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CCL vs RCL
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Carnival Corporation (CCL) vs. Royal Caribbean Group (RCL) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Carnival Corporation (CCL) and Royal Caribbean Group (RCL) both operate in the cruise industry, benefiting from strong post-pandemic demand and high booking levels in recent weeks.
- CCL reported Q2 2026 revenue of $6.66 billion, meeting expectations, but disappointed on summer profit outlook, contributing to recent stock pressure.
- RCL delivered robust Q1 2026 results with adjusted EPS of $3.60 and provided 2026 guidance of $17.70–$18.10 adjusted EPS, supporting relative outperformance.
- CCL shares have traded near $26–$27 recently with notable year-to-date declines from earlier highs, while RCL shares hover around $293–$294 amid mixed monthly moves.
- Both companies face sector risks including fuel costs and economic sensitivity, but RCL shows stronger momentum in earnings growth and analyst positioning.
- Market sentiment reflects cruise sector resilience, with investor focus on capacity expansion, bookings at premium prices, and cost management.
Introduction
Carnival Corporation (CCL) and Royal Caribbean Group (RCL) represent the two largest publicly traded cruise operators, making them natural subjects for comparison among investors seeking exposure to the leisure travel recovery. This analysis examines their recent stock behavior, operational developments, and relative positioning in a market environment shaped by strong consumer demand for cruises alongside ongoing cost pressures. The comparison is particularly relevant for traders and investors focused on consumer discretionary stocks, sector rotation within travel and leisure, or diversified portfolios that include cyclical names sensitive to economic conditions and fuel prices. Data draws from earnings reports and market activity over recent weeks to provide a balanced view of performance drivers.
CCL Overview and Recent Performance
Carnival Corporation (CCL) is the world’s largest cruise operator by fleet capacity, offering a broad portfolio of brands targeting mass-market and premium segments. In recent market activity, the stock has traded in the mid-to-upper $20s, reflecting a pullback from earlier 2026 highs amid broader sector volatility. Q2 2026 results showed revenue growth of 5.3% year-over-year to $6.66 billion, in line with expectations, supported by solid bookings at historically high prices. However, guidance on summer profitability introduced caution due to fuel cost headwinds and other operational factors, leading to downward pressure on the shares. Sentiment has been influenced by capacity additions, including new vessel launches, alongside ongoing debt management efforts in a higher-interest-rate environment. Overall, recent performance highlights CCL’s scale advantages tempered by sensitivity to input costs.
RCL Overview and Recent Performance
Royal Caribbean Group (RCL) operates a fleet focused on premium and luxury experiences, with strong brand recognition in the upscale cruise segment. The stock has recently traded near $293–$294, showing resilience relative to peers despite a pullback over the past month. Q1 2026 results exceeded expectations, with adjusted EPS reaching $3.60 and revenue growth reflecting robust demand. The company issued 2026 adjusted EPS guidance in the $17.70–$18.10 range, underscoring continued momentum from record booking levels and operational efficiencies. Recent market activity has been shaped by anticipation of Q2 earnings scheduled for late July, positive capital return initiatives, and fleet modernization efforts. Sentiment remains supported by strong consumer interest in experiential travel, though the stock has faced typical sector fluctuations tied to macroeconomic signals.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Carnival Corporation (CCL) and Royal Caribbean Group (RCL) share exposure to the cruise sector’s cyclical recovery but differ in scale, target segments, and recent execution. CCL benefits from greater fleet size and broader brand reach, supporting volume leadership, while RCL emphasizes premium positioning that has translated into stronger margin expansion and earnings growth in recent quarters. Momentum favors RCL, evidenced by more consistent upward revisions in guidance and relative stock stability compared with CCL’s sharper reaction to profit outlook concerns. Risk factors overlap in fuel price volatility and economic sensitivity, though CCL carries a heavier debt load historically. Sector exposure is nearly identical, yet market sentiment has tilted toward RCL’s more optimistic forward outlook. Trade-offs include CCL’s potentially lower valuation multiple versus RCL’s demonstrated ability to deliver superior returns on invested capital amid capacity growth.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors such as trend consistency in earnings delivery, stability of forward guidance, and relative positioning within the cruise sector, Tickeron’s AI would currently assign a probabilistic preference to Royal Caribbean Group (RCL) over Carnival Corporation (CCL). Stronger recent momentum in bookings and profitability metrics, combined with clearer catalysts around upcoming earnings, support this tilt, though both names remain subject to shared industry dynamics that could alter relative performance.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is CCL is a Hold and RCL is a StrongBuy.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
CCL’s FA Score shows that 0 FA rating(s) are green whileRCL’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s).
