Royal Caribbean stock falls 6.14 percent after Sandals deal
Published on 09/23/2026 at 12:28 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Royal Caribbean stock closed at USD 234.89 on the NYSE on September 22, 2026, down 6.14 percent from USD 250.25. The decline followed the company's confirmation of a USD 3 billion Sandals deal, while the shares traded close to their 52-week low.
Sandals deal drives the selloff
According to AskTraders on September 23, 2026, Royal Caribbean confirmed the USD 3 billion acquisition of Sandals Resorts after the stock had already fallen. The September 22 close was USD 234.89, compared with a prior close of USD 250.25, and trading volume reached about 8.31 million shares.
The market reaction contrasts with the latest operating figures. Royal Caribbean reported adjusted earnings per share of USD 4.21 for the second quarter of 2026, exceeding the USD 3.98 consensus by USD 0.23, while revenue reached USD 4.83 billion against estimates of USD 4.82 billion, according to MarketBeat on September 23, 2026.
Profit growth meets margin pressure
The second-quarter revenue figure was 6.5 percent above the prior-year period, but adjusted EPS declined from USD 4.38 a year earlier. Net income also fell from USD 1.214 billion to USD 1.136 billion, while EBITDA margin narrowed from 40.8 percent to 37.9 percent, according to Weiss Ratings on September 23, 2026.
Management's fiscal-year 2026 adjusted EPS guidance stands at USD 17.73 to USD 17.87, while third-quarter guidance is USD 6.26 to USD 6.36. The combination of higher revenue and lower year-over-year EPS puts attention on margins and the financial impact of the Sandals transaction.
Stock approaches yearly low
Royal Caribbean shares reached an intraday low of USD 231.03 on September 23, 2026, compared with a 52-week range of USD 229.54 to USD 350.59. MarketBeat reported an average analyst target of USD 353.40 and a Moderate Buy consensus on September 23, 2026, while the market capitalization stood at USD 62.97 billion.
Royal Caribbean stock trades near support
The stock closed at USD 234.89 on the NYSE on September 22, 2026, after the 6.14 percent daily decline. The price was USD 15.36 below the prior close, leaving the shares USD 5.35 above the reported 52-week low of USD 229.54.
Royal Caribbean stock data
- Company: Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.
- ISIN: LR0008862868
- Ticker: RCL
- Trading venue: NYSE
- Price as of September 22, 2026: USD 234.89
- Market capitalization: USD 62.97 billion as of September 23, 2026
- Sector / Industry: Consumer discretionary / Hotels, restaurants and leisure
