There have been plenty of industries taking big hits this month before Monday's recovery on a whiff of hope for an endgame to the escalating conflict in Iran. Cruise line stocks have been particularly hard hit, taking on water from two shots related to the war. Shares of the country's three largest operators -- Royal Caribbean (NYSE: RCL), Carnival (NYSE: CCL), and Norwegian Cruise Line (NYSE: NCLH) -- had fallen 15%, 24%, and 24%, respectively, in March before Monday's roughly 6% spike for all three. Lea ...

Investors looking for stocks in the Leisure and Recreation Services sector might want to consider either Expedia (EXPE) or Viking Holdings (VIK) . But which of these two stocks presents investors with the better value opportunity right now? Let's take a closer look.Everyone has their own methods for finding great value opportunities, but our model includes pairing an impressive grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system with a strong Zacks Rank. The Zacks Rank favors stocks with strong earnings ...

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Viking® (www.viking.com) (NYSE: VIK) today announced that the Viking Libra®, the world's first hydrogen-powered cruise ship capable of operating with zero emissions, was "floated out,†marking a major construction milestone and the first time the ship has touched water. Scheduled for delivery in November 2026, the Viking Libra will spend her inaugural season sailing itineraries in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe. "The float out of the Viking Libra represents. ...

Company Overview - Viking Holdings Ltd (NYSE:VIK) is recognized as one of the best young stocks to buy and hold for 20 years [1] - The company operates in passenger shipping and other forms of passenger transport across North America, the UK, and internationally, through its River & Ocean segments [5] Recent Developments - On March 11, Viking Holdings Ltd announced the delivery of its newest river cruise ship, the Viking Eldir, built by Meyer's Neptun Werft in Germany [1] - The Viking Eldir has a capacity of 190 passengers in 95 staterooms and includes features such as a square bow, three full decks, an indoor and outdoor Aquavit Terrace, asymmetric corridors, and true two-room suites [2] Strategic Growth Plans - CEO Torstein Hagen emphasized the ship's role in expanding access to exclusive docking spots, which will attract more travelers to Viking's offerings [4] - The company plans to add 22 more river ships by 2028, increasing its total fleet to 112, along with 10 ocean ships and 2 expedition ships by 2031 [4]

Core Insights - Viking has taken delivery of its newest river ship, the Viking Eldir, which will enhance its fleet of Viking Longships and operate on popular European itineraries [1][1][1] Company Developments - The Viking Eldir can accommodate 190 guests in 95 staterooms and features innovative design elements such as a space-saving square bow and an indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace [1][1][1] - The ship will sail on itineraries including the Rhine Getaway, Grand European Tour, and Christmas on the Rhine, among others [1][1][1] Fleet Expansion Plans - Viking plans to take delivery of 22 additional river ships by 2028, 10 ocean ships by 2031, and 2 expedition ships by 2031, aiming for a total of 112 river ships and 25 ocean and expedition ships by those years [1][1][1] Industry Position - Viking is recognized as a leader in experiential travel, with over 100 ships exploring 21 rivers and five oceans, and has received numerous awards for its services [1][1][1]

Industry Overview - The cruise line industry is attracting investor interest despite economic concerns, with travelers continuing to fill cabins and prompting companies to build more ships [1] - The industry's dynamics highlight the differences between Royal Caribbean and Viking Holdings, with Royal Caribbean being the second-largest cruise line by passenger volume [1] Royal Caribbean - Royal Caribbean is the largest cruise line stock by market capitalization, offering a more upscale experience compared to competitors like Carnival [4] - The company achieved an occupancy rate of almost 110% in 2025, leading to strong demand and the addition of new ships, with four more expected by 2029 [4] - Royal Caribbean reported $18 billion in revenue for 2025, an 8% increase year-over-year, and its stock rose approximately 20% over the last year, with a P/E ratio of 19 [5] Viking Holdings - Viking has found success with smaller ships that cater to upscale travelers, focusing on child-free experiences and longer port stays, capturing over 4% of industry revenue while carrying less than 1% of passengers [6] - The company achieved a 96% occupancy rate in 2025, with plans to launch 27 river ships by 2028 and 10 ocean ships by 2031, expanding from its current fleet of approximately 90 river ships and 12 ocean ships [7] - Viking generated over $6.5 billion in revenue in 2025, a 22% increase from the previous year, and its stock has risen nearly 55% since it began trading in spring 2024 [8]

Core Viewpoint - Investors are evaluating the value of Expedia (EXPE) and Viking Holdings (VIK) in the Leisure and Recreation Services sector to determine which stock presents a better investment opportunity [1] Valuation Metrics - Expedia has a forward P/E ratio of 13.14, while Viking Holdings has a forward P/E of 21.72 [5] - The PEG ratio for Expedia is 0.67, indicating a more favorable valuation compared to Viking Holdings, which has a PEG ratio of 1.33 [5] - Expedia's P/B ratio is 12.1, significantly lower than Viking Holdings' P/B of 28.52, suggesting that Expedia is undervalued relative to its book value [6] Zacks Rank - Expedia holds a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy), indicating a positive earnings outlook, while Viking Holdings has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [3] Value Grades - Expedia has been assigned a Value grade of B, whereas Viking Holdings has a Value grade of C, reflecting stronger valuation metrics for Expedia [6] Conclusion - Given the stronger estimate revision activity and more attractive valuation metrics, value investors are likely to favor Expedia over Viking Holdings at this time [7]

