Cruise vacation market

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Royal Caribbean (RCL) Up 8.4% Since Last Earnings Report: Can It Continue?
ZACKSยท 2025-08-28 16:36
Core Viewpoint - Royal Caribbean's recent earnings report showed mixed results, with adjusted earnings exceeding estimates while revenues fell short, indicating a complex financial landscape for the company as it prepares for future performance [2][3]. Financial Performance - In Q2 2025, Royal Caribbean reported adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $4.38, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.10, and up from $3.21 in the prior-year quarter [3]. - Quarterly revenues reached $4,538 million, which was below the consensus estimate of $4,550 million but represented a 10.4% increase year-over-year from $4.11 billion [3]. - Passenger ticket revenues were $3.2 billion, up from $2.9 billion in the prior-year quarter, aligning with estimates [4]. - Onboard and other revenues increased to $1.34 billion from $1.22 billion year-over-year, also meeting estimates [4]. - Total cruise operating expenses were $2.28 billion, reflecting a 6.1% year-over-year increase [4]. Cost and Yield Metrics - Net yields rose by 5.2% on a constant currency basis and 5.3% on a reported basis compared to Q2 2024 [5]. - Net cruise costs, excluding fuel, per Available Passenger Cruise Day (APCD) increased by 2.5% on a reported basis and 2.1% at constant currency from the previous year [5]. Cash and Debt Position - As of June 30, 2025, Royal Caribbean had cash and cash equivalents of $735 million, up from $388 million at the end of 2024 [6]. - Long-term debt decreased to $17.61 billion from $18.47 billion at the end of 2024, with the current portion of long-term debt also declining from $1.6 billion to $1.4 billion [6]. Booking Trends - The company is experiencing strong booking momentum, with load factors for 2025 and 2026 exceeding previous years and at higher pricing levels [7]. - There has been an acceleration in bookings, particularly for close-in sailings, contributing to the second-quarter outperformance [7]. - Demand remains robust across all product categories, supported by strong digital and commercial performance [7]. - Upcoming ship launches and the newly announced Royal Beach Club have generated significant interest, indicating positive consumer trends [8][9]. Future Outlook - For Q3 2025, Royal Caribbean expects depreciation and amortization expenses between $425-$435 million and net interest expenses between $235 million and $245 million [10]. - Adjusted EPS is projected to be in the range of $5.55-$5.65 [10]. - For the full year 2025, adjusted EPS is anticipated to be between $15.41 and $15.55, an increase from previous expectations [12]. - The company expects net yields to increase by 3.5-4% year-over-year [12]. Estimate Revisions - There has been a downward trend in estimates revisions over the past month, indicating a shift in market expectations [13][15]. - Royal Caribbean currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), suggesting an expectation of in-line returns in the coming months [15].