US Stocks Likely To Open Lower, But 'Economic Conditions Don't Signal A Downturn,' Say Analysts As They Expect 'Resilient Earnings' To Lift Equities
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 21 2025
0mins
Source: Benzinga
Market Trends: U.S. stock futures fell on Friday following a decline in major indices, with concerns over inflation and economic growth overshadowing previous optimism from the Federal Reserve's comments. The Nasdaq 100 remains in correction territory, having dropped 11.45% from its peak.
Sector Performance: Only energy, utilities, financials, and healthcare sectors saw gains, while notable declines were observed in technology and consumer staples. Companies like Darden Restaurants reported strong earnings, whereas Accenture faced a drop due to disappointing guidance.
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Analyst Views on CCL
Wall Street analysts forecast CCL stock price to rise
18 Analyst Rating
14 Buy
4 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 30.420
Low
33.00
Averages
37.41
High
45.00
Current: 30.420
Low
33.00
Averages
37.41
High
45.00
About CCL
Carnival Corporation is a global cruise and leisure travel company. The Company has a portfolio of cruise lines, including AIDA Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Costa Cruises, Cunard, Holland America Line, P&O Cruises (Australia), P&O Cruises (UK), Princess Cruises, and Seabourn. The Company's segment includes NAA cruise operations, Europe cruise operations (Europe), Cruise Support and Tour and Other. Its Cruise Support segment includes its portfolio of port destinations and exclusive islands as well as other services, all of which are operated for the benefit of its cruise brands. In addition to its cruise operations, it owns Holland America Princess Alaska Tours, a tour company in Alaska and the Canadian Yukon, which complements its Alaska cruise operations. Its Tour and Other segment represents the hotel and transportation operations of Holland America Princess Alaska Tours and other operations. Its tour company owns and operates hotels, lodges, glass-domed railcars and motorcoaches.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Holland America Line Launches New South America and Antarctica Voyages
- New Itineraries Unveiled: Holland America Line's Nieuw Amsterdam will debut in South America during the 2027-2028 season, offering voyages up to 41 days long, aimed at providing travelers with deeper exploration of iconic sites in South America and Antarctica, thereby enhancing the company's competitive edge in the premium cruise market.
- Diverse Itinerary Options: The new season features a 26-day Legendary Voyage along the Inca Coast, visiting multiple countries and cities such as Manta, Ecuador, and Callao, Peru, providing unique cultural experiences and natural landscapes that significantly enrich the travel experience for guests.
- Unique Onboard Experiences: Nieuw Amsterdam offers a variety of staterooms and dining options, including popular venues like Tamarind and Morimoto by Sea, along with destination-inspired dishes and cultural classes, which enhance overall passenger satisfaction and engagement during the journey.
- Early Booking Incentives: For the 2027-2028 season, guests booking the “Have It All” premium package can enjoy multiple complimentary services, including shore excursions, specialty dining, and beverage packages, which further attract high-end clientele and enhance the company's market appeal.
See More
Holland America Line Launches South America and Antarctica Voyages
- New Ship Introduction: Holland America Line's Nieuw Amsterdam will debut in South America during the 2027-2028 season, offering voyages up to 41 days long, aimed at providing travelers with an immersive experience of South America and Antarctica's unique landscapes, thereby enhancing the company's competitive position in the region.
- Diverse Itinerary Options: The new season will feature multiple itineraries longer than 14 days, including a Legendary voyage, allowing guests to explore iconic sites such as the Amazon River and Chilean Fjords, catering to the growing demand for in-depth travel experiences.
- Unique Onboard Experience: Nieuw Amsterdam offers a variety of staterooms and dining options, with guests enjoying destination-inspired dishes and Spanish dance classes, which enhance their connection to the destinations and elevate the overall travel experience.
- Early Booking Incentives: With the “Have It All” premium package, guests booking early can enjoy multiple perks including shore excursions and specialty dining, further attracting potential customers and boosting sales potential.
See More
Market Volatility and New Product Launches
- Market Volatility: The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite both dropped over 1%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average plummeted more than 800 points due to new tariffs and fears surrounding artificial intelligence, indicating investor concerns about the economic outlook.
- Tariff Implications: Following the Supreme Court's tariff ruling, FedEx has sued the government for a full refund of tariffs paid, reflecting corporate dissatisfaction with the new tariff policies, which could further slow economic growth.
- AMD and Meta Partnership: Meta announced a multi-year deal with AMD to deploy up to 6 gigawatts of graphics processing units, resulting in a more than 13% surge in AMD's stock during premarket trading, showcasing its enhanced competitiveness in the AI chip market.
