Carnival Corporation (NYSE: CUK) achieved a new 52-week high on Saturday, reaching a share price of $31.24 during mid-day trading, following the announcement of its quarterly earnings that exceeded expectations. The stock ultimately closed at $30.96, significantly up from the previous close of $26.32, with a trading volume of approximately 9,433,801 shares.
The company reported earnings per share of $0.34 for the quarter, surpassing analysts’ consensus estimate of $0.25 by $0.09. Carnival’s return on equity was noted at 27.86%, with a net margin of 10.07%. Despite the earnings beat, the company’s revenue of $6.33 billion fell slightly short of analyst expectations, which had anticipated $6.37 billion for the quarter. Looking ahead, Carnival provided guidance for fiscal year 2026, forecasting earnings per share between $2.48 and $2.48, and a first-quarter estimate of $0.17.
Carnival Declares Quarterly Dividend
In addition to its earnings report, Carnival announced a quarterly dividend of $0.15 per share, payable on February 27, 2026. Shareholders of record as of February 13, 2026 will be eligible for this dividend. This represents an annualized dividend of $0.60 and a yield of 1.9%.
Analyst ratings have remained stable, with Weiss Ratings reaffirming a “hold (C+)” rating for Carnival’s shares in a report dated October 8, 2023. According to data from MarketBeat, the average rating for Carnival is currently “hold,” as only one research analyst has suggested a hold rating.
Institutional Investment Trends
Recent movements among institutional investors reflect a growing interest in Carnival. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in Carnival valued at approximately $152.13 million during the second quarter. Meanwhile, Bank of Montreal Can increased its holdings by 417%, now owning 1,611,280 shares worth $41.1 million after purchasing an additional 1,299,639 shares during the same period.
Other notable transactions include NINE MASTS CAPITAL Ltd, which established a new position valued at around $17.6 million, and Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership, which raised its stake by 35%, owning 2,426,923 shares valued at $61.91 million. Additionally, Optiver Holding B.V. increased its position by 124.4% in the third quarter, now holding 728,577 shares valued at $19.26 million. Overall, institutional investors and hedge funds control 23.80% of Carnival’s stock.
Carnival operates with a market capitalization of $5.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.48, and a beta of 2.57. The company’s 50-day and 200-day simple moving averages stand at $24.96 and $25.87, respectively. Financial ratios reveal a current ratio of 0.34, a quick ratio of 0.30, and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.10.
Carnival Corporation, established in 1972 by Ted Arison, has grown to become one of the world’s leading cruise operators, serving millions of passengers annually. Its diverse portfolio of brands offers various cruise experiences, from contemporary leisure travel to premium and luxury options, catering to a wide range of travelers.
