Carnival Corporation & plc(CCL)
NASDAQ

CCL Stock Analysis — May 2026

$25.98
-0.20 (-0.76%)

CCL Stock Price Today (May 2026) — Carnival Corporation & plc Analysis & Key Metrics 2026-05-22

Carnival Corporation & plc (CCL) is trading at $25.98, down 0.76% today (as of May 2026). The stock continues to show pressure below major moving averages, attracting attention from investors looking for Consumer Cyclical growth opportunities.

  • According to consensus analyst estimates, the 1-year price target is $34.51 (32.8% upside).
  • Volatility remains elevated (49.68% annualized), implying wide price swings for short-term traders.
  • The fundamental picture, based on the latest financial filings, is nuanced: solid revenue growth (6.10% YoY) alongside significant competitive pressures.

CCL Stock Analysis: Key Metrics & Valuation (May 2026)

Concise, actionable data for investors

Trend posture
Short-term pullback in long-term uptrend
Analyst 1Y target34.5132.8%
Volatility (30d ann.)49.6775High
RSI (14-day)
51.89 (Neutral)
Debt$26.61B (203.90 D/E)

Carnival Corporation & plc - Historical Price & Volume

$25.98
+10.85 (+71.71%)
Price
Volume
Current Price Line
Range: 2Y

Market Cap

$38.75B

Enterprise Value: $63.32B

P/E Ratio

12.32

Forward P/E: 10.77

Revenue Growth

+6.10%

Year over Year

Analyst Target

$34.51

+32.8% upside potential

Key Investor Questions About CCL

What investors need to know before buying

Is it a good time to buy CCL stock?

Based on current market data, CCL presents a neutral technical setup with caution warranted fundamentals.

  • Technicals say: Neutral (RSI 51.89)
  • Fundamentals say: Caution warranted (high leverage concerns)
Can CCL sustain revenue growth in the Travel Services market?

CCL's growth trajectory depends on its ability to expand within the Travel Services sector while managing margin pressures.

  • Future growth will depend on performance in core Travel Services operations.
  • The ability to manage competitive pressures will be crucial for sustained growth.
What are the biggest risks facing CCL stock?

The primary risks for CCL investors include debt exposure and competitive dynamics in the Travel Services industry.

  • $26.61B in debt could be a headwind in a high-rate environment.
  • Fierce competition from established players in Travel Services.

52-Week Trading Range

52-Week Low$19.90
52-Week High$34.03
Current Price$25.98

Over the past year, CCL stock traded between $19.90 and $34.03—recovering meaningfully from lows and currently near the higher end. Big swings are likely unless a major catalyst emerges.

Volatility & Risk Profile

30-Day Volatility49.68%
Beta2.33
RSI (14-day)51.89

With 49.68% annualized volatility and β=2.33, the stock exhibits high sensitivity to market moves—making CCL suitable for investors comfortable with active risk management.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

Insider OwnershipN/A
Institutional OwnershipN/A
Shares Short42.88M

Lower institutional support combined with high short selling points to negative sentiment.

Analyst Sentiment & Price Targets

Mean Target
$34.51
Upside Potential
32.8%
Recommendation
buy
Analysts see strong upside potential with a target of $34.51. The 32.8% upside suggests optimistic growth expectations.

Latest News & Headlines

Recent headlines and coverage

StockStoryMay 23, 2026

1 Profitable Stock to Consider Right Now and 2 We Turn Down

Not all profitable companies are built to last - some rely on outdated models or unsustainable advantages. Just because a business is in the green today doesn’t mean it will thrive tomorrow.

Barrons.comMay 22, 2026

Cruise Stocks Have Been Hit Hard. Norwegian Insiders See a Buying Opportunity.

Norwegian Cruise Line shares have dropped more than 9% this month amid rising fuel prices and a rare viral outbreak.

StockStoryMay 22, 2026

Frontier, Carnival, and Norwegian Cruise Line Shares Skyrocket, What You Need To Know

A number of stocks jumped in the afternoon session after easing pressure in the bond market and a pullback in oil prices boosted investor sentiment for consumer-facing companies.

