Bank of America upgrades Royal Caribbean stock to Buy

Published on 10/01/2026 at 15:02 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

Second-quarter revenue rose 6.50 percent to USD 4.83 billion. Royal Caribbean stock costs EUR 236.85 on October 1, 2026 after EUR 235.05, plus 0.77 percent.

Generisches weißes Kreuzfahrtschiff auf hoher See in der Karibik bei Sonnenschein — Fotorealistisches Kreuzfahrtschiff der Royal Caribbean Group auf türkisem Karibikmeer, ISIN LR0008862868, sonniger Tag, Illustration mit AI erstellt.

Royal Caribbean Group (LR0008862868) was trading at EUR 236.85 at Lang & Schwarz on October 1, 2026 at 2:49 p.m. CEST, up 0.77 percent from the prior close of EUR 235.05. On September 28, 2026, Bank of America upgraded the company from Neutral to Buy and set a USD 330.00 price target, as MarketBeat reported.

Buy rating follows strong results

Royal Caribbean's second-quarter 2026 revenue was USD 4.83 billion, up 6.50 percent from the same quarter a year earlier. Adjusted earnings per share reached USD 4.21, beating the USD 3.98 consensus by USD 0.23, according to MarketBeat.

The company's standardized financial data show USD 1.128 billion in net income attributable to common shareholders and a 27.00 percent operating margin for the second quarter of 2026. Cash from operating activities reached USD 1.860 billion in that period, giving the results a stronger cash-flow profile than the revenue figure alone suggests.

Sandals deal adds a new growth leg

Royal Caribbean announced definitive agreements on September 23, 2026, to acquire a 50.00 percent interest in the business comprising Sandals and Beaches Resorts for a base purchase price of USD 3.0 billion in cash. The transaction is expected to close in early 2027, subject to approvals and closing conditions, according to Stock Titan.

The deal broadens Royal Caribbean's portfolio beyond cruise vacations into Caribbean all-inclusive resorts. That strategic shift matters because the transaction is expected to be accretive to earnings next year, while the company continues to guide for adjusted earnings per share of USD 17.73 to USD 17.87 for fiscal 2026, according to Stock Titan.

NYSE valuation and next catalyst

On the NYSE, RCL was last at USD 266.12 on September 30, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. ET. Its market capitalization was USD 71.4 billion, and the 52-week range was USD 222.22 to USD 356.39, putting the primary-exchange quote above its yearly low but below its yearly high.

Royal Caribbean's next reported catalyst is scheduled for October 27, 2026, when the company is expected to publish third-quarter results before the market opens, with a consensus earnings-per-share estimate of USD 6.36, according to MarketBeat. The coming report will test whether the earnings momentum supporting the Buy upgrade can continue alongside the Sandals investment.

Royal Caribbean stock edges higher

Royal Caribbean stock was trading at EUR 236.85 at Lang & Schwarz on October 1, 2026 at 2:49 p.m. CEST, plus 0.77 percent versus the Lang & Schwarz prior close of EUR 235.05 on September 30, 2026.