Sterling Capital Management LLC Increases Stake in Carnival Corporation $CCL

Key Points

• Sterling Capital Management LLC increased its Carnival stake by 65.7% in the first quarter, buying 50,841 more shares to bring its total holdings to 128,282 shares worth about $3.32 million.
• Carnival reported Q2 earnings of $0.41 per share, topping expectations, while revenue came in at $6.66 billion and rose 5.3% year over year. The company also reiterated guidance, with analysts now expecting about $2.22 EPS for the full year.
• Analysts remain generally positive on CCL: the stock carries a Moderate Buy consensus, with an average price target of $35.13, even as some firms trimmed targets or held cautious ratings.

Sterling Capital Management LLC raised its stake in Carnival Corporation (NYSE:CCL - Free Report) by 65.7% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 128,282 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 50,841 shares during the quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC's holdings in Carnival were worth $3,320,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. BOCHK Asset Management Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Carnival in the fourth quarter worth $25,000. Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLC purchased a new stake in Carnival during the 3rd quarter valued at $25,000. Lloyd Advisory Services LLC. purchased a new stake in Carnival during the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. grew its holdings in Carnival by 381.0% in the 4th quarter. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 962 shares of the company's stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 762 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Optima Capital LLC bought a new stake in Carnival in the 4th quarter worth $32,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 67.19% of the company's stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, insider Bettina Alejandra Deynes sold 43,058 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $28.10, for a total value of $1,209,929.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 69,238 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,945,587.80. This represents a 38.34% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Sir Jonathon Band sold 11,988 shares of the firm'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 value of $313,965.72. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 52,601 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,377,620.19. The trade was a 18.56% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold a total of 55,058 shares of company stock worth $1,524,195 in the last quarter. Company insiders own 7.90% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have recently commented on CCL shares. HSBC raised shares of Carnival from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and lowered their price objective for the company from $33.60 to $30.10 in a research note on Monday, March 30th. Truist Financial cut their target price on Carnival from $30.00 to $29.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, May 22nd. TD Cowen boosted their price target on Carnival from $33.00 to $34.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, May 15th. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price target on Carnival from $35.00 to $36.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, June 12th. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut Carnival from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Saturday, March 28th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty have issued a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $35.13.

Carnival Trading Up 2.3%

NYSE:CCL opened at $29.11 on Friday. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $27.37 and a 200-day moving average price of $28.41. Carnival Corporation has a 12 month low of $23.45 and a 12 month high of $34.03. The company has a current ratio of 0.33, a quick ratio of 0.26 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.80. The stock has a market cap of $36.06 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.11, a P/E/G ratio of 1.29 and a beta of 2.32.

Carnival (NYSE:CCL - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, June 23rd. The company reported $0.41 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.34 by $0.07. Carnival had a net margin of 11.24% and a return on equity of 26.11%. The firm had revenue of $6.66 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.69 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.35 EPS. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 5.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Carnival has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.220-2.220 EPS and its Q3 2026 guidance at 1.350-1.350 EPS. Equities analysts predict that Carnival Corporation will post 2.22 EPS for the current year.

Carnival Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 29th. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 18th were given a dividend of $0.15 per share. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, May 18th. Carnival's payout ratio is presently 27.03%.

Carnival News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Carnival this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Carnival reported a robust Q2 2026 with record net income, record net yields for the twelfth straight quarter, and record customer deposits, signaling resilient cruise demand and strong pricing power. Carnival Corporation Ltd (CCL) Q2 2026 Earnings Call Highlights: Record Profits and Strategic ...
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts remain constructive overall, with some commentary pointing to upside potential as Wall Street stays bullish on cruise demand despite Europe-related headwinds. CCL stock gains premarket: Wall Street stays bullish on Carnival’s cruise demand despite Europe headwinds
• Positive Sentiment: Jefferies reiterated a Buy rating and a $35 price target, saying reduced fiscal 2026 guidance reflects near-term pressure rather than a change in Carnival’s longer-term trajectory. Carnival faces near-term headwinds, but long-term outlook remains intact, says Jefferies
• Neutral Sentiment: Carnival also drew attention for a community initiative expanding its surplus meal donation program to the Dominican Republic, a reputationally positive move but not a direct earnings driver. Carnival Corporation Expands Surplus Meal Donation Program to the Dominican Republic
• Neutral Sentiment: Several recent articles framed CCL as a stock with strong fundamentals but lingering debate over debt, fuel costs, booking trends, and geopolitical uncertainty, which helps explain why the shares remain volatile. Carnival's Second Quarter: Is the Stock Still Complicated?
• Negative Sentiment: UBS said Carnival is unlikely to benefit much from any improvement in booking trends in 2026, suggesting limited near-term earnings upside. Carnival is Unlikely to Benefit From any Improvement in Booking Trends in 2026, UBS Says
• Negative Sentiment: Investor sentiment was also weighed down by reports that Carnival stock slipped after earnings and by separate headlines about onboard misconduct and a customs altercation, which can add reputational noise around the name. 3 Answers That Burned Carnival Stock Investors This Week

Carnival Profile

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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