Market Insights

Carnival Corporation & plc reported Quarter 3 2024 results that exceeded expectations across the board, reflecting a strong recovery and effective management strategies. The Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer shared strategic insights into the company's performance and future direction.

In this record-setting third quarter, Carnival achieved nearly $8 billion in revenue, marking a $1 billion increase compared to last year. The overall EBITDA reached an impressive $2.8 billion, surpassing previous guidance. The company also reported more than a 60 percent increase in net income year-on-year, achieving a double-digit return on invested capital by the end of the third quarter. CEO Josh Weinstein highlighted that these improvements were not due to increased capacity but rather to high-margin yield growth across all brands. He noted, "Our third quarter by all accounts was phenomenal, breaking multiple records and outperforming on every measure."

Looking ahead, the strong demand has allowed Carnival to raise its full-year yield guidance for the third time this year. This momentum is projected to carry into 2025, which is already seeing historical highs in occupancy and pricing. Josh Weinstein expressed confidence in the bookings for upcoming years, stating, "We feel confident in maintaining our trajectory." The continued focus on efficient operations and marketing efforts was evident as year-to-date web visits increased significantly, supporting demand generation.

CFO David Bernstein reinforced the positive financial outlook, indicating that net income guidance for September was set at $1.76 billion, a notable improvement driven by higher ticket prices and onboard spending. He emphasized, "The positive trends we saw in the third quarter are expected to continue in the fourth."

Overall, the outlook for Carnival appears quite robust, with record bookings and efficient management positioning the company for sustained success. With an emphasis on managing costs while enhancing operational efficiency, Carnival aims to further strengthen its balance sheet and advance its long-term growth objectives. As Josh Weinstein concluded, “We are not just going to be buoyed by our ships. We have so much more in the pipeline to sustain this momentum." As Carnival looks ahead, the focus remains not just on improving returns but also on delivering exceptional experiences to nearly 4 million guests this past quarter.