Simply Wall St.May 21, 2026

The Bull Case For Carnival (CCL) Could Change Following Dividend Return And Buyback Plan Shift - Learn Why

Carnival Corporation Ltd. recently completed its dual-listed company unification into a single Bermuda-based entity, reinstated a quarterly US$0.15 per-share dividend, and approved a US$2.50 billion share repurchase program, while also facing operational headlines including a passenger fatality aboard Carnival Liberty and new culinary initiatives at Seabourn in Alaska. Together, the capital return announcements and corporate simplification have reshaped how investors assess Carnival’s...

StockStoryMay 21, 2026

3 S&P 500 Stocks We Think Twice About

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BarchartMay 21, 2026

Stocks Fall on Doubts Over a US-Iran Peace Deal

The S&P 500 Index ($SPX ) (SPY ) today is down -0.44%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average ($DOWI ) (DIA ) is down -0.47%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index ($IUXX ) (QQQ ) is down -0.49%. June E-mini S&P futures (ESM26 ) are down -0.40%, and June E-mini Nasdaq futures...

StockStoryMay 21, 2026

Carnival and United Airlines Shares Plummet, What You Need To Know

A number of stocks fell in the afternoon session after the broader market sold-off particularly impacting consumer discretionary stocks amid persistent inflation and concerns over slowing demand.

BarchartMay 21, 2026

Stocks Slip Before the Open as Oil Rises on U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Uncertainty, PMI Data in Focus

June S&P 500 E-Mini futures (ESM26) are down -0.40%, and June Nasdaq 100 E-Mini futures (NQM26) are down -0.55% this morning as oil prices and bond yields climbed, with investors watching to see whether hopes for a peace deal in the Middle East will turn into tangible progress.

BarchartMay 20, 2026

Stocks Finish Sharply Higher on Iran Hopes

The S&P 500 Index ($SPX ) (SPY ) on Wednesday closed up +1.08%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average ($DOWI ) (DIA ) closed up +1.31%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index ($IUXX ) (QQQ ) closed up +1.66%. June E-mini S&P futures (ESM26 ) rose +0.96%, and June E-mini Nasdaq futures...

MT NewswiresMay 20, 2026

Equity Markets Rebound Following Fed Minutes; Yields Tumble

US stocks rebounded Wednesday as traders parsed minutes of the Federal Reserve's latest monetary pol

Frequently Asked Questions

Common investor questions about Carnival Corporation & plc

Carnival Corporation & plc (CCL) is currently trading at $25.98. The RSI (14-day) is at 51.9, indicating neutral territory. Wall Street analysts have a consensus "buy" recommendation. The mean analyst price target of $34.51 implies 32.8% upside from current levels. Volatility is high at 49.7% 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 12.32, which is below the market average of ~20-22, suggesting the stock may be undervalued relative to peers. The forward P/E is 10.77, lower than the trailing P/E, suggesting analysts expect earnings improvement. Price-to-Book is 2.97. Price-to-Sales is 1.44. Valuation should be compared to Travel Services industry peers for context, as different sectors trade at different multiples.

Based on 22 analysts covering CCL, the consensus price target is $34.51. This represents a 32.8% upside from the current price of $25.98. The range spans from a low target of $28.70 to a high target of $45.00, 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 1.15%. The annualized dividend rate is $0.15 per share. The payout ratio is 6.6%, which is conservative and suggests the dividend is well-covered by earnings with room for future increases. The most recent ex-dividend date was 2026-05-18.

Key risks for Carnival Corporation & plc (CCL) investors include: 1. High volatility (49.7% annualized)—the stock can experience significant daily price swings. 2. Elevated debt levels (D/E ratio of 203.90) 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 $26.61B. The debt-to-equity ratio is 203.90, which is high and could pose financial risk if earnings decline or borrowing costs increase. The current ratio is 0.30, which is below 1.0 and may indicate short-term liquidity concerns. The quick ratio is 0.17. The company holds $1.42B in cash and equivalents. Free cash flow is positive at $2.17B, providing a cushion for debt servicing and shareholder returns.