading at nearly 30 times forward earnings, indicating a higher valuation compared to Carnival, but is experiencing faster growth [7]