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Operational Highlights June Booking Position 2026 *The KPIs provided are sourced from the Company's (unaudited) booking system. Consequently, there may be variations or minor discrepancies in absolute figures and periodization compared to the reported financial statements. Revenue in currency (for ACR) is based on the booking system currency rate. Occupancy in June reached 76%, in line with last year. Average Cabin Revenue (ACR) increased by 23% compared to June 2024. Total ticket revenue grew by more than ...

Core Insights - Princess Cruises is launching a new entertainment lineup aboard its Sphere-class ship, Star Princess, set to sail on October 4, 2025, featuring original theatrical productions, immersive concerts, and global performances [1][12] Entertainment Offerings - The ship will host two original theatrical productions: "Meridian," a cinematic spectacle exploring themes of love and fate, and "Illuminate," a circus-themed show that reveals wonder in the unexpected [3][4] - "Viva La Música," a high-energy celebration featuring Latin music, returns with choreography by Liz Imperio, known for her work with major artists [6] - The entertainment extends beyond traditional theater, including vibrant deck soirées, themed events, and a reimagined champagne waterfall experience [7] Unique Venues - The Dome will feature the Princess Cruises Candlelight Concert Series, offering a unique blend of classical music and storytelling in a candlelit setting [8] - The Piazza will serve as a lively hub for performances, including "Princess Jamz," showcasing the talents of the Princess World Orchestra [10] Special Events - The Celestial Champagne Soirée will debut in the Piazza, combining multimedia elements with the iconic Champagne Waterfall, enhancing the onboard experience [11] Ship Specifications - Star Princess is designed to accommodate 4,300 guests and has a gross tonnage of 175,500 tons, built by Fincantieri [12]

Core Insights - Carnival Corporation & plc (CCL) is enhancing investor confidence through operational momentum and significant balance sheet improvements [1][4] - The company has made substantial progress in refinancing its debt, which is expected to lower net interest expenses and simplify its capital structure [2][4] Financial Performance - In Q2 of fiscal 2025, Carnival prepaid $350 million of its $1.4 billion notes due in 2026 and refinanced the remaining amount with senior unsecured notes maturing in 2031, projected to reduce net interest expense by over $20 million through early 2026 [1][2] - Total debt as of May 31, 2025, was $27.3 billion, a slight decrease from $27.48 billion reported on Nov. 30, 2024 [2] - The net debt-to-EBITDA ratio improved to 3.7x in Q2, down from 4.1x in Q1, indicating effective deleveraging [3][7] Market Position - CCL shares have surged 62.1% over the past three months, outperforming the industry growth of 36.2% [5] - The stock is currently trading at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple of 13.53X, below the industry average of 19.88X, suggesting it is undervalued compared to peers [8] Earnings Outlook - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Carnival's fiscal 2025 earnings per share has been revised upward from $1.87 to $1.98, reflecting strong analyst confidence [10] - Projections indicate a 39.4% rise in fiscal 2025 earnings for Carnival, compared to expected increases of 30.9%, 11.5%, and 16.5% for competitors Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise, and OneSpaWorld, respectively [11]

Core Insights - Carnival Corporation & plc (CCL) shares have increased by 20.3% in the past month, outperforming the Zacks Leisure and Recreation Services industry's growth of 11.8% and the S&P 500's growth of 3.7% [1][2] Financial Performance - Carnival has achieved record-breaking earnings, with EBITDA rising 26% year over year and net income more than tripling [6] - The company has met its 2026 financial targets 18 months ahead of schedule, indicating strong commercial execution and operational discipline [6] - For fiscal 2025, Carnival raised its adjusted EBITDA forecast to approximately $6.9 billion, up from $6.7 billion, reflecting over 10% year-over-year growth [13] Demand and Pricing - Net yields increased by 6.5% in the fiscal second quarter, driven by strong ticket pricing and onboard spending [7] - 93% of 2025 capacity is already booked at historically high prices, indicating strong demand and pricing power [8] Strategic Developments - The anticipated July debut of Celebration Key is expected to generate strong consumer interest and command pricing premiums [10] - Carnival is modernizing its fleet with the AIDA Evolution program and launching new ships with family-friendly amenities [11] Analyst Sentiment - Analysts maintain a positive outlook on Carnival, with an average price target of $30.04, suggesting a potential upside of 4.8% from the last closing price [23] - The company holds an average brokerage recommendation of 1.60, indicating a favorable outlook [24] Stock Valuation - Carnival stock is currently trading at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple of 13.40X, below the industry average of 19.79X, presenting an attractive investment opportunity [17]

