Carnival Corporation (NYSE:CCL) could highlight demand and ease investor concerns about a consumer slowdown when the cruise line company reports fourth-quarter financial results Friday before market open.Here are the earnings estimates, what analysts are saying ahead of the report and key items to watch.Earnings Estimates Analysts expect Carnival to report fourth-quarter revenue of $6.37 billion, up from revenue of $5.94 billion in last year's fourth quarter, according to data from Benzinga Pro.The company ...

Core Insights - The company anticipates a slowdown in consumer spending due to inflationary pressures experienced in 2023 and 2024, which has led to a more cautious consumer behavior in 2025 [4][6]. Group 1: Consumer Environment - The company has observed a more pensive and uncertain consumer, resulting in cautious purchasing patterns [6]. - In February, the company reported a decline in 12 categories, indicating a slowdown in sales across various product lines [6]. Group 2: Market Dynamics - The company entered 2025 expecting a slowdown, influenced by strong volume growth in the latter half of 2024 [4]. - Competing pressures on both consumers and retail partners, particularly in the U.S., have contributed to the current market dynamics [3].