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Royal Caribbean Q4 Earnings Lag, Stock Up on Robust 2026 View
ZACKS· 2026-01-29 16:25
Core Insights - Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCL) reported fourth-quarter 2025 results with adjusted earnings and revenues missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate, but both metrics increased year-over-year. The stock rose 6.2% in pre-market trading due to strong guidance for 2026 [1][9]. Financial Performance - In Q4 2025, RCL reported adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $2.80, missing the consensus estimate of $2.81, compared to $1.63 in the prior-year quarter [4]. - Quarterly revenues were $4,259 million, below the consensus estimate of $4,269 million, but up 13.2% year-over-year from $3.76 billion [4]. - Passenger ticket revenues reached $2.94 billion, up from $2.6 billion in the prior-year quarter, while onboard and other revenues increased to $1.32 billion from $1.16 billion [5]. - Total cruise operating expenses were $2.24 billion, a 9.3% increase year-over-year [5]. Booking and Demand Trends - RCL has seen record booking momentum, with about two-thirds of 2026 sailings already booked at higher prices, reflecting strong demand [9][10]. - The company experienced the seven strongest booking weeks in its history, driven by strong Cyber Sales and a solid start to the WAVE season [10]. - Spending trends are also improving, with onboard and pre-cruise purchases outpacing prior years, indicating higher guest participation and pricing [11]. Future Outlook - For Q1 2026, RCL expects adjusted EPS to be in the range of $3.18-$3.28, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate at $3.00 per share [13]. - The company anticipates net yields to increase by 2.4-2.9% on a reported basis year-over-year [14]. - For 2026, adjusted EPS is projected to be between $15.41 and $15.55, lower than the previous expectation of $17.70-$18.10, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate at $17.72 [15]. Strategic Initiatives - RCL is increasing investments in next-generation vacation offerings, including the launch of new Discovery Class ships and the expansion of Celebrity River Cruises [3]. - The rollout of five new exclusive destinations by 2028 aims to deepen the company's appeal and expand its addressable market [3].