What is Zacks Research’s Forecast for RCL FY2026 Earnings?

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE:RCL) – Equities researchers at Zacks Research increased their FY2026 earnings per share estimates for shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises in a research note issued to investors on Monday, November 9th. Zacks Research analyst Team now forecasts that the company will post earnings per share of $17.92 for the year, up from their prior estimate of $17.73. The consensus estimate for Royal Caribbean Cruises’ current full-year earnings is $17.94 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Royal Caribbean Cruises’ Q4 2026 earnings at $3.54 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $3.67 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $4.92 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $6.18 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $4.65 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $19.42 EPS, Q1 2028 earnings at $4.93 EPS, Q2 2028 earnings at $5.46 EPS, Q3 2028 earnings at $6.74 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $22.62 EPS.

A number of other research analysts have also recently issued reports on RCL. Susquehanna lifted their target price on Royal Caribbean Cruises from $355.00 to $360.00 and gave the company a “positive” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 28th. Barclays increased their target price on shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises from $337.00 to $350.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 28th. Argus raised their price target on shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises from $330.00 to $375.00 in a research note on Tuesday, July 28th. Citigroup lifted their price target on shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises from $362.00 to $364.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, October 29th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group set a $350.00 price target on shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 28th. Twenty-one investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $355.62.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Price Performance

Shares of RCL stock opened at $337.18 on Tuesday. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $276.38 and a 200 day simple moving average of $288.17. The company has a market cap of $90.19 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.96, a P/E/G ratio of 1.16 and a beta of 1.88. The company has a quick ratio of 0.19, a current ratio of 0.22 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.69. Royal Caribbean Cruises has a twelve month low of $222.22 and a twelve month high of $356.39.

Royal Caribbean Cruises (NYSE:RCL) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 27th. The company reported $6.57 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $6.38 by $0.19. Royal Caribbean Cruises had a return on equity of 43.40% and a net margin of 23.78%. The company had revenue of $5.59 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $5.61 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $5.75 EPS. Royal Caribbean Cruises’s revenue was up 8.8% on a year-over-year basis.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, October 8th. Investors of record on Thursday, September 17th were issued a dividend of $1.50 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, September 17th. This represents a $6.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.8%. Royal Caribbean Cruises’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 35.52%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Royal Caribbean Cruises

In related news, Director Maritza Montiel sold 400 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Friday, October 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $307.21, for a total transaction of $122,884.00. Following the sale, the director owned 13,202 shares in the company, valued at $4,055,786.42. The trade was a 2.94% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Arne Wilhelmsen sold 30,000 shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $323.23, for a total value of $9,696,900.00. Following the sale, the director directly owned 16,185,910 shares in the company, valued at $5,231,771,689.30. The trade was a 0.19% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last three months, insiders have sold 250,400 shares of company stock worth $82,263,584. 6.44% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Danske Bank A S increased its position in Royal Caribbean Cruises by 0.8% in the 3rd quarter. Danske Bank A S now owns 135,741 shares of the company’s stock valued at $36,088,000 after acquiring an additional 1,032 shares during the period. Diversified Trust Co raised its stake in shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises by 19.8% during the third quarter. Diversified Trust Co now owns 23,480 shares of the company’s stock valued at $6,242,000 after acquiring an additional 3,882 shares during the last quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. raised its stake in shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises by 6.9% during the third quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. now owns 5,453 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,450,000 after acquiring an additional 352 shares during the last quarter. Valmark Advisers Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises by 2.5% during the third quarter. Valmark Advisers Inc. now owns 1,324 shares of the company’s stock worth $352,000 after purchasing an additional 32 shares during the period. Finally, Allworth Financial LP lifted its holdings in shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises by 4.7% during the third quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 5,602 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,489,000 after purchasing an additional 249 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 87.53% of the company’s stock.

Royal Caribbean Cruises News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks Research raised its full-year EPS estimate to $17.92 for 2026 from $17.73, and to $19.42 for 2027 from $19.10. Its 2028 forecast increased to $22.62 from $22.09, suggesting improving longer-term earnings expectations. MarketBeat
• Positive Sentiment: Falling crude prices helped lift cruise stocks in a broader market rally. Cheaper fuel can ease a significant operating expense for cruise operators, potentially supporting margins. Cruise Stocks Climb Amid Falling Crude Prices
• Positive Sentiment: A Zacks analysis says Royal Caribbean is targeting adjusted EPS in the $20 range for 2027, citing strong bookings, capacity growth and cost control—factors that could sustain earnings momentum if delivered. RCL Targets Adjusted EPS in the $20 Range for 2027: Can Momentum Last?
• Negative Sentiment: The analyst revisions were mixed: Zacks lowered estimates for Q4 2026 EPS to $3.54 from $3.60, Q2 2027 to $4.92 from $4.96, and Q2 2028 to $5.46 from $5.49. These modest cuts indicate some near-term caution, although other quarterly forecasts were raised. MarketBeat

About Royal Caribbean Cruises

Royal Caribbean Group, formerly known as Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., is a global cruise vacation company. Its brands include Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea Cruises, which offer voyages ranging from large-ship family vacations to premium and luxury experiences.

The company serves travelers through itineraries to destinations around the world, including the Caribbean, Europe, Alaska and Asia. Its vacation offerings combine onboard accommodations, dining and entertainment with shore excursions and visits to ports and private destinations.

Founded in 1968, the company is headquartered in Miami, Florida.