:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/carnival_dream-56a1fdfa5f9b58b7d0c58093.jpg "Cruise Stocks Are Rising After Carnival Turned In a ‘Phenomenal’ Year")
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Key Takeaways
- Carnival delivered higher-than-expected earnings and issued 2026 profit guidance above analyst estimates.
- The reinstated dividend shows the cruise operator is moving further away from its pandemic-era financial strain.
“Find Your Fun Again” is the tagline of Carnival Corp.’s (CCL) latest ad campaign. It looks like travelers are taking that to heart.
Shares of the Miami-based cruise operator surged Friday, recently rising more than 8%, after the company reported solid quarterly results and issued rosy fiscal 2026 guidance. The news listed shares of other cruise companies on a broadly positive day for stocks.
CEO Josh Weinstein said after the company’s fiscal fourth quarter, ended Nov. 30, that “2025 was a truly phenomenal year” and fiscal 2026 looks to be off to a promising start, too.
Why This Matters
Carnival’s results suggest cruise demand remains strong despite higher travel costs elsewhere. The cruise operator’s 2026 outlook and the return of a quarterly dividend are nods toward improving profitability and steadier cash flow.
Carnival reported adjusted earnings of $0.34 per share, while analysts surveyed by Visible Alpha had expected $0.25. Revenue of $6.33 billion, a record for the company, came in just below estimates.
For fiscal 2026, Carnival sees adjusted net income of $3.5 billion, above record 2025 levels and Visible Alpha consensus of $3.37 billion.
Carnival’s board reinstated the company’s quarterly dividend, declaring an $0.15-per-share payout. “This decision highlights confidence in our future performance and continued commitment to delivering value to shareholders,” Bernstein said.
With its Friday surge, Carnival is among the top gainers on the S&P 500. Shares of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH) and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCL) are up 6% and 3%, respectively.
