Norwegian Cruise Line (NYSE:NCLH) Shares Gap Down Following Analyst Downgrade

Shares of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:NCLH) gapped down before the market opened on Friday after Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price target on the stock from $32.00 to $31.00. The stock had previously closed at $23.25, but opened at $21.98. Stifel Nicolaus currently has a buy rating on the stock. Norwegian Cruise Line shares last traded at $22.2780, with a volume of 9,958,821 shares trading hands.

Other equities research analysts also recently issued reports about the company. The Goldman Sachs Group downgraded Norwegian Cruise Line from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and reduced their price target for the stock from $23.00 to $21.00 in a report on Tuesday, December 9th. Truist Financial decreased their target price on Norwegian Cruise Line from $31.00 to $26.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on shares of Norwegian Cruise Line from $29.00 to $33.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 13th. Susquehanna reduced their price target on shares of Norwegian Cruise Line from $25.00 to $21.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, November 12th. Finally, UBS Group reissued a “neutral” rating on shares of Norwegian Cruise Line in a research report on Wednesday, January 21st. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have given a Buy rating and twelve have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $26.32.

Norwegian Cruise Line News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Norwegian Cruise Line this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Company raised FY‑2025 and Q4‑2025 EPS guidance (FY EPS 2.10 vs. consensus ~2.03; Q4 EPS 0.27 vs. consensus ~0.25) — suggests stronger near‑term profitability than investors expected.
• Positive Sentiment: Longer‑term bull case: analysts and commentaries highlight a deep valuation discount to peers and potential benefit from a strong wave season, calling the shares an attractive value opportunity. Seeking Alpha
• Positive Sentiment: Value analysts point to favorable style scores that make NCLH appealing to value and contrarian investors. Zacks
• Neutral Sentiment: Company scheduled a conference call to report Q4 and full‑year 2025 results on March 2 — an upcoming event that will provide more color on guidance drivers and margin trends.
• Negative Sentiment: CEO change: Board appointed John W. Chidsey as President & CEO; the initial market reaction was negative, with shares falling after the announcement — investors may be concerned about transition risk and execution under new leadership. Benzinga Press Release
• Negative Sentiment: Analyst downgrades and price‑target cuts followed: JPMorgan trimmed its price target materially (prior $28 → $20) while keeping a neutral rating, and Barclays also downgraded the stock — increased analyst skepticism can pressure the share price. TickerReport / JPMorgan note Barclays
• Negative Sentiment: Coverage notes and reviews emphasize that NCLH has lagged peers (Royal Caribbean, Carnival) and recent commentary led to downgrades/diminished sentiment. Barron’s

Institutional Trading of Norwegian Cruise Line

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Chapin Davis Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Norwegian Cruise Line during the third quarter valued at approximately $3,604,000. New York State Common Retirement Fund boosted its stake in shares of Norwegian Cruise Line by 23.3% in the third quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund now owns 593,189 shares of the company’s stock worth $14,610,000 after acquiring an additional 111,982 shares during the last quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC increased its position in shares of Norwegian Cruise Line by 27.0% during the third quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 457,169 shares of the company’s stock worth $11,059,000 after purchasing an additional 97,275 shares in the last quarter. Goldentree Asset Management LP raised its stake in Norwegian Cruise Line by 23.9% in the 2nd quarter. Goldentree Asset Management LP now owns 3,997,792 shares of the company’s stock valued at $80,908,000 after purchasing an additional 771,955 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Hussman Strategic Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in Norwegian Cruise Line in the 2nd quarter valued at $3,407,000. 69.58% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Norwegian Cruise Line Stock Performance

The company has a market cap of $9.80 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.83, a PEG ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 2.06. The firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $22.25 and its 200-day simple moving average is $22.63. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.22, a quick ratio of 0.17 and a current ratio of 0.19.

Norwegian Cruise Line Company Profile

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: NCLH) is a global cruise operator offering a portfolio of premium brands that includes Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. The company provides sea voyages and related onboard services such as dining, entertainment, shore excursions and destination experiences. Its fleet of modern vessels sails to more than 400 destinations across all seven continents, serving leisure travelers with itineraries ranging from short Caribbean getaways to extended world voyages.

Founded in 1966 by Knut Kloster and Ted Arison, the company pioneered the concept of “Freestyle Cruising,” which allows passengers greater flexibility in dining schedules, entertainment choices and onboard activities.