Carnival shares rise after interims, top brass annoucement

Shares in Carnival Corporation and Carnival plc rose in New York and London respectively after the world’s largest cruise shipping group had reported a $72 million second quarter net profit and separation of the tasks of chairman and group CEO. At 1520 local time, the Carnival plc stock traded 3.49% higher at £22.52 in London. In New York, Carnival Corporation advanced 2.11% to $33.55.

Carnival says bookings for rest of year behind year-on levels and prices

Carnival Corp & plc, the world’s largest cruise shipping group, says at  this time, cumulative advance bookings for the remainder of 2013 are behind the prior year at prices below the prior year levels. Since the end of March, fleetwide booking volumes for the next three quarters, excluding Carnival Cruise Lines, are running higher than the prior year at higher prices.

Booking volumes for Carnival Cruise Lines during the same period are running behind the prior year at lower prices.

 Chairman and CEO Micky Arison noted, “Our 90,000 global team members are dedicated to delivering an outstanding vacation experience to 10 million guests each year. The level of quality, variety and innovation available throughout our fleet has never been greater and our guests are reaping the benefits of truly exceptional vacation values. We are working to more broadly communicate that message through stepped up consumer and trade marketing efforts, as well as strengthened engagement of our travel agent partners. We believe these initiatives, combined with slower supply growth, will lead to increased yields.”

Arison also stated, “In addition, we remain focused on reducing our fuel dependence. By year end, we will achieve a 23% cumulative reduction in fuel consumption since 2005 and expect our research and development efforts in fuel saving technologies to continue to bear fruit. We have strengthened our management teams in maritime and technical ship operations and product delivery, as well as marketing and communications. We expect the combination of these efforts will drive improved return on invested capital over time.”

The company expects full year net revenue yields, on a constant and current dollar basis to be down 2% to 3% compared to the prior year, in line with the May guidance. The company also expects full year net cruise costs excluding fuel per ALBD to be higher by 3.5 to 4.5 percent compared to the prior year on a constant and current dollar basis.

 Taking the above factors into consideration, the company forecasts full year 2013 non-GAAP diluted earnings per share to be in the range of $1.45 to $1.65, compared to 2012 non-GAAP diluted earnings of $1.88 per share.

Carnival Corp & plc reports $72 million second quarter profit

Carnival Corporation & plc, the world’s largest cruise shipping company, reported net income of $72 million, or $0.09 diluted EPS for the second quarter of 2013 compared to non-GAAP net income for the second quarter of 2012 of $159 million, or $0.20 diluted EPS.

“For the second quarter of 2013, reported U.S. GAAP net income, which included net unrealized losses on fuel derivatives of $31 million, was $41 million, or $0.05 diluted EPS. For the second quarter of 2012, reported U.S. GAAP net income, which included unrealized losses on fuel derivatives of $145 million, was $14 million, or $0.02 diluted EPS. Revenues for the second quarter of 2013 were $3.5 billion, in line with the prior year.

Carnival Corporation & plc Chairman and CEO Micky Arison noted that second quarter earnings were slightly better than May guidance due primarily to the timing of selling and administrative expenses.

 Key metrics for the second quarter 2013 compared to the prior year were as follows:

 On a constant dollar basis, net revenue yields (net revenue per available lower berth day

or “ALBD”) decreased 1.9 percent for 2Q 2013. Gross revenue yields decreased 3.1

percent in current dollars.

 Net cruise costs excluding fuel per ALBD increased 8.8 percent in constant dollars,

primarily due to the timing of dry-dock expenses, vessel repair costs and non-recurring

items which benefitted the prior year. Gross cruise costs including fuel per ALBD in

current dollars decreased 0.1 percent.

 Fuel prices decreased 9.7 percent to $683 per metric ton for 2Q 2013 from $756 per

metric ton in 2Q 2012.

 Fuel consumption per ALBD decreased 5.7 percent in 2Q 2013 compared to the prior

year.