Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. Boosts Stock Holdings in Carnival Corporation $CCL

Key Points

• Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management increased its stake in Carnival by 5.1% in Q4 to 2,252,014 shares (about 0.19% of the company), valuing its position at roughly $69.6 million.
• Carnival beat the quarter with $0.20 EPS vs. $0.18 expected and $6.17 billion revenue (up 6.1% YoY), showing a 11.48% net margin and 26.92% ROE; analysts project about $2.23 EPS for the fiscal year.
• CCL trades around $27 (down ~1.8%) with a $33.5B market cap; while many analysts have trimmed targets, the consensus rating is a Moderate Buy with an average target of $33.99, and corporate moves like a digital AI supply-chain and legal unification offer upside amid elevated put activity and a recent insider sale as potential risks.

Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. increased its position in shares of Carnival Corporation (NYSE:CCL - Free Report) by 5.1% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 2,252,014 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 109,474 shares during the period. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. owned approximately 0.19% of Carnival worth $69,632,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management acquired a new position in Carnival during the third quarter worth about $1,291,000. National Pension Service grew its position in Carnival by 10.8% during the third quarter. National Pension Service now owns 2,795,560 shares of the company's stock worth $80,820,000 after buying an additional 272,452 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in Carnival by 0.3% during the fourth quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 128,133,282 shares of the company's stock worth $3,913,190,000 after buying an additional 368,445 shares during the period. Russell Investments Group Ltd. grew its position in Carnival by 5.6% during the third quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 1,774,765 shares of the company's stock worth $51,867,000 after buying an additional 93,565 shares during the period. Finally, Nordea Investment Management AB grew its position in Carnival by 42.8% during the fourth quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 2,126,893 shares of the company's stock worth $65,487,000 after buying an additional 637,605 shares during the period. 67.19% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Carnival Stock Down 1.8%

CCL stock opened at $27.02 on Friday. The company's 50 day simple moving average is $26.75 and its 200-day simple moving average is $28.29. The firm has a market capitalization of $33.47 billion, a PE ratio of 12.01, a P/E/G ratio of 1.21 and a beta of 2.33. Carnival Corporation has a 12 month low of $19.90 and a 12 month high of $34.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.82, a current ratio of 0.30 and a quick ratio of 0.26.

Carnival (NYSE:CCL - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, March 27th. The company reported $0.20 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.18 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $6.17 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.13 billion. Carnival had a net margin of 11.48% and a return on equity of 26.92%. The company's quarterly revenue was up 6.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $0.13 earnings per share. Equities analysts expect that Carnival Corporation will post 2.23 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Susquehanna lowered their target price on shares of Carnival from $40.00 to $30.00 and set a "positive" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, March 23rd. Sanford C. Bernstein lowered their target price on shares of Carnival from $33.00 to $28.70 and set a "market perform" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, March 30th. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their target price on shares of Carnival from $34.00 to $30.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, March 11th. UBS Group lowered their target price on shares of Carnival from $38.00 to $35.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, April 13th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on shares of Carnival from $37.00 to $36.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 15th. Twenty-one equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $33.99.

Trending Headlines about Carnival

Here are the key news stories impacting Carnival this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Carnival launched a unified digital supply-chain and maintenance platform across its eight brands using advanced forecasting and AI-driven modeling — management says this standardization should reduce logistics and inventory friction and create potential valuation upside from efficiency gains. Carnival Digital Overhaul Links AI Supply Chain To Valuation Upside
• Positive Sentiment: Carnival completed the unification of its dual-listed structure and redomiciled to Bermuda, consolidating Carnival plc as a UK subsidiary — a corporate simplification that can improve governance, reduce complexity for investors, and remove an overhang that previously complicated valuation. Carnival Corporation & plc Completes Unification
• Positive Sentiment: Ongoing fleet investments and capacity moves (new ship arrivals, LNG-powered orders, biofuel trials) plus plans for a consolidated Miami campus aim to support long-term growth, operational efficiencies and sustainability goals — these are constructive for demand and cost trajectory over time. Carnival’s Fleet Expansion and New Miami Campus Could Be A Game Changer
• Neutral Sentiment: Brand-level product updates: Holland America’s renovated Oosterdam and Cunard’s new 2028 voyages expand booking inventory and product appeal — positive for bookings but more likely to show up gradually in revenue rather than move the stock immediately. Newly Renovated Oosterdam to Cruise Europe
• Negative Sentiment: Unusually large options activity: investors bought ~91,701 put contracts (about 52% above typical daily put volume), indicating elevated hedging or bearish positioning that could pressure the stock if sentiment shifts negative.

Insider Activity at Carnival

In related news, Director Sir Jonathon Band sold 11,988 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, April 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $26.19, for a total transaction of $313,965.72. Following the transaction, the director owned 52,601 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,377,620.19. This represents a 18.56% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 7.90% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

About Carnival

Carnival Corporation NYSE: CCL is a global cruise operator that provides leisure travel services through a portfolio of passenger cruise brands. The company's core business is operating cruise ships that offer multi-night voyages and associated vacation services, including onboard accommodations, dining, entertainment, spa and wellness offerings, casinos, youth programs, and organized shore excursions. Carnival markets cruise vacations to a broad range of consumers, from value-focused travelers to premium and luxury segments, through differentiated brand positioning and onboard experiences.

Its operating structure comprises multiple well-known cruise brands that target distinct geographic and demographic markets.

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