CUK

Consumer Cyclical

Carnival Corporation & plc · Leisure · $37B

UQS Score — Balanced Preset
51.1
Good

Carnival Corporation & plc scores 51.1/100 using the Balanced preset.

UQS vs Consumer Cyclical Sector
CUK
51.1
Sector avg
37.7
Quality
Good
Moat
Weak
Growth
Neutral
Risk
Weak
Valuation
Attractive

What is Carnival Corporation & plc?

Carnival Corporation & plc is one of the world's largest leisure cruise operators, running a portfolio of well-known cruise brands across multiple continents. Founded in 1972 and headquartered in Miami, Florida, the company serves millions of vacationers annually.

Carnival operates a fleet of cruise ships calling at approximately 700 ports worldwide under brands including Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn, Costa Cruises, AIDA Cruises, P&O Cruises, and Cunard. Revenue comes primarily from ticket sales, onboard spending, and shore excursions. The company sells cruises through travel agents, tour operators, and its own websites. Beyond ships, Carnival also owns hotels, lodges, glass-domed railcars, and motor coaches that support destination experiences.

Carnival Corporation was founded in 1972 and is headquartered in Miami, Florida.

  • Mass-market cruising under the Carnival Cruise Line brand
  • Premium and luxury voyages via Princess, Seabourn, and Cunard
  • European cruising through Costa, AIDA, and P&O brands
  • Port destination services and shore excursions
  • Land-based travel including hotels, lodges, and railcar tours

Is CUK a Good Stock to Buy?

UQS Score rates CUK as Below Average overall, reflecting meaningful headwinds across several key pillars.

The Quality pillar comes in at a Good rating, suggesting the underlying business generates reasonable returns relative to its asset base. Valuation is rated Attractive, meaning the stock may be priced below what the fundamentals alone would imply — a potential point of interest for patient investors.

Both the Moat and Risk pillars are rated Weak, pointing to limited competitive insulation and elevated financial or operational vulnerability. The Growth pillar sits at Neutral, offering little near-term upside catalyst from a fundamental standpoint.

See the exact pillar breakdown and full financial metrics by signing up for a UQS Pro account. Sign up free →

Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.

Does CUK pay dividends?

Yes — Carnival Corporation & plc pays a dividend.

Carnival Corporation pays a regular dividend, returning cash to shareholders alongside its core cruise operations. For a capital-intensive business like cruising, dividend payments signal a degree of financial confidence from management. Investors should verify the current yield and payout schedule directly through Carnival's investor relations page, as dividend levels can shift with business conditions.

When does CUK report earnings?

Carnival Corporation reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, typical for US-listed equities.

The cruise industry has navigated a complex recovery environment, and Carnival's results have reflected both the rebound in travel demand and the ongoing pressure of high operating costs. Revenue trends have generally improved as fleet utilization recovered, though profitability remains sensitive to fuel prices and consumer spending patterns.

For the most recent quarter's results, visit Carnival Corporation's official investor relations page.

CUK Price History

+8.3% over 5Y

Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.

Return Calculator

What if I invested in Carnival Corporation & plc?

$
Today it would be worth
$12,448
That's a +24.5% total return, or +4.5% annualized.

Based on Carnival Corporation & plc's historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.

CUK Long-term Outlook

The Growth pillar's Neutral rating suggests Carnival is not expected to deliver outsized expansion in the near term, though the broader cruise industry continues to benefit from pent-up leisure travel demand. The Weak Risk rating is a meaningful flag — the company carries a substantial debt load accumulated during the pandemic era, which constrains financial flexibility. An Attractive Valuation label indicates the market may already be pricing in much of the uncertainty, but the Weak Moat rating suggests competitive pressures could limit how much of any industry upswing Carnival captures relative to peers.

Growth drivers

  • Continued recovery in global cruise demand and fleet utilization
  • Expansion into new itineraries and port destinations across Asia and Europe
  • Onboard revenue growth through premium experiences and shore excursions

Key risks

  • Elevated debt levels limiting financial flexibility and increasing interest expense
  • Sensitivity to fuel costs, currency fluctuations, and macroeconomic downturns
  • Weak competitive moat leaving market share vulnerable to rival cruise lines

CUK vs Peers

CUK shares the Consumer Cyclical space with a range of leisure and entertainment companies, each with a distinct business model.

CCLSimilar UQS
Carnival Corporation & plc

CCL is the same underlying company as CUK, listed on the NYSE — the two share identical fundamentals but trade on different exchanges with slightly different shareholder structures.

ASSimilar UQS
Amer Sports, Inc.

Amer Sports focuses on premium outdoor and sporting goods brands rather than cruise travel, targeting active lifestyle consumers through a product-driven model.

HASCUK scores higher
Hasbro, Inc.

Hasbro operates in consumer entertainment through toys, games, and licensed content — a very different leisure category from cruise travel, with lower capital intensity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Carnival Corporation do?

Carnival Corporation operates a global fleet of cruise ships under brands including Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn, Costa, AIDA, P&O Cruises, and Cunard. The company also runs hotels, lodges, and land-based travel experiences. It sells cruises through travel agents, tour operators, and its own websites, serving passengers across North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia.

Does CUK pay dividends?

Yes, Carnival Corporation pays a regular dividend. The company has historically returned cash to shareholders through dividend payments, though the amount can vary with business conditions. Investors should check Carnival's investor relations page for the current dividend rate and payment schedule.

When does CUK report earnings?

Carnival Corporation reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, in line with standard practice for US-listed companies. For the exact timing of upcoming earnings releases, refer to the company's investor relations page, where official announcements and presentation materials are posted.