Group 1: Carnival Corporation - Carnival is the leading global cruise operator, recovering from extreme debt and showing strong business performance with stock still 60% off its highs [4] - The stock price has risen 64% over the past year, trading at a price-to-sales ratio of 1.5 and a forward P/E ratio under 13, indicating potential for further gains [5] - In Q2 of fiscal 2025, Carnival reported revenue of $6.3 billion, a 9% year-over-year increase, with operating income rising from $560 million to $934 million [6] - The company had record deposits of $8.5 billion and is maintaining high bookings, alleviating concerns about demand drying up [7] - Carnival ended the quarter with $27 billion in total debt, having refinanced $7 billion at more favorable rates, and is close to achieving investment-grade credit ratings [8] - Carnival stock may appeal to investors willing to take on some risk, as the company is expected to bounce back and reward shareholders [9] Group 2: Williams-Sonoma - Williams-Sonoma targets the upscale housewares market and has faced challenges due to macroeconomic pressures, particularly in the sluggish real estate sector [11] - The company reported a 3.4% year-over-year increase in comparable brand revenue and an operating margin of 16.8%, exceeding guidance [12] - Williams-Sonoma has a diversified supplier base, with only 23% of its products sourced from China, positioning it well to handle tariff changes [12] - The company emphasizes a "digital first, not digital only" strategy, with e-commerce accounting for 66% of total sales in Q1 of fiscal 2025, tapping into a $830 billion addressable market [14] - Despite a decline of 8% in stock price this year, investor enthusiasm is returning, and the stock offers a dividend yield of 1.4% [15] - The stock trades at a forward P/E ratio of 19, presenting a potential entry point for investors [15]

Core Viewpoint - Carnival Corporation's stock is expected to continue surprising positively in the short term due to strong financial performance and an upgraded outlook [1]. Financial Performance - The company has demonstrated robust financial results, which contribute to a favorable market perception [1]. Market Outlook - There is an upgraded outlook for Carnival Corporation, indicating potential for growth and positive investor sentiment [1]. Industry Context - The cruise industry is experiencing a positive turn, which may benefit Carnival Corporation and its stock performance [1].

Core Insights - Royal Caribbean has officially welcomed the new ship, Star of the Seas, which is set to debut in August 2025 in Port Canaveral, Florida, marking a significant milestone in family vacation experiences [1][2][3] Group 1: Ship Details and Features - Star of the Seas is part of the Icon Class and represents a new era of family vacations, featuring innovative designs and engineering feats such as the AquaDome and record-breaking waterslides [3][4][6] - The ship will offer over 40 dining, drinking, and entertainment options across eight distinct neighborhoods, enhancing the vacation experience for families [4][5] - Star will be the third ship in Royal Caribbean's fleet powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), contributing to the company's environmental initiatives aimed at achieving a net-zero cruise ship by 2035 [6] Group 2: Upcoming Developments - Royal Caribbean is expanding its vacation offerings with new destinations, including the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in December 2025 and additional locations in Cozumel and Mexico by 2027 [7] - The company continues to innovate in the cruise industry, focusing on creating unforgettable experiences for families and vacationers [3][9]

Airline Industry Performance - Delta Air Lines Inc. experienced a 12% surge in stock price after reporting second-quarter results that exceeded both earnings and revenue expectations, indicating a strong demand outlook [1] - American Airlines Group Inc. shares increased by 12.5%, while United Airlines Holdings Inc. saw a 13.5% rise, contributing to a broad rally across the airline sector [2] - The U.S. Global Jets ETF, which tracks airline stocks, rose by 7.2%, marking its best performance since the 90-day tariff pause in April [2] Economic Indicators - The U.S. labor market showed resilience with initial jobless claims dropping to 237,000, surpassing forecasts, although continuing claims rose to 1.965 million, the highest since 2021 [6] Commodity Market Reactions - Copper futures increased by 2.2% to approximately $5.60 per pound, with silver and palladium also seeing gains of 1.6% and 3.6% respectively, driven by expectations of tightening supply [5] - Crude oil prices fell over 2% amid reports that OPEC+ is considering halting planned production increases starting in October, raising concerns about potential oversupply [5] Stock Market Overview - Major indices showed mixed performance, with the Russell 2000 up 0.7%, Dow Jones up 0.6%, and S&P 500 up 0.2%, while Nasdaq 100 slipped by 0.3% [7] - The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF inched up 0.2%, while the SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 0.6% [9] Company-Specific Movements - Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. rose over 4% after NorthCoast Research raised its price target, reiterating a 'Buy' rating [10] - Freeport-McMoRan Inc. climbed 3.3% as copper prices continued to rise amid supply concerns [10] - Nu Holdings Ltd. dropped 5.1% following the announcement of a 50% tariff on Brazilian imports, leading to a selloff in Brazil-linked assets [10]

For in-depth and deep dive research on the casino and gaming sector, subscribe to The House Edge . New: Free excerpts from our book in progress "The Smartest Ever Guide to Gaming Stocks" - free to existing members and new subscribers.After a brilliant 1Q25 performance, Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE: CCL ) stock only dribbled up to around $30, from $24. Recall that CCL was disproportionally punished by COVID in 2020, falling from a high of $63 pre-COVID to the low $20s. RecoveryHoward Jay Klein has 30 yea ...