Yahoo Finance Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCL) Hits Fresh High: Is There Still Room to Run?
Have you been paying attention to shares of Royal Caribbean (RCL)? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 5.4% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $151.16 in the previous session. Royal Caribbean has gained 16.6% since the start of the year compared to the -1.9% move for the Zacks Consumer Discretionary sector and the 1% return for the Zacks Leisure and Recreation Services industry.
What's Driving the Outperformance?
The stock has an impressive record of positive earnings surprises, as it hasn't missed our earnings consensus estimate in any of the last four quarters. In its last earnings report on April 25, 2024, Royal Caribbean reported EPS of $1.77 versus consensus estimate of $1.31 while it beat the consensus revenue estimate by 1.24%.
For the current fiscal year, Royal Caribbean is expected to post earnings of $11.08 per share on $16.23 billion in revenues. This represents a 63.66% change in EPS on a 16.79% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $12.76 per share on $17.66 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 15.21% and 8.81%, respectively.
Valuation Metrics
Royal Caribbean may be at a 52-week high right now, but what might the future hold for the stock? A key aspect of this question is taking a look at valuation metrics in order to determine if the company is due for a pullback from this level.
On this front, we can look at the Zacks Style Scores, as these give investors a variety of ways to comb through stocks (beyond looking at the Zacks Rank of a security). These styles are represented by grades running from A to F in the categories of Value, Growth, and Momentum, while there is a combined VGM Score as well. The idea behind the style scores is to help investors pick the most appropriate Zacks Rank stocks based on their individual investment style.
Royal Caribbean has a Value Score of B. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are B and F, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of B.
In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 13.6X current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is not in-line with the peer industry average of 16.5X. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 11.4X versus its peer group's average of 7.2X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 0.46. This isn't enough to put the company in the top echelon of all stocks we cover from a value perspective.
Zacks Rank
We also need to consider the stock's Zacks Rank, as this supersedes any trend on the style score front. Fortunately, Royal Caribbean currently has a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy) thanks to favorable earnings estimate revisions from covering analysts.
Since we recommend that investors select stocks carrying Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) and Style Scores of A or B, it looks as if Royal Caribbean passes the test. Thus, it seems as though Royal Caribbean shares could still be poised for more gains ahead.
How Does RCL Stack Up to the Competition?
Shares of RCL have been soaring, and the company still appears to be a decent choice, but what about the rest of the industry? One industry peer that looks good is Target Hospitality Corp. (TH). TH has a Zacks Rank of # 2 (Buy) and a Value Score of A, a Growth Score of D, and a Momentum Score of B.
Earnings were strong last quarter. Target Hospitality Corp. beat our consensus estimate by 33.33%, and for the current fiscal year, TH is expected to post earnings of $0.70 per share on revenue of $412.37 million.
Shares of Target Hospitality Corp. have gained 1.4% over the past month, and currently trade at a forward P/E of 16.11X and a P/CF of 4.52X.
The Leisure and Recreation Services industry is in the top 34% of all the industries we have in our universe, so it looks like there are some nice tailwinds for RCL and TH, even beyond their own solid fundamental situation.
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Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCL) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Target Hospitality Corp. (TH) : Free Stock Analysis Report