Industry Overview - The Leisure and Recreation Services and Products industries are benefiting from optimized business processes, consistent partnerships, and digital initiatives, with rising disposable incomes in the United States driving demand for leisure and recreation supported by increased personal consumption expenditure [1] Investment Opportunities - Five leisure and recreation stocks have been identified for investment: Expedia Group Inc. (EXPE), Viking Holdings Ltd. (VIK), Johnson Outdoors Inc. (JOUT), Callaway Golf Co. (CALY), and MasterCraft Boat Holdings Inc. (MCFT), all carrying either a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) [2] Expedia Group Inc. (EXPE) - EXPE reported a strong fourth quarter with adjusted earnings up 58% year over year, surpassing estimates, while revenues increased by 11.4%, driven by strong B2B momentum with segment revenues and gross bookings rising 24% and advertising revenues increasing by 19% [3][4] - Total gross bookings for EXPE rose 11% to $27 billion, supported by resilient lodging demand and growth in booked room nights, with adjusted EBITDA climbing 32% and margins expanding by 368 basis points [4] - The expected revenue and earnings growth rates for EXPE are 7.3% and 20.7%, respectively, for the current year, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings improving by 7.2% over the past 30 days [5] Viking Holdings Ltd. (VIK) - VIK is experiencing strong consumer demand and a solid booking environment, focusing on affluent customers to navigate the current market downturn, with increased onboard spending contributing positively [6][7] - The company is enhancing guest experiences through strategic investments and digital innovations, alongside fleet expansion and geographic diversification to drive growth [7] - VIK's expected revenue and earnings growth rates are 12.9% and 25.7%, respectively, for the current year, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings remaining flat over the past 30 days [8] Johnson Outdoors Inc. (JOUT) - JOUT is a leading global outdoor recreation company known for innovative, high-quality products across categories such as Watercraft, Marine Electronics, Diving, and Outdoor Equipment [9] - The company’s well-known brands include Old Town canoes, Ocean Kayak, and Minn Kota motors, among others [10] - JOUT's expected revenue and earnings growth rates are 9.5% and over 100%, respectively, for the current year, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings improving by 9.5% over the past 30 days [11] Callaway Golf Co. (CALY) - CALY is a premium golf equipment and apparel company with a diverse portfolio of brands, operating in segments including Topgolf and Golf Equipment [12] - The expected revenue and earnings growth rates for CALY are -42.3% and 85.7%, respectively, for the current year, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings improving by 14.7% over the past seven days [13] MasterCraft Boat Holdings Inc. (MCFT) - MCFT designs, manufactures, and markets recreational powerboats, offering a range of products including boats and aftermarket parts [14] - The expected revenue and earnings growth rates for MCFT are 8.3% and 64.1%, respectively, for the current year, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings improving by 21.8% over the past 30 days [15]

Core Insights - Viking Holdings (VIK) reported strong fourth-quarter 2025 results, with earnings and revenues exceeding expectations and showing year-over-year improvement [1][9] Financial Performance - Quarterly earnings were 67 cents per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 54 cents, reflecting a 49% increase from the previous year [1][9] - Total revenues reached $1.72 billion, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.62 billion, and improved by 27.8% year-over-year [2][9] - Adjusted EBITDA was $462.8 million, a 51.3% year-over-year growth, driven by increased Capacity Passenger Cruise Days (PCDs), higher occupancy, and higher revenue per PCD [2] - Adjusted gross margin increased by 27.3% compared to the same quarter last year [2][9] Operational Metrics - Capacity PCDs grew by 14.7% year-over-year due to fleet expansion, which included six additional river vessels and two ocean ships [3] - Occupancy for the fourth quarter was reported at 95.0% [3] - Vessel operating expenses increased by 15% year-over-year, with expenses excluding fuel rising by 17.7% [3] Financial Position - As of December 31, 2025, VIK had $3.8 billion in cash and cash equivalents, along with an undrawn revolver facility of $1 billion [4] - The company's net debt stood at $2.10 billion [4] - VIK currently holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) [4] Industry Comparison - Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH) reported mixed results for the fourth quarter of 2025, with earnings meeting estimates but revenues missing [5][6] - Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation (VAC) also reported mixed results, with adjusted earnings beating estimates while revenues fell short [7][8]

Viking Holdings Ltd (NYSE:VIK) reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter financial results on Tuesday.Viking Holdings reported quarterly earnings of 67 cents per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of 54 cents per share. The company reported quarterly sales of $1.724 billion which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $1.624 billion.Viking Holdings shares rose 0.3% to trade at $76.61 on Wednesday.These analysts made changes to their price targets on Viking Holdings following earnings announc ...