Macquarie lifts Royal Caribbean price target to $300

Published 30/01/2025, 17:32
Macquarie lifts Royal Caribbean price target to $300

In addition to financial metrics, Royal Caribbean (NYSE:RCL) announced the launch of Celebrity River Cruises, marking the company’s foray into the highly fragmented river cruise market. The company is set to begin accepting bookings this year and has committed to an initial order of 10 ships, with the first sailings planned for 2027. With a P/E ratio of 24.52 and strong return metrics, including a return on equity of 47%, the company appears well-positioned for this expansion. For deeper insights into Royal Caribbean’s growth potential and comprehensive financial analysis, investors can access the detailed Pro Research Report available on InvestingPro, which covers over 1,400 top US stocks with expert analysis and actionable intelligence. With a P/E ratio of 24.52 and strong return metrics, including a return on equity of 47%, the company appears well-positioned for this expansion. For deeper insights into Royal Caribbean’s growth potential and comprehensive financial analysis, investors can access the detailed Pro Research Report available on InvestingPro, which covers over 1,400 top US stocks with expert analysis and actionable intelligence. Revenue reached $3.76 billion, aligning with FactSet consensus and Macquarie’s estimate of $3.75 billion. The cruise operator also reported a load factor of 108%, which was consistent with the anticipated range of 107.0% to 108.9%.

In addition to financial metrics, Royal Caribbean announced the launch of Celebrity River Cruises, marking the company’s foray into the highly fragmented river cruise market. The company is set to begin accepting bookings this year and has committed to an initial order of 10 ships, with the first sailings planned for 2027. With a P/E ratio of 24.52 and strong return metrics, including a return on equity of 47%, the company appears well-positioned for this expansion. For deeper insights into Royal Caribbean’s growth potential and comprehensive financial analysis, investors can access the detailed Pro Research Report available on InvestingPro, which covers over 1,400 top US stocks with expert analysis and actionable intelligence. The company attributed approximately 340 basis points of this rise to higher share-based compensation, reflecting the strength of the share price.

The company’s liquidity stood at $4.1 billion, consistent with its investment-grade target, and supports the approximately $5 billion capital expenditure guidance for fiscal year 2025. Royal Caribbean also reported a record start to the WAVE season, with bookings accelerating since the last report. Booked load factors are comparable to previous years, but with higher rates and increased onboard and pre-cruise spending due to more participation at higher pricing levels.

For fiscal year 2025, Royal Caribbean is guiding for net yields to increase by 2.5-4.5% on a constant currency basis, with NCC (NSE:NCCL) (excluding fuel) expected to be between 0-1% cc. Adjusted EPS is forecasted to be between $14.35 and $14.65, compared to Macquarie’s preprint estimate of $14.21. Despite these positive indicators, the company noted that foreign exchange rates have recently posed a challenge, with the guidance including a $0.65 impact from fuel and exchange rate fluctuations. For the first quarter of 2025, the company anticipates EPS to be in the range of $2.43 to $2.53, with net yields expected to increase by 4.75-5.25% cc and NCC excluding fuel to rise by 1.6-2.1% cc.

In addition to financial metrics, Royal Caribbean announced the launch of Celebrity River Cruises, marking the company’s foray into the highly fragmented river cruise market. The company is set to begin accepting bookings this year and has committed to an initial order of 10 ships, with the first sailings planned for 2027. This expansion is expected to be accretive for yields, according to the company’s projections.

In other recent news, Royal Caribbean Cruises has been the subject of multiple financial firm updates. Stifel maintained a Buy rating for the company with a target of $310, expressing confidence in its prospects for 2025. The firm anticipates that Royal Caribbean’s long-term growth strategy will be revealed in the first quarter of 2025 at the upcoming investor day. Similarly, Mizuho (NYSE:MFG) Securities increased its price target for the cruise line to $277, citing a robust demand outlook and an encouraging financial trajectory.

Meanwhile, Wells Fargo (NYSE:WFC) raised its price target for Royal Caribbean to $297, highlighting the company’s strategic move into river cruising. The firm also noted that robust demand and pricing in the Caribbean bolster this demand, which accounts for 57% of Royal Caribbean’s capacity. Citi also boosted its target to $304, applauding the company’s ability to meet earnings per share guidance amidst challenges and its strategic expansion into the river cruise market.

Barclays (LON:BARC) increased its price target to $308, pointing out Royal Caribbean’s potential for another year of outperformance and its serious approach to expanding into river cruising. These recent developments indicate a positive trajectory for Royal Caribbean as it continues to navigate through the evolving travel industry landscape.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers
© 2007-2025 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.