Carnival (US:CCL) Financial Modeling Prep·2025-09-29 00:00Core Viewpoint - Carnival Corporation & plc is experiencing a notable increase in its consensus price target, reflecting growing optimism among analysts regarding its future prospects [2][6] Group 1: Price Target and Analyst Sentiment - The consensus price target for Carnival has risen from $28.19 to $37.33 over the past year, indicating a positive shift in analyst outlook [2][6] - Analyst Stuart Gordon from Berenberg Bank has set a lower price target of $23, suggesting a more cautious perspective amidst the overall optimism [2] Group 2: Factors Contributing to Positive Outlook - The recovery in the travel industry, aided by the easing of global travel restrictions, is benefiting Carnival, particularly as the summer quarter is typically its strongest [3] - Expectations for earnings per share (EPS) of $1.32 and revenue of $8.1 billion in the upcoming quarter are positive indicators for the company's outlook [3] - Operational improvements and strategic initiatives, including the introduction of new Sea Change targets, may enhance valuation multiples and boost analyst confidence [4] Group 3: Challenges and Upcoming Earnings - Rising costs pose a challenge that could impact Carnival's profit margins, particularly with increased expenses related to the opening of Celebration Key [5] - The upcoming third-quarter earnings results are anticipated to be mixed, prompting investors to closely monitor developments and analyst updates [5][6]