Carnival Corporation & plc (CUK) is listed on NYSE and operates in the Leisure industry (Consumer Cyclical sector).
Carnival Corporation & plc operates as a leisure travel company. Its ships visit approximately 700 ports under the Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, P&O Cruises (Australia), Seabourn, Costa Cruises, AIDA Cruises, P&O Cruises (UK), and Cunard brand names. The company also provides port destinations and other services, as well as owns and owns and operates hotels, lodges, glass-domed railcars, and motor coaches. It sells its cruises primarily through travel agents, tour operators, vacation planners, and websites. The company operates in the United States, Canada, Continental Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and internationally. It operates 87 ships with 223,000 lower berths. Carnival Corporation & plc was founded in 1972 and is headquartered in Miami, Florida.
| Rating | Analysts |
|---|---|
| Strong Buy | 0 |
| Buy | 19 |
| Hold | 13 |
| Sell | 4 |
| Strong Sell | 0 |
Carnival Corporation & plc is a leisure travel company specializing in cruise operations. It manages a fleet of 87 ships with 223,000 lower berths, visiting around 700 ports globally. The company operates under several brand names, including Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, P&O Cruises (Australia and UK), Seabourn, Costa Cruises, AIDA Cruises, and Cunard. Beyond cruises, Carnival provides port destinations and related services, and it owns and operates hotels, lodges, glass-domed railcars, and motor coaches. The company markets its cruises primarily through travel agents, tour operators, vacation planners, and online platforms. Carnival Corporation & plc serves a broad geographic market, including the United States, Canada, Continental Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia. Founded in 1972, the company is headquartered in Miami, Florida.
Over the past three fiscal years, the company has demonstrated a robust growth trajectory, with revenue increasing consistently at an 11.0% CAGR from $21.59 billion in 2023 to $26.62 billion in 2025. This growth has been accompanied by a significant improvement in profitability, as evidenced by the operating margin expanding by 7.8 percentage points from 9.1% to 16.8%, and the net margin turning positive, increasing by 10.7 percentage points from -0.3% to 10.4%. The company's earnings per share (EPS) also saw a remarkable turnaround, rising from a loss of $0.0586 in 2023 to a profit of $2.02 in 2025. Cash generation has been strong, with operating cash flow growing at a 20.5% CAGR to $6.22 billion, and free cash flow (FCF) increasing at an impressive 61.7% CAGR to $2.61 billion, resulting in an FCF margin of 9.8%. Despite this positive cash flow, the company experienced a 11.1% increase in share count, which partially diluted per-share gains. Capital efficiency improved, with return on invested capital (ROIC) increasing to 10.7%, while net debt decreased consistently by 6.0% CAGR to $26.07 billion, indicating a strengthening balance sheet. However, liquidity remains a concern with a current ratio of 0.30 and a quick ratio of 0.26, suggesting potential challenges in meeting short-term obligations.
Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE:CUK) recently experienced a significant stock price increase, rising 9% on April 18, 2026, despite a 68% decline in trading volume compared to the average. This surge follows the company's Q1 2026 earnings call, although specific financial details from the call were not disclosed. In strategic developments, Princess Cruises, a Carnival brand, introduced "POURS," a new beverage collection focusing on premium cocktails and wellness-forward zero-proof options, reflecting a shift towards mindful drinking. Additionally, Carnival Corporation completed successful simulator tests with Global Maritime Partners, advancing the use of next-generation IHO S-100 navigation data for improved maritime navigation. In other news, Princess Cruises' newest ship, Star Princess, made its inaugural transit of the Panama Canal, marking a historic milestone for the cruise line. Furthermore, Princess Cruises and Holland America Line committed $175,000 to rebuild the Ketchikan American Legion Post, demonstrating their ongoing community support. Despite these positive developments, Carnival PLC shares fell by 5.3% on April 16, 2026, as reported by GuruFocus, highlighting mixed investor sentiment. These activities underscore Carnival's strategic initiatives and community engagement, while the stock's recent volatility suggests a complex market response.