Carnival Corporation & plc(CCL)NASDAQ
Stock Overview & Analysis
Carnival Corporation & plc (CCL) quick overview 2026-02-20
- The stock is currently trading at $31.99, experiencing a price strength within a larger uptrend—trading above its 50-day average while holding above the 200-day.
- Analysts appear optimistic, with a 1-year price target of $38.00 (18.8% upside).
- Volatility is elevated (47.35% annualized), implying wide price swings.
- The fundamental story is nuanced: solid revenue growth (6.60% YoY) alongside significant competitive pressures.
Here's What You Need to Know Right Now
Concise, actionable context
Carnival Corporation & plc - Historical Price & Volume
Market Cap
Enterprise Value: $71.05B
P/E Ratio
Forward P/E: 11.30
Revenue Growth
Year over Year
Analyst Target
+18.8% upside potential
Key Investor Questions
Clarity over jargon
- Technicals say: Neutral (RSI 52.76)
- Fundamentals say: Caution warranted (high leverage concerns)
- Future growth will depend on performance in core Travel Services operations.
- The ability to manage competitive pressures will be crucial for sustained growth.
- $27.99B in debt could be a headwind in a high-rate environment.
- Fierce competition from established players in Travel Services.
Trading Range
Over the past year, the stock traded between $15.07 and $34.03—recovering meaningfully from lows and currently near the higher end. Big swings are likely unless a major catalyst emerges.
Volatility
With 47.35% annualized volatility and β=2.44, the stock exhibits high sensitivity to market moves—suitable for investors comfortable with active risk management.
Ownership Snapshot
High institutional backing, but elevated short interest signals a potential battleground stock.
Analyst Sentiment
Latest News
Recent headlines and coverage
Carnival (CCL) Target Raised to $34 as Demand Environment Stabilizes
We recently published an article titled 10 Best Cruise Stocks to Buy Right Now. On January 22, Truist raised its price target on Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE:CCL) to $34 from $31 and maintained a Hold rating as part of a broader cruise sector update. Based on extensive discussions with senior travel industry executives and […]
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Why Carnival (CCL) Dipped More Than Broader Market Today
Carnival (CCL) concluded the recent trading session at $31.55, signifying a -3.04% move from its prior day's close.
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Where is Carnival Corporation & plc (CCL) Headed?
Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE:CCL) is one of the best luxury stocks to buy now. Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE:CCL) announced on February 5 the opening of new voyages by the Holland America Line across some of the most sought-after vacation regions. It announced around three dozen itineraries in 2027-2028, including Mexico, Hawaii, the Panama […]
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Carnival Highlights Food Waste Cuts And Fleet Upkeep In Sustainability Push
Carnival Corporation (NYSE:CCL) has expanded a food waste reduction program with OLIO, redirecting surplus meals from P&O Cruises' development kitchen to local families. The initiative is part of a wider corporate focus on cutting food waste across the group. The company has also signed a global preventive maintenance contract with Evac Group for environmental systems across its fleet. The Evac agreement is intended to support operational reliability and Carnival's wider decarbonization...
Is Carnival’s 2026 Fuel and FX Tailwind Meaningfully Altering The Investment Case For CCL?
Carnival Corporation & plc recently outlined an expected fiscal 2026 earnings tailwind of about US$0.20 per share, largely driven by lower fuel costs and supportive foreign exchange movements, partially offset by higher regulatory and tax-related expenses. Alongside cost headwinds from emissions allowances and Pillar 2 taxes of roughly US$0.11 per share, the company’s quantified fuel and currency benefits offer a clearer view of how external cost drivers may influence its future...
Frequently Asked Questions
Common investor questions about Carnival Corporation & plc
Carnival Corporation & plc (CCL) is currently trading at $31.99. The RSI (14-day) is at 52.8, indicating neutral territory. Wall Street analysts have a consensus "buy" recommendation. The mean analyst price target of $38.00 implies 18.8% upside from current levels. Volatility is high at 47.3% annualized, meaning significant price swings are common. Investors should consider their risk tolerance, investment horizon, and portfolio diversification before making a decision.
Based on current valuation metrics for Carnival Corporation & plc (CCL): The trailing P/E ratio is 15.84, which is in line with broader market averages. The forward P/E is 11.30, lower than the trailing P/E, suggesting analysts expect earnings improvement. Price-to-Book is 3.42. Price-to-Sales is 1.66. Valuation should be compared to Travel Services industry peers for context, as different sectors trade at different multiples.
Based on 23 analysts covering CCL, the consensus price target is $38.00. This represents a 18.8% upside from the current price of $31.99. The range spans from a low target of $33.00 to a high target of $46.00, reflecting varying levels of optimism among analysts. The consensus recommendation is "buy". Note: Analyst price targets are forward-looking estimates and not guarantees of future performance.
Yes, Carnival Corporation & plc (CCL) pays a dividend with a current yield of approximately 47.00%. The annualized dividend rate is $0.15 per share. The most recent ex-dividend date was 2026-02-13.
Key risks for Carnival Corporation & plc (CCL) investors include: 1. High volatility (47.3% annualized)—the stock can experience significant daily price swings. 2. Elevated debt levels (D/E ratio of 227.88) which could pressure margins in a rising rate environment. 3. Broader market and macroeconomic risks (interest rates, inflation, geopolitical events). 4. Travel Services sector-specific competitive pressures. Investors should diversify and consider their risk tolerance before investing.
Here is Carnival Corporation & plc's (CCL) current debt and financial health profile: Total debt stands at $27.99B. The debt-to-equity ratio is 227.88, which is high and could pose financial risk if earnings decline or borrowing costs increase. The current ratio is 0.32, which is below 1.0 and may indicate short-term liquidity concerns. The quick ratio is 0.23. The company holds $1.93B in cash and equivalents. Free cash flow is positive at $1.55B, providing a cushion for debt servicing and shareholder returns.