Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd Grows Holdings in Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. $RCL

Key Points

• Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management increased its Royal Caribbean stake by 41.8% in the second quarter, bringing its holdings to 81,075 shares valued at approximately $25.7 million. Institutional investors collectively own 87.53% of RCL.
• Royal Caribbean exceeded quarterly expectations with EPS of $4.21 versus the $3.98 consensus and revenue of $4.83 billion, up 6.5% year over year. The company projected fiscal 2026 EPS of $17.73–$17.87.
• Analyst sentiment is moderately bullish, with an average “Moderate Buy” rating and a $353.40 price target versus the recent share price near $310. However, CEO Michael Bayley sold 12,811 shares, reducing his ownership by 22.05%.

Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd increased its stake in shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE:RCL - Free Report) by 41.8% in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 81,075 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 23,908 shares during the period. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd's holdings in Royal Caribbean Cruises were worth $25,744,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in RCL. Capital International Investors lifted its stake in Royal Caribbean Cruises by 9.8% during the 4th quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 36,165,358 shares of the company's stock worth $10,088,156,000 after acquiring an additional 3,215,382 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Royal Caribbean Cruises during the fourth quarter worth about $456,752,000. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC lifted its position in shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises by 25,747.4% during the fourth quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 1,202,161 shares of the company's stock worth $335,307,000 after purchasing an additional 1,197,510 shares in the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors lifted its position in shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises by 4.8% during the fourth quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 20,176,544 shares of the company's stock worth $5,627,669,000 after purchasing an additional 920,042 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Janus Henderson Group PLC lifted its position in shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises by 23.9% during the fourth quarter. Janus Henderson Group PLC now owns 2,416,425 shares of the company's stock worth $673,990,000 after purchasing an additional 465,401 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.53% of the company's stock.

More Royal Caribbean Cruises News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks raised its FY2026 EPS estimate to $17.73 from $17.13, bringing it close to the broader consensus estimate of $17.79. The firm also increased its estimates for Q3 2026, Q4 2026, FY2027, Q4 2027 and FY2028, suggesting expectations for continued earnings growth. Are Wall Street Analysts Predicting Royal Caribbean Cruises Stock Will Climb or Sink?
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks lifted its FY2027 EPS forecast to $19.10 from $19.06 and FY2028 EPS forecast to $22.09 from $22.04. Although the revisions were modest, they reinforce expectations that Royal Caribbean’s earnings can expand beyond 2026.
• Positive Sentiment: Brokerages’ average price target is approximately $353.40, materially above the stock’s recent trading level near $310, implying potential upside if the company meets or exceeds earnings expectations. Brokerages Set Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Price Target at $353.40
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst sentiment remains mixed rather than strongly bullish. Zacks Research maintains a Hold rating, while broader Wall Street commentary describes the outlook as cautiously optimistic despite RCL’s lagging the overall market over the past year. Analysts’ Opinions Are Mixed on Royal Caribbean
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks lowered its Q1 2027 EPS estimate to $3.66 from $3.68, Q1 2028 to $4.92 from $5.20, and Q2 2028 to $5.49 from $5.65. These reductions indicate some pressure or uncertainty in specific seasonal periods, partially offsetting the broader upward revisions.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Loop Capital started coverage on shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises in a report on Monday, June 1st. They issued a "hold" rating and a $304.00 price objective for the company. Susquehanna increased their target price on shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises from $350.00 to $372.00 and gave the stock a "positive" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 29th. Freedom Capital cut shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 29th. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Thursday, June 18th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises from $361.00 to $388.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 29th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have assigned a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $353.40.

Insider Activity at Royal Caribbean Cruises

In related news, CEO Michael W. Bayley sold 12,811 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $315.99, for a total value of $4,048,147.89. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 45,297 shares of the company's stock, valued at $14,313,399.03. This represents a 22.05% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Insiders own 6.44% of the company's stock.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Stock Up 0.8%

Shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises stock opened at $310.32 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.19, a current ratio of 0.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.03. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. has a 52-week low of $232.10 and a 52-week high of $366.50. The company has a market capitalization of $82.99 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.18, a P/E/G ratio of 1.05 and a beta of 1.77. The company has a 50 day moving average of $302.35 and a 200 day moving average of $292.07.

Royal Caribbean Cruises (NYSE:RCL - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 28th. The company reported $4.21 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates 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 company had revenue of $4.83 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.82 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $4.38 EPS. The company's quarterly revenue was up 6.5% compared to the same quarter last year. 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. As a group, research analysts forecast that Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. will post 17.78 EPS for the current fiscal year.

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.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.

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