Brokerages Set Carnival Corporation (NYSE:CCL) Target Price at $35.00

Carnival Corporation (NYSE:CCL) has received an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the twenty-eight brokerages that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, nineteen have issued a buy recommendation and one has given a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year target price among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $35.00.

Several research firms have recently weighed in on CCL. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Carnival from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday, January 31st. Bank of America upped their target price on shares of Carnival from $40.00 to $45.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, January 12th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Carnival in a report on Friday, December 26th. Zacks Research upgraded Carnival from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Friday, February 6th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein increased their price objective on shares of Carnival from $26.00 to $33.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th.

Key Stories Impacting Carnival

Here are the key news stories impacting Carnival this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks highlights improving consumer sentiment and names CCL among four discretionary stocks to buy, noting rate‑cut optimism and upward earnings revisions that could support demand for cruises. Consumer Sentiment Hits 6-Month High: 4 Discretionary Stocks to Buy
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks added CCL to its Rank #1 (Strong Buy) list, a near‑term bullish signal from the Zacks ranking process that can attract momentum flows and retail interest. New Strong Buy Stocks for February 13th
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks and other outlets publish bullish takes on Carnival as a long‑term growth stock based on improving margins, pricing power and recovery in travel demand — supportive for longer‑term investor flows. Why Carnival (CCL) is a Top Growth Stock for the Long-Term
• Positive Sentiment: Carnival completed a ~$19B refinancing that materially reduces near‑term maturities and targets sub‑3x leverage in 2026 — a clear balance‑sheet positive that lowers financial risk and supports valuation. Carnival Completes $19B Refinancing, Targets Further Leverage Decline
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks research and other commentary note upward revisions to FY2027 EPS estimates for Carnival, which can lift investor expectations for future earnings and support higher multiples. FY2027 EPS Estimates for Carnival Lifted by Zacks Research
• Neutral Sentiment: Carnival updated its ADR deposit agreement in connection with a planned corporate unification — largely an administrative step that enables structural changes but has limited immediate earnings impact. Carnival Updates ADR Agreement Amid Planned Corporate Unification
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst commentary on Q1 results reiterates the beat on EPS but notes a slight revenue miss versus estimates — a mixed read that may temper exuberance even as margins and EPS growth improve. Zacks Research Comments on Carnival’s Q1 Earnings (NYSE:CCL)

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Carnival

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. BOCHK Asset Management Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Carnival during the 4th quarter worth $25,000. Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLC purchased a new stake in Carnival in the third quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Lloyd Advisory Services LLC. purchased a new position in shares of Carnival in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Carnival in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Finally, Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. increased 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 purchasing an additional 762 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 67.19% of the company’s stock.

Carnival Price Performance

Shares of NYSE CCL opened at $31.77 on Thursday. Carnival has a 1 year low of $15.07 and a 1 year high of $34.03. The stock has a market capitalization of $39.28 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.88, a P/E/G ratio of 1.16 and a beta of 2.49. 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 company’s 50-day moving average is $30.28 and its 200 day moving average is $29.40.

Carnival (NYSE:CCL) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, December 19th. The company reported $0.34 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.25 by $0.09. Carnival had a net margin of 10.37% and a return on equity of 28.39%. The company had revenue of $6.33 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.38 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.14 EPS. Carnival’s quarterly revenue was up 6.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Carnival has set its Q1 2026 guidance at 0.170-0.170 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 2.480-2.48 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Carnival will post 1.77 earnings per share for the current year.

Carnival Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 27th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 13th will be given a $0.15 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 13th. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.9%. Carnival’s payout ratio is 30.00%.

Carnival Company Profile

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.