- New Drug Launch: Eli Lilly launched a new version of its Zepbound injection pen, offering a month's worth of doses at a starting price of $299, which is expected to enhance patient convenience and contributed to a nearly 5% rise in Lilly's stock price.
See More
Market Volatility and New Drug Launches
- Market Volatility: The Dow Jones Industrial Average plummeted over 800 points on Monday due to new tariffs and fears surrounding artificial intelligence disruptions, with both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite dropping more than 1%, indicating investor concerns about the economic outlook.
- Tariff Implications: The Supreme Court's tariff ruling has prompted economists to urgently analyze the implications of President Trump's new global tariffs, with FedEx becoming the first major company to seek a 'full refund' from the government, potentially affecting the future business landscape.
- Chip Agreement: Meta announced a multi-year deal with Advanced Micro Devices to deploy up to 6 gigawatts of AMD's graphic processing units, resulting in a more than 13% surge in AMD's stock during premarket trading, reflecting an increase in its competitiveness in the AI chip market.
- New Drug Launch: Eli Lilly launched a new version of its obesity drug Zepbound, which contains a month's worth of doses in one pen, priced starting at $299, offering a more convenient option for patients, while Novo Nordisk's experimental weight loss drug failed to compete, leading to a more than 16% drop in its stock price.
See More
Tourism Chaos in Mexico Following Drug Lord's Death
- Travel Warnings Escalate: The U.S. State Department has broadened its travel warnings across multiple regions in Mexico, advising tourists to shelter in place in popular destinations like Cancun and Puerto Vallarta, indicating a direct threat to the tourism industry due to escalating violence.
- Cruise Line Route Changes: In response to the violence, Carnival and Norwegian Cruise Lines have canceled planned stops in Puerto Vallarta, reflecting the industry's heightened sensitivity to safety risks and their operational adaptability in crisis situations.
- Hotel Brand Exposure: Analysts highlight that Hyatt has 8.5% of its total rooms in Mexico, while Marriott has 3.3%, indicating significant financial exposure for these brands amid the current unrest and potential impacts on occupancy rates.
- Insurance Policy Limitations: As the violence is now classified as a foreseeable event, many travel insurance providers are no longer offering coverage for cancellations related to this unrest, leaving travelers facing greater uncertainty and potential financial losses when planning their trips.
See More
US Travel Companies Reroute Due to Violence in Mexico
- Route Adjustments: In response to violence in Mexico, Carnival Corporation and Norwegian Cruise Line have canceled planned stops in Puerto Vallarta, highlighting the travel industry's acute sensitivity to safety risks, which could lead to a loss of tourists and revenue.
- Travel Warnings Escalate: The U.S. State Department has broadened its travel warnings to multiple regions in Mexico, advising tourists to shelter in place in popular destinations like Cancun and Tulum, which will directly impact the tourism sector and related economies in these areas.
- Airbnb Policy Activation: Airbnb has activated its 'major disruptive events policy' in Jalisco and other affected regions, allowing travelers and hosts to cancel reservations without penalties, reflecting the platform's responsiveness to emergencies and commitment to user protection.
- Insurance Market Warning: Squaremouth has warned that the violence in Mexico is now considered a foreseeable event, preventing travelers from purchasing insurance to cancel trips, which may suppress future travel demand and impact the financial performance of related businesses.
See More
Holland America Line Launches New South America and Antarctica Voyages
- New Itineraries Unveiled: Holland America Line's Nieuw Amsterdam will debut in South America during the 2027-2028 season, offering voyages up to 41 days long, aimed at providing travelers with deeper exploration of iconic sites in South America and Antarctica, thereby enhancing the company's competitive edge in the premium cruise market.
- Diverse Itinerary Options: The new season features a 26-day Legendary Voyage along the Inca Coast, visiting multiple countries and cities such as Manta, Ecuador, and Callao, Peru, providing unique cultural experiences and natural landscapes that significantly enrich the travel experience for guests.
- Unique Onboard Experiences: Nieuw Amsterdam offers a variety of staterooms and dining options, including popular venues like Tamarind and Morimoto by Sea, along with destination-inspired dishes and cultural classes, which enhance overall passenger satisfaction and engagement during the journey.
- Early Booking Incentives: For the 2027-2028 season, guests booking the “Have It All” premium package can enjoy multiple complimentary services, including shore excursions, specialty dining, and beverage packages, which further attract high-end clientele and enhance the company's market appeal.
See More
Holland America Line Launches South America and Antarctica Voyages
- New Ship Introduction: Holland America Line's Nieuw Amsterdam will debut in South America during the 2027-2028 season, offering voyages up to 41 days long, aimed at providing travelers with an immersive experience of South America and Antarctica's unique landscapes, thereby enhancing the company's competitive position in the region.
