Zacks Research Issues Pessimistic Estimate for NCLH Earnings

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:NCLH) – Investment analysts at Zacks Research dropped their FY2026 earnings estimates for shares of Norwegian Cruise Line in a report released on Thursday, August 13th. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the company will earn $1.30 per share for the year, down from their prior forecast of $1.51. Zacks Research has a “Hold” rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for Norwegian Cruise Line’s current full-year earnings is $1.44 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Norwegian Cruise Line’s Q4 2026 earnings at ($0.15) EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at ($0.02) EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $0.37 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $0.93 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $0.03 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $1.31 EPS, Q1 2028 earnings at $0.06 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $1.74 EPS.

Norwegian Cruise Line (NYSE:NCLH) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The company reported $0.48 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.41 by $0.07. Norwegian Cruise Line had a net margin of 7.49% and a return on equity of 41.38%. The business had revenue of $2.64 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $2.65 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.51 EPS. Norwegian Cruise Line’s revenue was up 4.9% on a year-over-year basis. Norwegian Cruise Line has set its Q3 2026 guidance at 0.900-0.900 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 1.500-1.500 EPS.

Other research analysts also recently issued research reports about the company. Susquehanna restated a “neutral” rating and issued a $17.00 target price on shares of Norwegian Cruise Line in a research note on Tuesday, August 4th. Stifel Nicolaus cut their price target on Norwegian Cruise Line from $26.00 to $25.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, July 31st. TD Cowen lifted their price target on Norwegian Cruise Line from $22.00 to $24.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, June 23rd. Loop Capital assumed coverage on Norwegian Cruise Line in a research note on Monday, June 1st. They issued a “buy” rating and a $22.00 price target for the company. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Norwegian Cruise Line in a report on Monday, August 3rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating and sixteen have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Norwegian Cruise Line currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $21.05.

Norwegian Cruise Line Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:NCLH opened at $17.62 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $8.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.02, a P/E/G ratio of 1.19 and a beta of 1.90. Norwegian Cruise Line has a 1 year low of $14.53 and a 1 year high of $27.18. The company has a current ratio of 0.20, a quick ratio of 0.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.40. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $19.67 and a 200 day simple moving average of $19.76.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Norwegian Cruise Line

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in NCLH. SHP Wealth Management acquired a new stake in shares of Norwegian Cruise Line in the fourth quarter worth $26,000. MUFG Securities EMEA plc bought a new stake in shares of Norwegian Cruise Line during the 2nd quarter worth $26,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd acquired a new position in Norwegian Cruise Line in the 4th quarter valued at $31,000. Clearstead Advisors LLC grew its stake in Norwegian Cruise Line by 130.2% in the 4th quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC now owns 1,607 shares of the company’s stock valued at $36,000 after buying an additional 909 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Hilton Head Capital Partners LLC bought a new position in Norwegian Cruise Line in the 4th quarter worth $45,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 69.58% of the company’s stock.

Insider Transactions at Norwegian Cruise Line

In related news, Director Stephen G. Pagliuca purchased 685,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 2nd. The stock was bought at an average price of $18.06 per share, for a total transaction of $12,371,100.00. Following the purchase, the director owned 1,388,912 shares in the company, valued at $25,083,750.72. The trade was a 97.31% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CEO John Chidsey acquired 153,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 22nd. The shares were bought at an average cost of $16.37 per share, for a total transaction of $2,504,610.00. Following the acquisition, the chief executive officer owned 1,139,940 shares in the company, valued at $18,660,817.80. The trade was a 15.50% increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase is available in the SEC filing. Insiders acquired 1,533,000 shares of company stock valued at $27,496,910 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 0.25% of the company’s stock.

Key Stories Impacting Norwegian Cruise Line

Here are the key news stories impacting Norwegian Cruise Line this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks Research raised its Q2 2028 EPS estimate to $0.50 from $0.42, suggesting some longer-term earnings potential remains. However, Zacks continues to rate NCLH “Hold.”
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst consensus remains “Hold,” with a current-year EPS estimate of $1.44. Norwegian Cruise Line recently reported quarterly EPS of $0.48, above the $0.41 consensus, while revenue increased 4.9% year over year to $2.64 billion.
• Negative Sentiment: Mizuho downgraded Norwegian Cruise Line from Outperform to Neutral, citing rising leverage and the risk of a funding shortfall over the next 18 months. The firm also cut its price target to $17 from $22. Norwegian Cruise Line rating cut at Mizuho after self-inflicted wounds
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks Research broadly reduced its earnings outlook: FY2026 EPS fell to $1.30 from $1.51, FY2027 to $1.31 from $1.65, and FY2028 to $1.74 from $1.99. Quarterly estimates were also cut for Q4 2026, Q1-Q3 2027, Q4 2027 and Q1 2028, including a reduction in Q4 2026 expectations from positive $0.03 EPS to a loss of $0.15.
• Negative Sentiment: The revisions imply weaker near- and medium-term profitability than previously expected. Given NCLH’s high debt-to-equity ratio of 5.40 and low current and quick ratios, investors may be particularly sensitive to cash-flow, refinancing and demand risks.

About Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: NCLH) is a global cruise operator offering a portfolio of premium brands that includes Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. The company provides sea voyages and related onboard services such as dining, entertainment, shore excursions and destination experiences. Its fleet of modern vessels sails to more than 400 destinations across all seven continents, serving leisure travelers with itineraries ranging from short Caribbean getaways to extended world voyages.

Founded in 1966 by Knut Kloster and Ted Arison, the company pioneered the concept of “Freestyle Cruising,” which allows passengers greater flexibility in dining schedules, entertainment choices and onboard activities.