Carnival price target raised to $40 from $38 at Stifel

Stifel analyst Steven Wieczynski raised the firm’s price target on Carnival (CCL) to $40 from $38 and keeps a Buy rating on the shares. Normally, when Carnival provides initial full-year guidance it usually disappoints, and a selloff ensues, but this time was “the exact opposite reaction” with the difference being that while the firm still believes initial 2026 guidance is conservative, it was essentially in-line with consensus, the analyst tells investors. This should indicate that 2026 cruise demand/pricing remains healthy right now and even Carnival “can’t downplay how solid 2026 is shaping up,” argues the analyst, who believes shares are well positioned into 2026.