Core Insights - Princess Cruises is launching an evolved version of the "Spellbound by Magic Castle" experience aboard the new Star Princess, enhancing the immersive entertainment offering at sea [1][2][5] Group 1: Experience Overview - The new Spellbound by Magic Castle experience pays homage to the golden age of magic, particularly honoring Richard Valentine Pitchford, known as Cardini, a master of sleight-of-hand [2] - The venue will feature uniquely themed spaces such as a whimsical ticketing booth, the Inner Circle, Cardini Bar, a backstage area, and the Peacock Theater, all designed to create a magical atmosphere [3] Group 2: Culinary Offerings - An exclusive cocktail menu will be introduced at the Cardini Bar, featuring handcrafted drinks that align with the magical theme, including innovative options like The Inner Circle and Cardini [4] Group 3: Accessibility and Pricing - The Spellbound experience will be accessible to all guests aboard Star Princess, with multiple showtimes each night. Admission is priced at $45 per guest, which includes two signature cocktails and a magic show [5] - Unlike the original concept, there will be no dinner service prior to the show, encouraging guests to dine at least two hours before their reservation [6] Group 4: Ship Features - Star Princess, currently under construction, will accommodate 4,300 guests and feature 30 distinct dining and bar venues, along with luxurious accommodations [7] - The ship will include over 1,500 balcony staterooms, providing guests with panoramic views, and notable venues like The Dome and The Princess Arena [8] Group 5: Inaugural Season - Star Princess will debut with an inaugural season featuring sailings to various destinations including the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Panama Canal, and Alaska, with bookings currently available [9]

Economic Overview - U.S. stocks have experienced a rally due to impressive economic data, leading to optimism among investors regarding potential Federal Reserve interest rate cuts [1][8] - Expectations for a rate cut in September increased after inflation data showed a slower-than-expected rise [2][8] Inflation Data - The consumer price index (CPI) rose 0.2% month-over-month in July, lower than the consensus estimate of 0.3% [4] - Year-over-year, CPI increased by 2.7% in July, also below the expected 2.8% [5] - Core CPI, excluding food and energy, rose 0.3% in July, aligning with expectations, while year-over-year core CPI increased by 3.1%, slightly above the 3% forecast [5][6] Consumer Discretionary Stocks - Investing in consumer discretionary stocks is recommended due to the favorable economic outlook and anticipated rate cuts [2][11] - Notable consumer discretionary stocks include: - **The Walt Disney Company (DIS)**: Expected earnings growth rate of 17.7% for the current year, with revenues of $91.4 billion in fiscal 2024 [9][10] - **Carnival Corporation & plc (CCL)**: Expected earnings growth rate of 40.9% for the current year [12][13] - **Hasbro, Inc. (HAS)**: Expected earnings growth rate of 19.5% for the current year [14] - **Netflix, Inc. (NFLX)**: Expected earnings growth rate of 31.4% for the current year [15][16] - **Ralph Lauren Corporation (RL)**: Expected earnings growth rate of 19.8% for the current year [17]

Core Viewpoint - The Invesco S&P 500 Pure Growth ETF (RPG) is a smart beta ETF that aims to provide broad exposure to the large-cap growth segment of the market, with a focus on stocks exhibiting strong growth characteristics [1][5]. Group 1: Smart Beta ETFs - The ETF industry has been dominated by market capitalization weighted indexes, which are designed for investors who believe in market efficiency [2]. - Smart beta ETFs, like RPG, utilize non-cap weighted strategies to select stocks based on specific fundamental characteristics, aiming to enhance risk-return performance [3]. Group 2: Fund Details - RPG is managed by Invesco and has accumulated over $1.74 billion in assets, categorizing it as an average-sized ETF in its segment [5]. - The fund seeks to match the performance of the S&P 500 Pure Growth Index, which focuses on securities with strong growth characteristics [5]. Group 3: Costs and Expenses - RPG has an annual operating expense ratio of 0.35%, which is competitive within its peer group [6]. - The fund offers a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 0.29% [6]. Group 4: Sector Exposure and Holdings - The ETF has a significant allocation in the Industrials sector, comprising about 25% of the portfolio, followed by Consumer Discretionary and Information Technology [7]. - Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCL) is the largest individual holding at approximately 2.79% of total assets, with the top 10 holdings accounting for about 21.98% of total assets [8]. Group 5: Performance Metrics - Year-to-date, RPG has returned approximately 13.77%, and it has increased about 29.84% over the last 12 months as of August 14, 2025 [9]. - The fund has a beta of 1.14 and a standard deviation of 22.01% over the trailing three-year period, indicating medium risk [10]. Group 6: Alternatives - Other ETFs in the large-cap growth space include Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) and Invesco QQQ (QQQ), with VUG having $186.06 billion in assets and QQQ at $366.83 billion [11]. - VUG has a lower expense ratio of 0.04%, while QQQ charges 0.20% [11].

