Royal Caribbean shares fall as earnings tops estimates but Q4 guidance disappoints

Investing.com -- Royal Caribbean reported strong third-quarter results but saw its shares drop 4% as fourth-quarter earnings guidance fell short of analyst expectations.

The cruise operator posted adjusted earnings per share of $5.20 for Q3, beating the analyst consensus of $5.04. Revenue came in at $4.89 billion, in line with estimates.

However, Royal Caribbean (NYSE:RCL )'s Q4 EPS guidance of $1.40-$1.45 missed the $1.57 analysts were expecting. The company cited a $0.24 per share headwind in Q4, with one-third related to Hurricane Milton and the rest due to cost timing shifts and higher stock compensation expenses.

For the full year 2024, Royal Caribbean raised its adjusted EPS guidance to $11.57-$11.62, in line with the $11.58 consensus.

"Our exceptional third quarter results and increased full year expectations reflect the robust demand for our differentiated vacation experiences," said Jason Liberty, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group.

The company reported strong booking trends, with load factors at 111% in Q3. Net yields increased 7.9% YoY in constant currency, driven by higher pricing and strong onboard revenue.

Looking ahead, Royal Caribbean sees continued strength in 2025 bookings. "While we are still very early in the planning process, we anticipate earnings per share in 2025 to start with a $14 handle," Liberty added.

Despite the positives, investors appeared focused on the softer Q4 guidance, sending shares lower in early trading. 

Source: Investing.com