Carnival CorporationNYSE: CCL
Consumer Discretionary · Hotels, Resorts & Cruise Lines
$26.66
+0.55%
Vol: 19.0M
Research Digest
Friday, May 1, 2026
Carnival stock jumps 3.8% as cruise industry shows strength; company reported record Q1 results with 50% YoY adjusted EPS growth and raised full-year outlook by $150M.
Carnival stock gained 3.8% after Royal Caribbean reported strong Q1 results, signaling cruise industry strength. The company achieved record Q1 operating results with $6.2B revenue and 50% YoY adjusted EPS growth. Bookings are at historically high prices with nearly 85% of 2026 booked. The company announced $2.5B share buyback and PROPEL long-term targets through 2029. Despite recent 26.6% monthly decline, strong booking patterns support recovery.
Previous Market Intelligence
13 daysApr 30Carnival Corp achieves record Q1 operating results with $6.2B revenue but stock falls 2.74% amid fuel cost pressuresMixed▶
Carnival Corporation reported record Q1 2026 operating results on March 27, 2026, with revenue of $6.2 billion, diluted EPS of $0.19 (adjusted $0.20, up 50% YoY), and record adjusted EBITDA of $1.3 billion. Bookings remain at historically high prices with nearly 85% of 2026 booked and customer deposits near $8 billion. The company announced a $2.5 billion initial share buyback program and launched PROPEL with long-term targets through 2029 including greater than 16% ROIC and greater than 50% adjusted EPS growth from 2025. However, CCL stock fell 2.74% recently and is down 26.6% in the past month due to rising fuel costs and geopolitical tensions. Stock trades at $25.66 as of April 29, 2026.
Apr 29Carnival Corp Q1 2026 revenue hits record $6.2B with 103% occupancy; stock down 25% in one month on fuel concernsMixed▶
Carnival Corporation reported record Q1 2026 revenues of $6.2 billion with 103% occupancy and net yield increase of 2.7% year-over-year. Adjusted EPS jumped 50% to $0.20. The company announced record bookings with demand extending into 2028 and plans $14 billion in shareholder distributions from 2026-2029, starting with $2.5 billion buyback. However, stock fell 25% in one month amid fuel price spikes and insider selling of $15 million. Corporate unification measures approved April 20; Princess Cruises announced Voyager class ship order.
Apr 16Carnival reported record Q1 2026 results on March 27 with adjusted EPS of $0.20 (+50% YoY) and announced $2.5B buyback.Mixed▶
Carnival achieved Q1 2026 revenue of $6.2 billion and record adjusted EBITDA of $1.3 billion. Company announced PROPEL program with targets including 16%+ ROIC and 50%+ adjusted EPS growth through 2029. Nearly 85% of 2026 bookings complete at historically high prices with customer deposits near $8 billion. Zacks rating is Sell due to declining earnings estimates, but April 8 Iran-US ceasefire announcement boosted stock 10% premarket as oil prices fell.
Apr 15Carnival posted record Q1 results with $6.2B revenue and adjusted EPS +50% YoY, launched $2.5B buyback and PROPEL 2029 plan.Positive▶
Carnival Corporation reported record Q1 2026 operating results with revenue of $6.2B and adjusted EPS of $0.20, up 50% YoY. The company announced a $2.5B share buyback authorization and launched PROPEL 2029 plan targeting >16% ROIC. UBS lowered price target to $35.00 on April 13.
Apr 14Carnival cuts full-year guidance to $2.21 EPS despite strong Q1 revenue of $6.2B, citing rising fuel costs.Mixed▶
Carnival Corporation reported record Q1 2026 revenue of $6.2 billion and net income of $258 million, but lowered full-year 2026 earnings guidance to $2.21 EPS. The company faces headwinds from fuel cost exposure. Stock jumped 10.3% April 8 on Iran ceasefire hopes.
Apr 13Carnival slashes FY 2026 EPS guidance to $2.21 from $2.38 amid fuel cost headwinds despite strong booking momentum.Mixed▶
Carnival issued downside guidance, updating FY 2026 EPS to $2.21 (versus $2.38 consensus). Q1 2026 EPS of $0.20 (beat by 11%) on record $6.2B revenue. Full-year guidance implies $500M fuel cost headwind. Stock surged 10% April 8 on Iran ceasefire hopes reducing geopolitical risk. 85% of 2026 capacity already booked.
Apr 10Carnival shares rally 10% on April 8 on Iran ceasefire hopes and fuel cost relief, but Q2 earnings guidance misses expectations.Mixed▶
Carnival surged 10% on April 8 following ceasefire hopes with Iran and 17% drop in oil prices. However, company issued Q2 2026 EPS guidance of $0.34 vs. consensus $0.41. Company reported record Q1 revenue, introduced PROPEL multi-year plan, authorized $2.5B share buyback, and resumed quarterly dividends.
