Mizuho Forecasts Strong Price Appreciation for Carnival (NYSE:CCL) Stock

Carnival (NYSE:CCL) had its target price increased by equities research analysts at Mizuho from $38.00 to $39.00 in a report issued on Friday,Benzinga reports. The firm presently has an “outperform” rating on the stock. Mizuho’s price target points to a potential upside of 61.47% from the stock’s current price.

CCL has been the subject of several other reports. William Blair restated an “outperform” rating on shares of Carnival in a report on Tuesday, March 3rd. Wolfe Research reiterated an “outperform” rating on shares of Carnival in a research note on Friday, December 19th. Sanford C. Bernstein increased their target price on shares of Carnival from $26.00 to $33.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. Susquehanna decreased their target price on shares of Carnival from $40.00 to $30.00 and set a “positive” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, March 23rd. Finally, Truist Financial lowered their price target on shares of Carnival from $34.00 to $30.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, March 24th. Nineteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Carnival presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $34.41.

Carnival Stock Performance

Shares of CCL stock opened at $24.15 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $29.93 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.73, a P/E/G ratio of 1.00 and a beta of 2.42. Carnival has a 1-year low of $15.07 and a 1-year high of $34.03. The company has a current ratio of 0.32, a quick ratio of 0.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.96. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $28.95 and its 200-day simple moving average is $28.83.

Carnival (NYSE:CCL) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, March 27th. The company reported $0.20 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.18 by $0.02. Carnival had a return on equity of 28.39% and a net margin of 10.37%.The firm had revenue of $6.17 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.13 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $0.13 EPS. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 6.1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Carnival will post 1.77 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Carnival

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. bought a new stake in Carnival in the second quarter worth approximately $25,000. BOCHK Asset Management Ltd bought a new position in shares of Carnival during the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Carnival in the 3rd quarter valued at $25,000. Lloyd Advisory Services LLC. bought a new stake in Carnival in the fourth quarter worth $26,000. Finally, Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. increased its position in Carnival by 381.0% during the fourth quarter. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 962 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 762 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 67.19% of the company’s stock.

Carnival News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Carnival this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q1 beat on both EPS and revenue; strong demand and record bookings support medium‑term revenue growth. Carnival reported non‑GAAP EPS of ~$0.20 and revenue of ~$6.17B, topping consensus and citing stronger onboard spend and bookings. Read More.
• Positive Sentiment: Management authorized a $2.5B share buyback and highlighted improving cash flow/return to profitability — actions that are shareholder friendly and underpin upside if fuel pressure eases. Read More.
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst support: Mizuho raised its price target and maintained an outperform stance, and multiple firms continue to issue buy/overweight ratings — providing potential price support. Read More.
• Neutral Sentiment: Macro market moves are amplifying stock volatility today (broad indices down, oil rally lifting energy). That can exacerbate sector moves even when company fundamentals are mixed. Read More.
• Neutral Sentiment: Mixed financial metrics: top‑line growth and improved cash generation contrast with declines in operating/net income versus year‑ago levels — investors will watch margin trends and guidance cadence. Read More.
• Negative Sentiment: Company cut full‑year profit guidance, explicitly citing surging fuel costs driven by Middle East geopolitical tensions (management flagged a sizable fuel bill increase). That guidance reduction is the primary driver of the share decline. Read More.
• Negative Sentiment: Fuel expense hit: coverage cites fuel costs rising to roughly $2.15B and warns higher fuel will weigh on FY26 results — a direct margin headwind for a fuel‑intensive operator. Read More.
• Negative Sentiment: Market reaction: shares fell despite the beat because investors focused on the guidance cut and macro‑driven oil spike — illustrating sensitivity to commodity and geopolitical risk. Read More.

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.