Is CUK a good stock to buy?

UQS Score rates CUK as Below Average overall. The Valuation pillar is rated Attractive and Quality is Good, but both the Moat and Risk pillars are Weak — indicating limited competitive protection and elevated financial risk. Whether that profile suits your portfolio depends on your risk tolerance and investment horizon. The full pillar breakdown is available to Pro members.

Is CUK overvalued?

The UQS Valuation pillar for CUK is rated Attractive, suggesting the stock is not considered overvalued on a fundamental basis relative to its current price. However, an attractive price alone does not offset the Weak Risk and Moat ratings. Investors should weigh valuation against the broader quality profile before drawing conclusions.

How does CUK compare to its competitors?

CUK and CCL represent the same underlying business listed on different exchanges. Compared to sector peers like Amer Sports and Hasbro, Carnival operates in a far more capital-intensive and operationally complex industry. The cruise model carries higher fixed costs and debt sensitivity than consumer goods or sporting equipment businesses, which is reflected in the Weak Risk rating.

What is CUK's market cap bracket?

Carnival Corporation is classified as a large-cap company, placing it among the larger publicly traded leisure and travel businesses globally. Large-cap status generally implies greater liquidity and analyst coverage, though it does not guarantee financial strength — as the UQS Risk pillar rating reflects.

Who founded Carnival Corporation?

Carnival Corporation was founded in 1972. The company's founding history and early leadership are widely documented in public sources, including the company's own corporate history page and financial filings.

Is CUK a long-term quality investment?

As a long-term quality indicator, CUK's UQS profile presents a mixed picture. The Good Quality rating and Attractive Valuation are positives, but the Weak Moat suggests the business lacks strong structural advantages that tend to compound over time. The Weak Risk pillar — largely tied to debt levels — is a key factor for long-term investors to monitor closely.

What is the main competitive advantage of Carnival Corporation?

Carnival's primary advantages are its scale and brand portfolio — operating across nine distinct cruise brands gives it broad market reach from budget to ultra-luxury segments. However, the UQS Moat pillar is rated Weak, indicating these advantages may not provide durable pricing power or meaningful barriers against competition from rival cruise operators.

What sector does CUK belong to?

CUK is classified in the Consumer Cyclical sector, which includes businesses whose revenues tend to rise and fall with broader economic conditions and consumer confidence. Cruise travel is particularly sensitive to discretionary spending, making Carnival's performance closely tied to macroeconomic trends, employment levels, and consumer sentiment.

Is CUK a growth stock or value stock?

Based on the UQS pillar profile, CUK leans toward a value framing — the Valuation pillar is Attractive while the Growth pillar is only Neutral, suggesting limited near-term earnings acceleration. It is not a high-growth name by UQS criteria, but the price may reflect a discount relative to fundamentals for investors willing to accept the associated risks.

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Pro Analysis

CUK — Score History

45505560Apr 2Apr 12Apr 22May 2May 12May 22May 24v5
Score changes· 23 most recent
DateUQSQualityMoatGrowthRiskValueChange
May 23, 202651.165.934.058.83.492.70.0
May 22, 202651.165.934.058.83.492.5-0.1
May 11, 202651.265.934.058.83.492.9-1.6
May 10, 202652.871.634.058.83.494.0+1.4
May 3, 202651.465.734.058.83.494.4+0.1
May 1, 202651.365.734.058.83.493.7-0.1
Apr 26, 202651.465.734.058.83.494.8+0.3
Apr 25, 202651.165.734.058.83.492.4+0.1
Apr 24, 202651.065.934.058.83.491.90.0
Apr 23, 202651.065.934.058.83.491.7+0.2

CUK — Pillar Breakdown

Quality

65.9/100 (25%)

Carnival Corporation & plc shows solid profitability with healthy returns on capital and reasonable margins.

Capital Efficiency (ROIC)Moderate

How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.

Return on EquityStrong

Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.

Operating ProfitabilityModerate

Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.

Net ProfitabilityModerate

Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.

Gross Profit / AssetsWeak

Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.

Cash GenerationStrong

Free cash flow relative to market value.

Growth

58.8/100 (20%)

Carnival Corporation & plc demonstrates healthy growth trends across revenue and earnings.

Recent Revenue TrendWeak

Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.

3Y Revenue CAGRStrong

Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.

EPS GrowthStrong

Year-over-year earnings per share growth.

Forward Revenue OutlookWeak

Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.

Forward EPS GrowthStrong

Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.

Risk

3.4/100 (15%)

Carnival Corporation & plc presents elevated risk with concerns around leverage or financial stability.

Financial LeverageWeak

Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.

Debt/EquityWeak

Total debt relative to shareholder equity.

Current RatioWeak

Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.

Interest CoverageWeak

Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.

Valuation

92.7/100 (15%)

Carnival Corporation & plc appears attractively valued relative to its earnings, cash flows, and sector peers.

Earnings YieldStrong

Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.

Price to Free Cash FlowStrong

How many years of FCF the market cap represents.

PEG RatioStrong

P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.

EV/EBITDA vs SectorStrong

Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.

Moat

34/100 (25%)

Carnival Corporation & plc operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for CUK.

Score Composition

Quality
65.9×25%16.5
Growth
58.8×20%11.8
Risk
3.4×15%0.5
Valuation
92.7×15%13.9
Moat
34.0×25%8.5
Total
51.1Good

Financial Data

More Stock Analysis

How is the CUK UQS Score Calculated?

The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Carnival Corporation & plc is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.

Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.

Moat (25%) assesses Carnival Corporation & plc's competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.

Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.

Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.

Valuation (15%) measures whether Carnival Corporation & plc is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.

Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.