- CCL’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 red.
- RCL’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
CCL’s TA Score shows that 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while RCL’s TA Score has 6 bullish TA indicator(s).
- CCL’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 5 bearish.
- RCL’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
CCL (@Consumer Sundries) experienced а +5.62% price change this week, while RCL (@Consumer Sundries) price change was +8.43% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Consumer Sundries industry was +2.52%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -1.88%, and the average quarterly price growth was -0.27%.
Reported Earning Dates
CCL is expected to report earnings on Sep 17, 2026.
RCL is expected to report earnings on Nov 03, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Consumer Sundries (+2.52% weekly)Consumer sundries companies make products that usually do not have another classification, such as lawn and garden products, pest-control products, pet food and pet products like leashes, collars, and harnesses. Central Garden & Pet Company and Dogness (International) Corporation are examples of companies operating in this industry.
| CCL | RCL | CCL / RCL | |
| Capitalization | 38.1B | 85.1B | 45% |
| EBITDA | 7.16B | 7.36B | 97% |
| Gain YTD | -7.958 | 15.322 | -52% |
| P/E Ratio | 12.53 | 19.66 | 64% |
| Revenue | 27.3B | 18.7B | 146% |
| Total Cash | 2.24B | 875M | 256% |
| Total Debt | 26.2B | 23.5B | 111% |
CCL | RCL | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 8 | 12 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 34 Fair valued | 55 Fair valued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 92 | 22 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 37 | 23 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 57 | 46 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 74 | 70 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | n/a | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
CCL's Valuation (34) in the Hotels Or Resorts Or Cruiselines industry is in the same range as RCL (55). This means that CCL’s stock grew similarly to RCL’s over the last 12 months.
RCL's Profit vs Risk Rating (22) in the Hotels Or Resorts Or Cruiselines industry is significantly better than the same rating for CCL (92). This means that RCL’s stock grew significantly faster than CCL’s over the last 12 months.
RCL's SMR Rating (23) in the Hotels Or Resorts Or Cruiselines industry is in the same range as CCL (37). This means that RCL’s stock grew similarly to CCL’s over the last 12 months.
RCL's Price Growth Rating (46) in the Hotels Or Resorts Or Cruiselines industry is in the same range as CCL (57). This means that RCL’s stock grew similarly to CCL’s over the last 12 months.
RCL's P/E Growth Rating (70) in the Hotels Or Resorts Or Cruiselines industry is in the same range as CCL (74). This means that RCL’s stock grew similarly to CCL’s over the last 12 months.
| CCL | RCL | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | N/A | 3 days ago 64% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 78% | 3 days ago 69% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 78% | 3 days ago 79% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 67% | 3 days ago 74% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 79% | 3 days ago 81% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 73% | 3 days ago 79% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 6 days ago 76% | 5 days ago 83% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 77% | 3 days ago 71% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 77% | 3 days ago 67% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 70% | 3 days ago 80% |
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CCL and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, CCL has been closely correlated with NCLH. These tickers have moved in lockstep 81% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if CCL jumps, then NCLH could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To CCL | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CCL | 100% | +0.14% | ||
| NCLH - CCL | 81% Closely correlated | -1.01% | ||
| RCL - CCL | 79% Closely correlated | -1.13% | ||
| VIK - CCL | 77% Closely correlated | -0.10% | ||
| LIND - CCL | 63% Loosely correlated | -0.70% | ||
| TNL - CCL | 53% Loosely correlated | +1.13% | ||
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RCL and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, RCL has been closely correlated with CCL. These tickers have moved in lockstep 79% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if RCL jumps, then CCL could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To RCL | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RCL | 100% | -1.13% | ||
| CCL - RCL | 79% Closely correlated | +0.14% | ||
| NCLH - RCL | 72% Closely correlated | -1.01% | ||
| VIK - RCL | 70% Closely correlated | -0.10% | ||
| LIND - RCL | 58% Loosely correlated | -0.70% | ||
| TNL - RCL | 47% Loosely correlated | +1.13% | ||
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