Royal Caribbean (NYSE: RCL) stock finds itself in an unexpected place. Despite being the second-largest cruise line as measured by revenue, it stands out over the industry leader, Carnival Corp. Moreover, strength in the travel market has forced it to invest in new ships even though it still carries heavy debts from the shutdown during the pandemic. Nonetheless, despite such competition, Royal Caribbean stock is likely a buy. Here's why. Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released ...

Benchstone Capital exited its position in Norwegian Cruise Line during the fourth quarter as the cruise operator moves deeper into a post-reopening travel cycle. With its mix of premium and luxury brands, Norwegian is betting that higher-end demand can sustain revenue strength even as the broader travel surge normalizes.What happenedBenchstone Capital Management LP fully liquidated its holding in Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH 0.60%), reducing its position by 2,133,322 shares, according to a filing wi ...

Core Viewpoint - Activist investors are targeting Norwegian Cruise Line and TripAdvisor, aiming to address operational inefficiencies and enhance shareholder value through strategic changes. Norwegian Cruise Line - Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH) has a market cap of $11 billion and recently saw a 10% stake acquisition by activist investor Paul Singer of Elliott Management, who criticized the company's poor execution and cost controls [2][4] - Elliott Management is advocating for a new board with more travel experience and a stronger CEO, following the appointment of a new CEO with a background in the restaurant industry [3] - The company is projected to achieve over $4 billion in adjusted EBITDA by 2027, with potential for significant upside due to its modern fleet and favorable industry conditions [4] - Norwegian Cruise Line is the smallest of the major public cruise operators, focusing on the luxury market, which may allow for cost reductions through staff optimization [5] TripAdvisor - TripAdvisor (TRIP) has a market cap of $1.2 billion and has recently attracted a 9% stake from activist investor Starboard Value, which criticized the company's slow adoption of AI technologies [7][8] - Starboard Value plans to nominate its own board members at the upcoming annual meeting and suggests that TripAdvisor should consider a sale [8] - The stock has lost approximately 75% of its value over the past five years and over 80% in the last decade, indicating challenges in monetizing its platform effectively [9][10] - With a low forward P/E ratio of 7.5, TripAdvisor may be an attractive investment opportunity, although the risk of disruption from AI remains a significant concern [10]

We recently published an article titled 10 Best Cruise Stocks to Buy Right Now. On February 6, Tigress Financial raised its price target on Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE:RCL) to $425 from $415 while reiterating a Buy rating. The firm highlighted that Royal Caribbean’s 2025 performance reflects a multi-year growth trajectory characterized by record revenue, earnings, and cash flow generation. Margin expansion has been supported by destination-focused assets and the implementation of AI-driven pricing ...

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 ...

We recently published an article titled 10 Best Cruise Stocks to Buy Right Now. On January 22, Truist raised its price target on Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE:CCL) to $34 from $31 and maintained a Hold rating as part of a broader cruise sector update. Based on extensive discussions with senior travel industry executives and analysis of forward booking and pricing data, the firm noted that supply in the contemporary and mass-market segments remains modestly above demand, suggesting tempered expectations ...

Core Viewpoint - Carnival will unify its parallel listings in New York and London and redomicile to Bermuda [1] Group 1 - Carnival is a cruise operator that is making significant changes to its corporate structure [1]

Industry Overview - Cruise stocks are regaining investor attention as the industry enters 2026 with record-breaking demand, firm pricing, and rising onboard spending, with North American passenger volumes projected to reach 21.7 million [2] - Prominent cruise operators are reporting occupancy levels above 100%, enhancing operating leverage, supporting strong yields, and driving margin expansion [2] - The industry is investing in new ships and private destinations to modernize fleets and stimulate long-term demand, with sustainability becoming a central theme as new vessels increasingly use alternative fuels like LNG [3] Financial Performance - Beyond ticket revenue, cruise lines benefit from high-margin onboard spending, which has accelerated profitability and enabled companies to reduce debt accumulated between 2020 and 2022 [3] - Record bookings, firm pricing, rising onboard spending, and steady balance sheet repair suggest the industry is operating from a position of strength, with improving profitability indicating attractive upside potential for investors [4] Company Highlights - Pursuit Attractions and Hospitality, Inc. (NYSE:PRSU) is focusing on iconic attractions and hospitality assets, having entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Flyover flying theater attractions business for approximately $78.4 million, which is expected to close in spring pending regulatory approvals [9][10] - Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:LIND) has seen a constructive outlook with a raised full-year guidance for net yields, revenue, and EBITDA, with consolidated revenue advancing 16.6% and net yields climbing 9% to $1,314, marking the strongest third-quarter performance in the company's history [12][13]

Core Viewpoint - Planet Fitness, Inc. (PLNT) is expected to report its fourth-quarter 2025 results on February 24, with positive projections for earnings and revenues, driven by new club openings and membership growth [1][9]. Earnings and Revenue Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings per share (EPS) has risen to 78 cents, reflecting an 11.4% increase from 70 cents in the same quarter last year [2]. - Revenue estimates stand at $365.1 million, indicating a 7.2% growth from $340.5 million reported in the previous year [2]. Growth Drivers - Revenue growth is anticipated due to strong performance in the equipment segment, new club openings, and a favorable shift towards higher-tier Black Card memberships [3]. - Pricing actions and steady membership trends are expected to contribute positively to quarterly performance [3]. Challenges - Elevated attrition rates following the introduction of click-to-cancel functionality have impacted net membership growth, although these rates have started to moderate [4]. - Rising corporate operating expenses due to new club openings and international expansion may exert near-term margin pressure [7]. Revenue Breakdown - Franchise and Corporate-Owned clubs revenues are projected to increase by 8.8% to $97.4 million and by 8.6% to $137.2 million, respectively [5]. - Total Equipment revenues are expected to rise by 5.3% to $110.7 million [5]. Profitability Factors - The bottom line is expected to benefit from SG&A leverage, disciplined cost management, and improved marketing efficiency [6]. - The franchise model's high margins and a favorable real estate environment are expected to support long-term profitability [6]. Earnings Prediction - The model indicates a strong likelihood of an earnings beat for Planet Fitness, supported by a positive Earnings ESP of +1.71% and a Zacks Rank of 3 [8][10].

Core Viewpoint - Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH) is struggling to recover from the pandemic, remaining the worst-performing cruise stock over the past six years, with significant operational challenges and market headwinds impacting its performance [1][2]. Company Overview - Norwegian Cruise Line operates globally, offering itineraries to over 500 destinations through its three brands: Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, focusing on premium experiences [4]. - The company has a fleet of approximately 32 ships, making it the third-largest player in the cruise industry, smaller than Carnival Corporation's 92 vessels and comparable to Royal Caribbean's 27 ships [4]. Recent Performance - In 2026, NCLH stock has seen an 8% year-to-date increase, but it remains down about 55% from pre-pandemic highs of around $54 per share, contrasting sharply with the S&P 500's performance [5]. - The stock's underperformance highlights its vulnerability to sector-specific pressures, including fuel costs and shifts in consumer spending [5]. Valuation Metrics - NCLH's trailing P/E ratio is 11.68, below the U.S. hospitality industry average of 21.4, indicating a lower valuation compared to peers [6]. - The forward P/E ratio of 9.82 suggests anticipated earnings growth, while the P/S ratio of 1.26 is lower than historical averages of around 1.7, indicating the stock is trading at a discount to its revenue generation [6]. - The P/B ratio of 4.83 exceeds the company's five-year average of about 6.4 but aligns with recovery expectations [6].