Royal Caribbean Cruises (NYSE:RCL) Updates FY 2026 Earnings Guidance

Royal Caribbean Cruises (NYSE:RCL) updated its FY 2026 earnings guidance on Tuesday morning. The company provided EPS guidance of 17.730-17.870 for the period, compared to the consensus earnings per share estimate of 17.320. The company issued revenue guidance of $19.5 billion-$19.5 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $19.6 billion. Royal Caribbean Cruises also updated its Q3 2026 guidance to 6.260-6.360 EPS.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on the stock. Barclays decreased their price target on shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises from $351.00 to $340.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, May 1st. Citigroup increased their target price on Royal Caribbean Cruises from $327.00 to $362.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday. Mizuho set a $380.00 price target on Royal Caribbean Cruises in a research note on Friday, May 1st. BMO Capital Markets initiated coverage on Royal Caribbean Cruises in a report on Tuesday, July 7th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $370.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded Royal Caribbean Cruises from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, June 18th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have issued a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $350.50.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Price Performance

RCL stock opened at $314.15 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $84.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.43, a P/E/G ratio of 1.11 and a beta of 1.76. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $293.37 and its 200 day moving average is $289.53. Royal Caribbean Cruises has a 52 week low of $232.10 and a 52 week high of $366.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.03, a quick ratio of 0.17 and a current ratio of 0.21.

Royal Caribbean Cruises (NYSE:RCL) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 28th. The company reported $4.21 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.98 by $0.23. Royal Caribbean Cruises had a net margin of 23.54% and a return on equity of 43.33%. The business had revenue of $4.83 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.82 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $4.38 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 6.5% on a year-over-year basis. Royal Caribbean Cruises has set its FY 2026 guidance at 17.730-17.870 EPS and its Q3 2026 guidance at 6.260-6.360 EPS. Research analysts predict that Royal Caribbean Cruises will post 17.8 earnings per share for the current year.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, July 2nd. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, June 3rd were paid a $1.50 dividend. This represents a $6.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, June 3rd. Royal Caribbean Cruises’s payout ratio is 36.61%.

Royal Caribbean Cruises News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Royal Caribbean Cruises this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Royal Caribbean reported second-quarter adjusted EPS of $4.21, ahead of the $3.98 consensus estimate, while revenue reached approximately $4.83 billion and increased 6.5% year over year. Strong close-in bookings, onboard spending and cost efficiencies supported the profit beat. Royal Caribbean lifts full-year EPS forecast on strong demand
• Positive Sentiment: The company raised its 2026 adjusted EPS forecast to $17.73-$17.87 and reaffirmed expected net yield growth of 1.75%-2.25%, signaling continued pricing power and resilient demand. Royal Caribbean forecasts 2026 adjusted EPS
• Positive Sentiment: Royal Caribbean continues to return capital through an accelerated share-repurchase program, with roughly $1 billion or more in buybacks reported during the first half of 2026. Fleet expansion, private destinations and river cruises provide additional longer-term growth drivers. Royal Caribbean growth drivers investors should watch
• Neutral Sentiment: Morgan Stanley raised its price target from $280 to $300 but maintained an “equal weight” rating. The new target remains below the referenced $324.04 share price, suggesting the analyst sees limited near-term upside despite the improved outlook.
• Negative Sentiment: Royal Caribbean reduced its 2026 revenue-growth forecast from 10% to approximately 9% and adjusted itinerary expectations as geopolitical tensions moderated bookings, particularly in Europe. Higher fuel costs and the company’s substantial debt load also remain risks. Royal Caribbean stock outlook and geopolitical risks

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Royal Caribbean Cruises

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. University of Texas Texas AM Investment Management Co. bought a new position in shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises in the fourth quarter worth approximately $26,000. Quattro Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Royal Caribbean Cruises during the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. Kemnay Advisory Services Inc. bought a new stake in Royal Caribbean Cruises during the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. Atlas Capital Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in Royal Caribbean Cruises during the 4th quarter valued at $30,000. Finally, JPL Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Royal Caribbean Cruises in the 3rd quarter worth $37,000. 87.53% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Royal Caribbean Cruises

Royal Caribbean Cruises (NYSE: RCL), operating as part of the Royal Caribbean Group, is a global cruise company that develops, markets and operates passenger cruise ships. The company operates multiple consumer-facing cruise brands that offer short- and long-duration itineraries and a range of onboard experiences. Its core activities include itineraries and voyage operations, guest services and hospitality, onboard food and beverage, entertainment and recreation programming, and the commercial activities needed to sell and support cruises through both direct and travel?agent channels.

Royal Caribbean’s ships serve a broad set of geographies worldwide, regularly deploying vessels in the Caribbean, North America (including Alaska), Europe, Asia, Australia and South America.