Summary
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCL) reported solid financial results for the third quarter and the first nine months of 2017. Total revenues saw a slight increase for the quarter and a more significant rise year-over-year for the nine-month period, driven by both higher passenger ticket prices and increased onboard spending. The company successfully managed its operating expenses, which decreased year-over-year for both periods, contributing to improved operating income. Net income also saw substantial growth, with diluted EPS rising to $3.49 for the quarter and $6.19 for the nine months, up from $3.21 and $4.72 respectively in the prior year. This performance was bolstered by strong equity investment income, particularly from its TUI Cruises joint venture, and effective hedging strategies that mitigated fuel price and currency fluctuations. The company also provided positive full-year 2017 guidance, indicating continued confidence in its operational performance and market position despite some impact from third-quarter hurricane disruptions.
Financial Highlights
50 data points| Revenue | $2.57B |
| Cost of Revenue | $1.32B |
| Gross Profit | $1.25B |
| SG&A Expenses | $273.64M |
| Operating Income | $737.49M |
| Interest Expense | $73.23M |
| Net Income | $752.84M |
| EPS (Basic) | $3.51 |
| EPS (Diluted) | $3.49 |
| Shares Outstanding (Basic) | 214.69M |
| Shares Outstanding (Diluted) | 215.82M |
Key Highlights
- 1Total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, increased by 2.8% to $6.77 billion compared to the prior year.
- 2Net income for the nine months increased by 31% to $1.34 billion, with diluted EPS rising to $6.19.
- 3Gross Yields and Net Yields showed significant increases, up 6.0% and 6.9% respectively for the nine months, indicating stronger pricing power.
- 4Cruise operating expenses decreased for both the quarter (1.6%) and the nine months (3.6%), reflecting effective cost management.
- 5Equity investment income saw a substantial increase of 26.9% to $120.4 million for the nine months, primarily from the TUI Cruises joint venture.
- 6The company provided positive full-year 2017 Adjusted EPS guidance of $7.35 to $7.40, reflecting strong performance expectations.
- 7Capital expenditures remain significant with $13.0 billion in ships on order, indicating a commitment to fleet expansion and modernization.