Core Insights - The Star Princess, the second Sphere-Class ship from Princess Cruises, is set to debut on October 4, 2025, after successful sea trials [1][2] - The ship is designed to reduce emissions and is powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), marking a significant advancement in environmental sustainability for the cruise industry [2][5] - Star Princess will feature 30 dining and bar venues, advanced entertainment options, and luxurious accommodations, catering to 4,300 guests [5][6] Company Overview - Princess Cruises is recognized as a leading cruise brand, known for delivering exceptional vacation experiences across various global destinations [8] - The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc, which is publicly traded on NYSE and LSE [8] Technical Features - The vessel is equipped with two Azipod propulsion units for enhanced maneuverability and efficiency, along with four controllable pitch bow thrusters [3] - Star Princess has a gross tonnage of 177,800 tons and includes over 1,500 balcony staterooms for panoramic views [5][6] Inaugural Season - The inaugural season will include voyages to the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Panama Canal, and Alaska, with bookings currently available [7]

Core Insights - Princess Cruises announced its most expansive Alaska cruise and cruisetour season for 2027, featuring nearly 60 years of expertise in the region [1][10] - The season will include a fleet of eight ships and stays at five signature wilderness lodges, emphasizing immersive travel experiences [1][10] - The 2027 Alaska season opens for sale on August 12, 2025 [1] Cruise Highlights - The season will feature 187 departures across 17 unique itineraries from five homeports: Seattle, Vancouver (B.C.), Anchorage (Whittier), San Francisco, and Los Angeles [2] - Star Princess, a next-generation Sphere Class ship, will return for her second season in Alaska, offering 7-day Inside Passage cruises roundtrip from Seattle [2][3] - The cruise will include four glacier-viewing experiences: Glacier Bay National Park, Hubbard Glacier, College Fjord, and Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier [5] Unique Experiences - Princess Cruises aims to bring guests closer to the local culture, wildlife, and glaciers, enhancing the overall travel experience [3] - The company offers 28 cruisetour itineraries that combine cruises with land adventures, including access to Denali National Park [7][10] - Exclusive booking offers include up to 40% off and free sailing for the 3rd and 4th guests on select sailings [10] Fleet and Itineraries - The fleet includes Star Princess, Coral Princess, Crown Princess, Discovery Princess, Emerald Princess, Island Princess, Royal Princess, and Ruby Princess [5][9] - The company will provide scenic and charming port calls, including Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Haines, Sitka, Icy Strait Point, and Victoria, B.C. [5] - Extended adventures will be available with 9- and 10-day Inside Passage voyages [6] Company Background - Princess Cruises is recognized as the top cruise line in Alaska, having won the "Best Cruise Line in Alaska" award 21 times [10] - The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc and is known for delivering dream vacations in sought-after destinations [8]

With a career spanning more than 35 years, Sparacino joins from Four Seasons Resorts and will lead the evolution of Silversea's award-winning culinary program MIAMI, Aug. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Silversea, the leading experiential luxury and expedition travel brand, has announced the appointment of Gianluca Sparacino as its new Global Head of Food and Beverage, effective August 18, 2025. A dynamic hospitality leader and culinary strategist, Sparacino brings deep experience across the finest epicurean desti ...

