Group 1: Carnival - Carnival has experienced a strong recovery, with its stock up 258% since the end of 2022, following eight consecutive quarters of record revenue [3][4] - The company raised its full-year guidance for net yields to 5%, indicating strong profitability, with analysts expecting adjusted earnings per share to reach $2, a 40% increase year-over-year [4] - Despite a high debt burden of $27 billion, Carnival's debt-to-equity ratio has improved from a peak of 5.75 in 2023 to 2.72, allowing for reduced interest expenses and a lower risk profile [5] - Carnival is launching new destinations, such as Celebration Key in Grand Bahama, and expanding RelaxAway in Half Moon Cay, which are expected to drive future demand [6][7] - Analysts project Carnival's earnings to reach $3.10 by fiscal 2029, growing at a compound annual rate of nearly 17% from fiscal 2024, with the stock trading around 10 times those estimates, indicating significant upside potential [8] Group 2: Alibaba - Alibaba is a leading Chinese tech company with strong positions in e-commerce and cloud computing, and its stock appears undervalued despite recent recovery [9] - The company reported a 7% year-over-year revenue increase and a 23% earnings growth last quarter, yet trades at a forward earnings multiple of 12, reflecting geopolitical risks and competition [10] - Alibaba's domestic e-commerce segment saw a 1% decline in direct sales year-over-year, but total revenue grew 9% due to increased seller fees, showcasing resilience [11] - The international e-commerce segment, particularly AliExpress, grew revenue by 22% year-over-year, with expectations of achieving profitability in the current fiscal year [12] - Alibaba Cloud reported an 18% year-over-year revenue increase, driven by strong demand for AI services, which have seen triple-digit growth for seven consecutive quarters [13] - The launch of the Qwen3 AI model and a partnership with Apple to integrate AI into iPhones in China could further boost Alibaba's stock performance [14]
2 Bargain Stocks to Buy Now