Royal Caribbean Cruises (RCL-N)

RCL had a big quarter just announced, and of course has staged a huge recovery from the pandemic. Royal's expectation of a 3.5% yield gain in 2025 echoes robust onboard spending and strong demand for Europe and Alaska itineraries, with accelerated bookings in the last five weeks. Royal characterized its plan to launch river cruising -- with an initial 10-ship order and several launching in 2027 -- as an opportunity to gain share in a complementary, high-end niche with shorter construction lead times and cross-marketing opportunities. That plan sets the stage for a river fleet with capacity about 11% the size of rival Viking, including current and ordered vessels. Royal's 1Q guidance midpoint implies gains of 5% in yield and 1.85% in non-fuel unit cost. Its 4Q unit-cost growth of 13.5% was slightly above 11.6-12.1% guidance due to 340 bps from higher stock-based compensation. The stock is 18X earnings and very strong growth is predicted. It is still heavily leveraged at debt/cashflow 4X, but it is in better financial shape than many peers. Cyclicality of course remains high, but we think it is interesting as a higher risk buy for those investors willing to accept some financial and economic risks here. Its recent results and move to river cruises we think are quite positive developments. 
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It feeds into the travel theme, surprising in 2024. Cruise lines and airlines did well this year.

Good-looking chart, the trend is your friend. Slightly off its trendline, so a correction is probably due and you can buy on that pullback. Perhaps correcting to the $210 level.

He doesn't like how everyday another analyst raises their price target on his stock. He prefers Viking now.

They defied even his own skepticism. They delivered a remarkable quarter: renewed strength from Asia, helped by stimulus in China. They lead in cruises.

Both are good. RCL is s good play on the consumers. Shares are up 35% this year. NVDA: he just heard from demand for their Blackwell is insane.

In the space, he'd prefer a name like RCL, given its scale and leadership capabilities. Performing well from a technical perspective. Though lower interest rates will help the debt situation, you do need to be concerned in the near term with the consumer and the economy.

Up till Covid, well-positioned to take advantage of increased cruising. Had to offer new shares, which diluted shares and increased debt. Clawing their way back up from lows. Cruise industry is very positive for next 12 months. Down with overall market today.

RCL is in better shape and better managed.

He took profits not too long ago. Likes the name longer term, demographics speak to more travel. He'd prefer a name like BKNG, which takes away cost of ship maintenance, etc.

The leader among the top 3. Chart's a bit extended, overbought. He'd consider it at a lower valuation.

Best among the cruise line stocks given its healthy balance sheet, better than Carnival. Tailwind comes from demand post-pandemic. The #3 S&P stock of 2023, up over 160%. There remains huge demand from Americans. Also, Wall Street no longer expects a hard landing to the economy, which a soft one which benefits the cruise lines.

It is close to where it was at the beginning of the pandemic but has issued substantial shares since then. Continue to hold but you could lighten up when the holiday season is over. People are spending more on basics like clothes and shoes this Christmas season and other spending is down.

Cruise lines have all done well because travel is booming. He'd pick this one, but they'll all do well. Q3 is generally their best quarter. Run up a lot already, so may see a pullback after Q3. Pent-up demand might even last into 2024.

Discouraged by Carnival's results today. A strong pass.

Shut down during Covid, but the cruise stocks are bouncing back. Life is too short thesis: people can't wait to experience things.