Investing.com -- Loop Capital initiated coverage on the cruise industry in a note Wednesday, issuing a Buy rating on Viking and Hold ratings on Carnival (NYSE:CCL), Norwegian Cruise Line (NYSE:NCLH), and Royal Caribbean (NYSE:RCL).
The firm’s price target for Viking is $55, representing a 10% upside, while targets for the legacy cruise lines are $25 for CCL, $26 for NCLH, and $250 for RCL.
Loop Capital stated that while it remains optimistic about the cruise industry overall, it believes “a demand recovery and balance sheet improvement is already in the stocks of legacy cruise lines.”
The firm noted that these stocks are currently at peak valuations with “adjusted EBITDA margins sustainably above peak in our view.”
The direction of the stocks in 2025 will likely depend on whether “there is a material demand slowdown,” said Loop Capital, adding that it will wait for additional 2025 guidance before making further assessments.
The firm views Viking as the most attractive investment due to its lower debt levels and stronger growth potential.
“Viking is relatively underlevered and has better growth prospects in our opinion,” Loop Capital wrote, pointing to its river-based operations and smaller size relative to the industry’s dominant players.
The firm also noted that Viking’s recent IPO signals a focus on profitability, adding that the company has “several levers to pull on that front.”
Loop Capital cited several factors supporting long-term cruise industry growth, including a “reprioritization of travel” among consumers, the increasing appeal of all-inclusive cruise experiences, and the industry’s cost advantages over land-based vacations.
It noted that cruise lines benefit from lower tax obligations, a low-cost workforce, and government-backed financing for new ships, creating “a 25%+ price advantage compared to land-based vacations.”