Carnival (NYSE:CCL) Upgraded to “Overweight” at Morgan Stanley

Morgan Stanley upgraded shares of Carnival (NYSE:CCL) from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a research report sent to investors on Thursday morning, MarketBeat reports. The firm currently has $31.00 target price on the stock, down from their prior target price of $33.00.

A number of other equities research analysts have also recently commented on the company. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on Carnival from $38.00 to $40.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, March 5th. The Goldman Sachs Group cut their target price on Carnival from $34.00 to $30.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, March 11th. Zacks Research lowered Carnival from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, March 9th. Citigroup upped their price target on Carnival from $36.00 to $39.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, December 22nd. Finally, UBS Group increased their price target on shares of Carnival from $37.00 to $38.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, January 12th. Twenty investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $34.61.

Carnival Stock Up 3.1%

Shares of CCL stock opened at $24.92 on Thursday. Carnival has a one year low of $15.07 and a one year high of $34.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.96, a current ratio of 0.32 and a quick ratio of 0.28. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $29.61 and a 200 day moving average price of $29.12. The stock has a market cap of $30.88 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.46, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.91 and a beta of 2.42.

Carnival (NYSE:CCL) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, December 19th. The company reported $0.34 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.25 by $0.09. The firm had revenue of $6.33 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.38 billion. Carnival had a net margin of 10.37% and a return on equity of 28.39%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 6.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.14 earnings per share. Analysts predict that Carnival will post 1.77 earnings per share for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Carnival

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. BOCHK Asset Management Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Carnival in the fourth quarter valued at about $25,000. Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Carnival during the third quarter worth about $25,000. Lloyd Advisory Services LLC. acquired a new stake in Carnival in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Carnival in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Finally, Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its stake in Carnival by 381.0% in the 4th quarter. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 962 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 762 shares in the last quarter. 67.19% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Trending Headlines about Carnival

Here are the key news stories impacting Carnival this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Morgan Stanley upgraded Carnival to Overweight, citing an improved risk/reward after the stock’s year‑to‑date decline and setting a $31 price target — a meaningful vote of confidence from a large sell‑side shop that often moves momentum and buy interest. Carnival upgraded as Morgan Stanley sees attractive risk-reward
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst commentary and research note coverage point to stronger onboard spending and better pricing as yield drivers — factors that can lift margins and earnings per share even if ticket demand is mixed. That supports near‑term profit outlooks. Carnival Gains From Strong Onboard Spending: A Yield Driver?
• Positive Sentiment: Product/programming expansions (Princess Cruises adding new Alaska experiences across eight ships) and luxury enhancements (Seabourn’s speaker lineup for the 2027 World Cruise) signal continued demand and itinerary diversification across Carnival’s owned brands, supporting revenue mix and ancillary spend potential. Princess Cruises Brings Alaska to Life with New North to Alaska Experiences for 2026
• Neutral Sentiment: Seabourn’s PR about guest speakers for its 2027 World Cruise is brand‑positive but more relevant to longer‑term luxury demand than immediate earnings. DISTINGUISHED GUEST SPEAKERS TO JOIN SEABOURN CONVERSATIONS ON 2027 WORLD CRUISE
• Neutral Sentiment: Some analyst notes (e.g., Stifel maintaining a Buy while trimming its target) and market commentary highlight a recovery narrative but also show cautious target adjustments — mixed signals that can sustain volatility. Carnival (CCL) Stock Gains Ground After Oil Price Turbulence Batters Shares
• Negative Sentiment: Fuel/oil price concerns remain a headwind: higher fuel costs compress cruise margins and have been cited repeatedly as a reason for recent share weakness. That risk keeps downside possible if energy prices move up. Shifting Story For Carnival Corporation (CCL) As Demand Strength Meets Fuel And Risk Concerns
• Negative Sentiment: There is near‑term earnings anxiety ahead of upcoming results — some outlets flag that much is riding on the next report, which can amplify volatility if guidance or revenue mix disappoints. Carnival Earnings Anxiety: The Good, Bad, and Ugly

About Carnival

Carnival Corporation (NYSE: CCL) is a global cruise operator that provides leisure travel services through a portfolio of passenger cruise brands. The company’s core business is operating cruise ships that offer multi-night voyages and associated vacation services, including onboard accommodations, dining, entertainment, spa and wellness offerings, casinos, youth programs, and organized shore excursions. Carnival markets cruise vacations to a broad range of consumers, from value-focused travelers to premium and luxury segments, through differentiated brand positioning and onboard experiences.

Its operating structure comprises multiple well-known cruise brands that target distinct geographic and demographic markets.