- Diverse Itinerary Options: The new season will feature multiple itineraries longer than 14 days, including a Legendary voyage, allowing guests to explore iconic sites such as the Amazon River and Chilean Fjords, catering to the growing demand for in-depth travel experiences.
- Unique Onboard Experience: Nieuw Amsterdam offers a variety of staterooms and dining options, with guests enjoying destination-inspired dishes and Spanish dance classes, which enhance their connection to the destinations and elevate the overall travel experience.
- Early Booking Incentives: With the “Have It All” premium package, guests booking early can enjoy multiple perks including shore excursions and specialty dining, further attracting potential customers and boosting sales potential.
See More
Market Volatility and New Product Launches
- Market Volatility: The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite both dropped over 1%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average plummeted more than 800 points due to new tariffs and fears surrounding artificial intelligence, indicating investor concerns about the economic outlook.
- Tariff Implications: Following the Supreme Court's tariff ruling, FedEx has sued the government for a full refund of tariffs paid, reflecting corporate dissatisfaction with the new tariff policies, which could further slow economic growth.
- AMD and Meta Partnership: Meta announced a multi-year deal with AMD to deploy up to 6 gigawatts of graphics processing units, resulting in a more than 13% surge in AMD's stock during premarket trading, showcasing its enhanced competitiveness in the AI chip market.
- New Drug Launch: Eli Lilly launched a new version of its Zepbound injection pen, offering a month's worth of doses at a starting price of $299, which is expected to enhance patient convenience and contributed to a nearly 5% rise in Lilly's stock price.
See More
Market Volatility and New Drug Launches
- Market Volatility: The Dow Jones Industrial Average plummeted over 800 points on Monday due to new tariffs and fears surrounding artificial intelligence disruptions, with both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite dropping more than 1%, indicating investor concerns about the economic outlook.
- Tariff Implications: The Supreme Court's tariff ruling has prompted economists to urgently analyze the implications of President Trump's new global tariffs, with FedEx becoming the first major company to seek a 'full refund' from the government, potentially affecting the future business landscape.
- Chip Agreement: Meta announced a multi-year deal with Advanced Micro Devices to deploy up to 6 gigawatts of AMD's graphic processing units, resulting in a more than 13% surge in AMD's stock during premarket trading, reflecting an increase in its competitiveness in the AI chip market.
- New Drug Launch: Eli Lilly launched a new version of its obesity drug Zepbound, which contains a month's worth of doses in one pen, priced starting at $299, offering a more convenient option for patients, while Novo Nordisk's experimental weight loss drug failed to compete, leading to a more than 16% drop in its stock price.
See More
Tourism Chaos in Mexico Following Drug Lord's Death
- Travel Warnings Escalate: The U.S. State Department has broadened its travel warnings across multiple regions in Mexico, advising tourists to shelter in place in popular destinations like Cancun and Puerto Vallarta, indicating a direct threat to the tourism industry due to escalating violence.
- Cruise Line Route Changes: In response to the violence, Carnival and Norwegian Cruise Lines have canceled planned stops in Puerto Vallarta, reflecting the industry's heightened sensitivity to safety risks and their operational adaptability in crisis situations.
- Hotel Brand Exposure: Analysts highlight that Hyatt has 8.5% of its total rooms in Mexico, while Marriott has 3.3%, indicating significant financial exposure for these brands amid the current unrest and potential impacts on occupancy rates.
- Insurance Policy Limitations: As the violence is now classified as a foreseeable event, many travel insurance providers are no longer offering coverage for cancellations related to this unrest, leaving travelers facing greater uncertainty and potential financial losses when planning their trips.
See More
US Travel Companies Reroute Due to Violence in Mexico
- Route Adjustments: In response to violence in Mexico, Carnival Corporation and Norwegian Cruise Line have canceled planned stops in Puerto Vallarta, highlighting the travel industry's acute sensitivity to safety risks, which could lead to a loss of tourists and revenue.
- Travel Warnings Escalate: The U.S. State Department has broadened its travel warnings to multiple regions in Mexico, advising tourists to shelter in place in popular destinations like Cancun and Tulum, which will directly impact the tourism sector and related economies in these areas.
- Airbnb Policy Activation: Airbnb has activated its 'major disruptive events policy' in Jalisco and other affected regions, allowing travelers and hosts to cancel reservations without penalties, reflecting the platform's responsiveness to emergencies and commitment to user protection.
- Insurance Market Warning: Squaremouth has warned that the violence in Mexico is now considered a foreseeable event, preventing travelers from purchasing insurance to cancel trips, which may suppress future travel demand and impact the financial performance of related businesses.
See More