Core Viewpoint - Carnival, Lyft, and Peloton are identified as undervalued turnaround opportunities despite the S&P 500 being near its all-time high and historically expensive [1][2]. Group 1: Carnival - Carnival, the leading cruise line operator, faced significant challenges during fiscal 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic, leading to a drastic increase in debt from $11.5 billion in fiscal 2019 to $33.2 billion in fiscal 2021 [4]. - The company has since stabilized, attracting more passengers and achieving over 100% occupancy, returning to profitability in fiscal 2024 with reduced net debt of $27.5 billion [5]. - Analysts project Carnival's revenue and EPS to grow at a CAGR of 5% and 22% from fiscal 2024 to fiscal 2027, with the stock trading at just 13 times next year's earnings, still over 55% below its all-time high from January 2018 [6]. Group 2: Lyft - Lyft, the second-largest ride-sharing provider in the U.S. and Canada, struggled during the pandemic but has rebounded by enhancing competitive rates and expanding its service offerings [7][8]. - In the latest quarter, Lyft reported a 10% year-over-year increase in active riders to 26.1 million and a 14% rise in total rides to 234.8 million, both record highs, yet the stock trades over 80% below its March 2019 peak [9]. - Analysts expect Lyft's revenue and adjusted EBITDA to grow at a CAGR of 12% and 28%, respectively, with GAAP net income projected to grow at a CAGR of 134% from 2024 to 2027, while the stock trades at less than one times this year's adjusted EBITDA [10][11]. Group 3: Peloton - Peloton experienced significant growth during the pandemic but has faced declining sales post-lockdown due to increased competition from cheaper alternatives [12]. - The company is focusing on stabilizing margins and cash flow by expanding subscriptions and reducing costs, leading to improved gross margins despite declining revenue [13]. - Peloton's stock trades over 95% below its January 2021 high, with an enterprise value of $3.3 billion, making it appear cheap at 1.3 times next year's sales, presenting potential for recovery if it can grow its subscriber base [14][15].

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of conducting personal in-depth research and due diligence before making investment decisions, highlighting the inherent risks involved in trading [3]. Group 1 - The analysis is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional investment advice [3]. - There is a clear disclaimer regarding the lack of any stock, option, or similar derivative positions in the companies mentioned, indicating a neutral stance [2]. - The article expresses that past performance does not guarantee future results, reinforcing the need for careful consideration by investors [4].

Core Insights - Zacks Premium offers various tools for investors to enhance their stock market strategies and confidence [1] - The Zacks Style Scores are designed to help investors select stocks with the highest potential to outperform the market in the short term [2] Zacks Style Scores Overview - The Style Scores categorize stocks into four types: Value Score, Growth Score, Momentum Score, and VGM Score, each focusing on different investment strategies [3][4][5][6] - Value Score identifies undervalued stocks using financial ratios [3] - Growth Score assesses a company's financial health and future growth potential [4] - Momentum Score capitalizes on existing price trends and earnings outlook [5] - VGM Score combines all three styles to provide a comprehensive evaluation of stocks [6] Zacks Rank and Performance - The Zacks Rank is a proprietary model that utilizes earnings estimate revisions to aid in portfolio building [7] - Stocks rated 1 (Strong Buy) have historically achieved an average annual return of +23.75% since 1988, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 [8] - There are over 800 top-rated stocks available, making the selection process potentially overwhelming for investors [9] Investment Strategy Recommendations - For optimal returns, investors should focus on stocks with a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 and Style Scores of A or B [10] - Stocks with a 3 (Hold) rank should also have Style Scores of A or B to maximize upside potential [10] - The direction of earnings estimate revisions is crucial when selecting stocks to invest in [11] Company Spotlight: Norwegian Cruise Line - Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. is a leading cruise line operator with a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) and a VGM Score of A [12] - The company is projected to experience year-over-year earnings growth of 12.1% for the current fiscal year, with a Growth Style Score of B [13] - Recent upward revisions in earnings estimates and a strong average earnings surprise of +29.1% make NCLH a noteworthy consideration for growth investors [13]

Core Insights - Princess Cruises is expanding its Makoto Ocean specialty sushi restaurant to Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess, starting this Fall [1][4] - The restaurant features Edomae-style sushi by Chef Makoto Okuwa, known for its authentic flavors and modern presentation [2][3] - The expansion aims to enhance the dining experience for guests sailing to regions like Antarctica, Southeast Asia, and Japan [2][3] Company Overview - Princess Cruises is recognized as a leading cruise brand, offering dream vacations to millions in sought-after destinations with elite service [6] - The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc, which is publicly traded [6] Culinary Experience - Chef Makoto Okuwa brings over 25 years of culinary expertise, offering a refined yet approachable dining experience [2][3] - The menu includes premium sushi and unique dishes like truffle salmon and snow crab temaki, along with handcrafted cocktails [4][5] - The restaurant accommodates 80 guests and charges $60 per person, included for those with the Princess Premier Package [5]