Apr 9Carnival soars 10.3% on Trump ceasefire tweet; Q1 adjusted EPS up 50% to $0.20Positive▶
Carnival Corporation stock jumped 10.3% on April 8 after Trump's Truth Social post confirmed Iran military action suspension for two weeks. Oil prices fell 17%, benefiting cruise fuel costs. Q1 2026 revenue hit record $6.2B with adjusted EPS $0.20 (up 50% YoY) and record adjusted EBITDA $1.3B. Company announced $2.5B buyback and PROPEL plan targeting 16%+ ROIC by 2029. Bookings near 85% for 2026 at historically high prices.
Apr 8Carnival reports record Q1 results, launches PROPEL plan with $2.5B buyback; HSBC upgrades to Buy.Positive▶
Carnival Corporation achieved record first-quarter operating results with $6.2B revenue, diluted EPS $0.19 (adjusted EPS $0.20, +50% YoY), and record adjusted EBITDA $1.3B. Company launched PROPEL multi-year strategic plan targeting >16% ROIC, >50% adjusted EPS growth from 2025, ~40% cash-to-shareholders (~$14B), and 2.75x net debt/EBITDA by 2029. Current-year bookings up 10% YoY with record $8B+ customer deposits and 85% of 2026 booked. HSBC upgraded to Buy on March 31; Deutsche Bank cut PT to $32 from $34 same day. Recent insider selling reflects some caution; UBS maintains Buy with $38 PT. Stock at $27.69 with volatility from guidance reset.
Apr 7Carnival reports record Q1 revenue; raises PROPEL targets; lowers full-year EPS guide.Mixed▶
Carnival Q1 2026 record revenue $6.2B, adjusted EPS $0.20 (+50%), record EBITDA $1.3B March 27. $2.5B buyback. PROPEL plan: 16%+ ROIC, 50%+ EPS growth, 40% cash to shareholders (~$14B). Lowered EPS guidance. ~$8B customer deposits. 22 analysts Buy at $38 (+39.9%).
Apr 6Carnival Reports Record Q1 Results, Raises Fuel Cost Guidance ConcernsMixed▶
Carnival Corporation reported record Q1 2026 operating results on March 27, 2026, with revenue of $6.2 billion, diluted earnings per share of $0.19, and adjusted earnings per share of $0.20 (up 50% year-over-year) with record adjusted EBITDA of $1.3 billion. However, the stock fell approximately 3% as management raised concerns about fuel costs surging more than 40% in the current quarter. The company announced a $2.5 billion share buyback and launched PROPEL, a long-term strategy targeting greater than 16% return on invested capital, 50% adjusted earnings per share growth from 2025, approximately 40% cash-to-shareholders allocation, and a 2.75x net debt/EBITDA target by 2029. Shares are down 26.6% in the past month due to geopolitical tensions. Analysts rate the stock as Strong Buy with a 12-month price target of $34.17, representing 32.85% upside.
Apr 3Carnival beats Q1 2026 EPS by 11% with record bookings, but guidance cut on fuel cost and tariff concerns overshadows gains.Mixed▶
Carnival reported record Q1 2026 results with revenue of $6.2B, adjusted EPS of $0.20 (up 50% YoY), and adjusted EBITDA of $1.3B. Launched PROPEL program and announced $2.5B share buyback. However, management lowered full-year EPS guidance by 10.9% citing elevated fuel costs and tariff uncertainty, causing stock to plunge 26.6% in a month. Shareholders vote April 17 on unification of DLC structure.
Apr 2Carnival faces mixed analyst sentiment with HSBC upgrade offset by Bernstein price target cut; strong bookings amid fuel cost pressures.Mixed▶
Carnival Corporation faces mixed analyst sentiment following HSBC's late-March upgrade to Buy and Bernstein's maintenance of Market Perform rating with lowered price target from $33 to $28.70. The cruise operator hosted nearly 14 million guests in 2025 across nine cruise line brands. Company navigates strong bookings and operational gains against rising fuel costs and adjusted earnings guidance challenges. Analyst consensus shows Buy rating (22 analysts) with average price target of $34.17.
Sector Peers
| Company | Price | Day | 1M | Fwd P/E | Beta | Mkt Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BKNGBOOKING | $169.91 | +0.92% | -4.4% | 13.7x | — | $130.5B |
| MARMARRIOTT | $354.99 | -1.85% | +7.0% | 27.7x | 1.10 | $95.8B |
| ABNBAIRBNB | $141.78 | +1.01% | +10.7% | 24.3x | 1.16 | $83.4B |
| HLTHILTON | $317.85 | -1.92% | +5.6% | 31.1x | 1.11 | $73.8B |
| RCLROYAL | $265.67 | +0.72% | -4.3% | 13.3x | 1.94 | $71.4B |
| CCLCARNIVAL | $26.66 | +0.55% | +2.1% | 10.2x | 2.48 | $36.7B |
Key Fundamentals
RSI (14-Day)
52-Week Range
Moving Averages
Price below 200d MA — bearish structure.