Carnival (US:CCL) ZACKSยท2025-08-21 16:01Core Insights - Carnival Corporation & plc (CCL) is focusing on fleet expansion to enhance guest experience, improve fuel efficiency, and meet rising demand in North America and Europe [1][9] - The company reported record revenues and healthy occupancy rates in Q2 2025, but faces challenges with elevated operating and financing costs [2][4] - Broader industry trends, such as resilient global travel demand, support Carnival's growth strategy, although challenges like fluctuating fuel prices and inflation persist [3][4] Fleet Expansion and Financial Performance - New ship deliveries are expected to bolster growth and efficiency, with early indications showing improved margins due to lower unit costs on newer vessels [2][4] - Carnival's shares have increased by 30.5% over the past three months, outperforming the industry growth of 14.9% [8][9] - The forward price-to-earnings ratio for CCL is 13.3X, significantly lower than the industry average of 18.98X, indicating potential undervaluation [10] Competitor Landscape - Competitors like Royal Caribbean Group (RCL) and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) are also focusing on fleet expansion to enhance profitability [5][6] - Royal Caribbean emphasizes innovative mega-ships to drive pricing power and onboard revenue, while Norwegian adopts a more measured approach with premium experiences [5][6][7] - The ability of Carnival to keep pace with these competitors will be crucial for its competitive positioning in the industry [7] Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CCL's fiscal 2025 earnings indicates a year-over-year increase of 40.9%, with estimates for fiscal 2026 showing a 13.8% rise [11]