Quantitative Investment Management LLC Makes New Investment in Carnival Corporation $CCL

Quantitative Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in Carnival Corporation (NYSE:CCL) during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 51,706 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,494,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the business. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Carnival during the 2nd quarter valued at about $25,000. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Carnival by 182.0% in the third quarter. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC now owns 1,021 shares of the company’s stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 659 shares during the last quarter. LRI Investments LLC acquired a new position in Carnival in the third quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Farmers & Merchants Investments Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Carnival by 140.6% during the third quarter. Farmers & Merchants Investments Inc. now owns 1,516 shares of the company’s stock valued at $44,000 after purchasing an additional 886 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Carnival by 170.5% during the third quarter. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. now owns 1,934 shares of the company’s stock valued at $56,000 after purchasing an additional 1,219 shares during the last quarter. 67.19% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Carnival Price Performance

NYSE:CCL opened at $23.89 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.28, a current ratio of 0.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.96. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $30.32 and its 200 day moving average price is $29.38. Carnival Corporation has a 52-week low of $15.07 and a 52-week high of $34.03. The firm has a market cap of $29.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.95, a PEG ratio of 0.95 and a beta of 2.42.

Carnival (NYSE:CCL) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, December 19th. The company reported $0.34 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.25 by $0.09. Carnival had a net margin of 10.37% and a return on equity of 28.39%. The company had revenue of $6.33 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.38 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.14 EPS. Carnival’s revenue was up 6.6% on a year-over-year basis. Carnival has set its Q1 2026 guidance at 0.170-0.170 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 2.480-2.48 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Carnival Corporation will post 1.77 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Carnival Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 27th. Investors of record on Friday, February 13th were paid a dividend of $0.15 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 13th. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.5%. Carnival’s dividend payout ratio is currently 30.00%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

CCL has been the topic of several recent research reports. Argus reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $35.00 price target on shares of Carnival in a report on Monday, December 22nd. Wolfe Research reaffirmed an “outperform” rating on shares of Carnival in a research report on Friday, December 19th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on Carnival from $38.00 to $40.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, March 5th. Mizuho boosted their price target on shares of Carnival from $37.00 to $38.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Monday, December 22nd. Finally, Barclays lowered their price target on shares of Carnival from $37.00 to $36.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, December 17th. Nineteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Carnival has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $34.70.

Carnival News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Carnival this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Seabourn (Carnival’s luxury brand) announced “The Denali Experience,” an eight-day pre-cruise program for 2027–2028 that expands high-margin luxury offerings and could help yield and pricing in the premium segment. SEABOURN INTRODUCES THE DENALI EXPERIENCE, EXTENDING ALASKA VOYAGES INTO THE HEART OF DENALI NATIONAL PARK IN 2027 AND 2028
• Neutral Sentiment: Analysts and market write-ups show valuation momentum cooling after recent gains; investors are reassessing whether the stock’s run is sustainable amid mixed short-term performance. Assessing Carnival Corporation (CCL) Valuation After Recent Share Price Cooling
• Neutral Sentiment: Industry context: Royal Caribbean’s strong EBITDA trajectory highlights solid cruise demand but also raises competitive and margin-comparison considerations for Carnival. RCL’s EBITDA Nears $8B Target: How Strong Is the Profitability Story?
• Negative Sentiment: Market reaction: a Zacks note flagged Carnival’s share decline (the stock fell more than the broader market), reflecting the immediate selling pressure and raising short-term technical/flow risk. Carnival (CCL) Declines More Than Market: Some Information for Investors
• Negative Sentiment: Macro/commodity risk: reports link the share drop to heightened Middle East tensions that lifted oil prices — a direct cost headwind for cruise operators (fuel is a sizable operating input). Carnival (CCL) Stock Slides As Middle East Tensions Lift Oil
• Negative Sentiment: Analyst pressure: Stifel trimmed its price target (while keeping a Buy) and Goldman lowered its target to $30 (still a Buy) — both actions signal rising near-term headwinds (fuel costs, sentiment) and reduce upside expectations. Wall Street Still Likes Carnival $CCL But Still Drops Price Target Goldman Lowers Price Target on Carnival
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks moved Carnival from “strong-buy” to “hold,” increasing perceived near-term risk and likely contributing to selling pressure among momentum-driven holders. Zacks Research

Carnival Company 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.