Zacks Research Has Positive Opinion of RCL FY2026 Earnings

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE:RCL) – Zacks Research increased their FY2026 earnings estimates for shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises in a report released on Monday, November 9th. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the company will post earnings of $17.92 per share for the year, up from their previous estimate of $17.73. The consensus estimate for Royal Caribbean Cruises’ current full-year earnings is $17.94 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Royal Caribbean Cruises’ Q4 2026 earnings at $3.54 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $3.67 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $4.92 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $6.18 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $4.65 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $19.42 EPS, Q1 2028 earnings at $4.93 EPS, Q2 2028 earnings at $5.46 EPS, Q3 2028 earnings at $6.74 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $22.62 EPS.

A number of other equities analysts have also weighed in on the company. BMO Capital Markets reiterated an “outperform” rating and set a $370.00 target price on shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises in a research note on Wednesday, September 23rd. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on Royal Caribbean Cruises from $358.00 to $361.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 28th. Jefferies Financial Group set a $350.00 price objective on Royal Caribbean Cruises and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 28th. Loop Capital upped their price objective on Royal Caribbean Cruises from $304.00 to $327.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 29th. Finally, Weiss Ratings cut Royal Caribbean Cruises from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 28th. Twenty-one analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $355.62.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Trading Up 3.1%

Shares of NYSE:RCL opened at $337.18 on Tuesday. Royal Caribbean Cruises has a 12-month low of $222.22 and a 12-month high of $356.39. The stock has a market cap of $90.19 billion, a PE ratio of 19.96, a P/E/G ratio of 1.16 and a beta of 1.88. The business has a 50 day moving average of $276.38 and a 200-day moving average of $288.17. The company has a quick ratio of 0.19, a current ratio of 0.22 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.69.

Royal Caribbean Cruises (NYSE:RCL) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 27th. The company reported $6.57 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $6.38 by $0.19. The firm had revenue of $5.59 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $5.61 billion. Royal Caribbean Cruises had a net margin of 23.78% and a return on equity of 43.40%. The business’s revenue was up 8.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $5.75 EPS.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, October 8th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, September 17th were issued a $1.50 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, September 17th. This represents a $6.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.8%. Royal Caribbean Cruises’s payout ratio is currently 35.52%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Royal Caribbean Cruises news, Director Arne Wilhelmsen sold 220,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $329.29, for a total transaction of $72,443,800.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 16,215,910 shares in the company, valued at $5,339,737,003.90. This represents a 1.34% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Maritza Montiel sold 400 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $307.21, for a total transaction of $122,884.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 13,202 shares in the company, valued at $4,055,786.42. This represents a 2.94% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 250,400 shares of company stock worth $82,263,584. Company insiders own 6.44% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Royal Caribbean Cruises

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. BlackRock Inc. bought a new stake in Royal Caribbean Cruises during the second quarter worth about $6,549,422,000. State Street Corp increased its holdings in Royal Caribbean Cruises by 2.6% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 10,689,134 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,409,971,000 after buying an additional 270,930 shares during the period. Sanders Capital LLC increased its holdings in Royal Caribbean Cruises by 85.7% in the 3rd quarter. Sanders Capital LLC now owns 4,835,116 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,285,464,000 after buying an additional 2,231,864 shares during the period. Primecap Management Co. CA bought a new position in Royal Caribbean Cruises in the 2nd quarter valued at about $669,804,000. Finally, Jupiter Topco LLC acquired a new position in shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $597,350,000. 87.53% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Key Stories Impacting Royal Caribbean Cruises

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

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks Research raised its full-year EPS estimate to $17.92 for 2026 from $17.73, and to $19.42 for 2027 from $19.10. Its 2028 forecast increased to $22.62 from $22.09, suggesting improving longer-term earnings expectations. MarketBeat
• Positive Sentiment: Falling crude prices helped lift cruise stocks in a broader market rally. Cheaper fuel can ease a significant operating expense for cruise operators, potentially supporting margins. Cruise Stocks Climb Amid Falling Crude Prices
• Positive Sentiment: A Zacks analysis says Royal Caribbean is targeting adjusted EPS in the $20 range for 2027, citing strong bookings, capacity growth and cost control—factors that could sustain earnings momentum if delivered. RCL Targets Adjusted EPS in the $20 Range for 2027: Can Momentum Last?
• Negative Sentiment: The analyst revisions were mixed: Zacks lowered estimates for Q4 2026 EPS to $3.54 from $3.60, Q2 2027 to $4.92 from $4.96, and Q2 2028 to $5.46 from $5.49. These modest cuts indicate some near-term caution, although other quarterly forecasts were raised. MarketBeat

About Royal Caribbean Cruises

Royal Caribbean Group, formerly known as Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., is a global cruise vacation company. Its brands include Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea Cruises, which offer voyages ranging from large-ship family vacations to premium and luxury experiences.

The company serves travelers through itineraries to destinations around the world, including the Caribbean, Europe, Alaska and Asia. Its vacation offerings combine onboard accommodations, dining and entertainment with shore excursions and visits to ports and private destinations.

Founded in 1968, the company is headquartered in Miami, Florida.