JPMorgan Chase & Co. Downgrades Norwegian Cruise Line (NYSE:NCLH) to Neutral

Norwegian Cruise Line (NYSE:NCLH) was downgraded by stock analysts at JPMorgan Chase & Co. from an “overweight” rating to a “neutral” rating in a research report issued on Friday, Marketbeat Ratings reports. They presently have a $20.00 target price on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co.‘s target price indicates a potential downside of 14.02% from the stock’s previous close.

Other equities research analysts have also issued reports about the company. UBS Group restated a “neutral” rating on shares of Norwegian Cruise Line in a research report on Wednesday, January 21st. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Norwegian Cruise Line in a research report on Thursday, January 22nd. TD Cowen reissued a “buy” rating on shares of Norwegian Cruise Line in a research report on Tuesday, January 13th. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered shares of Norwegian Cruise Line from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and dropped their price objective for the stock from $23.00 to $21.00 in a research note on Tuesday, December 9th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on shares of Norwegian Cruise Line from $29.00 to $33.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 13th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have given a Buy rating and twelve have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $26.32.

Norwegian Cruise Line Price Performance

Shares of NYSE NCLH opened at $23.26 on Friday. Norwegian Cruise Line has a 1 year low of $14.21 and a 1 year high of $27.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.22, a current ratio of 0.19 and a quick ratio of 0.17. The company’s 50-day moving average is $22.19 and its 200 day moving average is $22.66. The stock has a market capitalization of $10.59 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.10, a P/E/G ratio of 0.57 and a beta of 2.06.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Capital International Investors boosted its position in Norwegian Cruise Line by 7.1% in the fourth quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 56,177,669 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,253,886,000 after purchasing an additional 3,728,929 shares during the last quarter. Ariel Investments LLC grew its position in Norwegian Cruise Line by 36.2% during the second quarter. Ariel Investments LLC now owns 12,369,377 shares of the company’s stock valued at $250,851,000 after buying an additional 3,288,207 shares during the period. Freestone Grove Partners LP grew its position in Norwegian Cruise Line by 338.8% during the third quarter. Freestone Grove Partners LP now owns 3,690,333 shares of the company’s stock valued at $90,893,000 after buying an additional 2,849,349 shares during the period. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Norwegian Cruise Line during the second quarter valued at approximately $49,620,000. Finally, Balyasny Asset Management L.P. raised its position in Norwegian Cruise Line by 626.3% in the third quarter. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. now owns 2,771,061 shares of the company’s stock worth $68,251,000 after acquiring an additional 2,389,540 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 69.58% of the company’s stock.

Norwegian Cruise Line Company Profile

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: NCLH) is a global cruise operator offering a portfolio of premium brands that includes Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. The company provides sea voyages and related onboard services such as dining, entertainment, shore excursions and destination experiences. Its fleet of modern vessels sails to more than 400 destinations across all seven continents, serving leisure travelers with itineraries ranging from short Caribbean getaways to extended world voyages.

Founded in 1966 by Knut Kloster and Ted Arison, the company pioneered the concept of “Freestyle Cruising,” which allows passengers greater flexibility in dining schedules, entertainment choices and onboard activities.