10-KPeriod: FY2009

CARNIVAL CORP Annual Report, Year Ended Nov 30, 2009

Filed January 29, 2010For Securities:CCL

Summary

Carnival Corporation & plc, the world's largest cruise and vacation company, reported its financial and operational status in its 2010 Form 10-K filing. The company operates a diverse portfolio of well-recognized cruise brands catering to various demographics and geographic regions, including North America, Europe, Australia, Asia, and South America. As of January 28, 2010, Carnival operated 93 cruise ships with a total passenger capacity of 180,746 berths and had 13 additional ships scheduled for delivery between February 2010 and June 2012, signaling a significant expansion in capacity. The company's primary financial goal is profitable growth while maintaining a strong balance sheet. Carnival leverages its scale for economies of scale through a decentralized operating structure. The report highlights the cruise industry's significant growth potential, particularly in Europe, and outlines strategies for expanding presence in emerging markets. Despite a competitive landscape and potential economic headwinds, Carnival aims to deliver exceptional vacation experiences and maintain its leadership position. Key financial and operational details from the report include significant fleet expansion plans, a strong focus on guest satisfaction, and strategic market penetration efforts in both established and developing regions. The company's robust business model, coupled with its commitment to innovation and customer experience, positions it for continued growth within the global vacation market. Investors should note the company's strategic focus on expanding its European brands and its efforts to penetrate emerging markets, alongside its ongoing investments in fleet modernization and enhancement.

Financial Highlights

51 data points
Beta

Revenue

$13.16B

36.1% Gross Margin

Net Income

$1.79B

13.6% Net Margin

EPS (Diluted)

$2.24

Total Assets

$36.84B

Cash & Equivalents

$538.00M

Free Cash Flow

-$38.00M

Financial Statements
Beta
Revenue$13.16B
Cost of Revenue$8.41B
Gross Profit$4.75B
SG&A Expenses$1.59B
Operating Expenses$11.31B
Operating Income$2.15B
Interest Expense$380.00M
Net Income$1.79B
EPS (Basic)$2.27
EPS (Diluted)$2.24
Shares Outstanding (Basic)787.00M
Shares Outstanding (Diluted)804.00M

Key Highlights

  • 1Carnival Corporation & plc is the world's largest cruise and vacation company with a broad portfolio of 9 distinct cruise brands.
  • 2The company operated 93 cruise ships with a total passenger capacity of 180,746 berths as of January 28, 2010.
  • 3Carnival has a significant newbuild program with 13 additional cruise ships scheduled to enter service between February 2010 and June 2012, representing a 15.3% increase in passenger capacity.
  • 4Europe is identified as a key growth market, with a projected 9% compounded annual growth rate in passenger capacity through 2012 for its European brands.
  • 5The company utilizes a decentralized operating structure for its brands to tailor products to specific markets while leveraging size for economies of scale.
  • 6A strong emphasis is placed on delivering exceptional vacation experiences, with high guest satisfaction rates reported.
  • 7Carnival's primary financial goal is profitable growth while maintaining a strong balance sheet and financial flexibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Carnival's growth strategy focuses on building new, innovative ships and investing in existing ones to strengthen its brands. The company is prioritizing growth in its European brands, which are in an earlier stage of market development, and plans to expand its presence in emerging markets like Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and South America by redeploying existing ships. The newbuilding program is central to this expansion, with 13 new ships scheduled to enter service by June 2012.

Carnival operates under a decentralized structure where each major brand has its own headquarters and operating team. This approach fosters an ownership culture and allows for tailored products that effectively penetrate specific geographic regions and lifestyles. While decentralized, Carnival leverages its overall size to achieve economies of scale and cost synergies through consolidated purchasing power and common cost-containment initiatives.

The primary markets for Carnival are North America and Europe, which are the largest sources of cruise passengers. The company also sees significant growth potential and is expanding its presence in Australia and New Zealand, Asia, and South America. While North America remains a core market, the report highlights Europe as having substantial growth potential due to lower market penetration compared to North America.

Carnival is actively expanding its fleet with 13 new ships on order, scheduled for delivery between February 2010 and June 2012. This expansion is designed to increase passenger capacity and enhance its brand offerings. The company also invests in its existing fleet through product enhancement initiatives to maintain competitiveness and improve the guest experience. The newbuild program is a primary platform for brand growth, particularly for brands operating in established markets.