5 Cheapest Strong Buy Stocks to Buy Right Now

3. Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE:CCL)

On March 30, Citi lowered its price target on Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE:CCL) to $35 from $39 while maintaining a Buy rating, following the company’s first-quarter results. Carnival reported record adjusted EBITDA but reduced its fiscal 2026 guidance due to higher fuel costs, despite improving its operational outlook. The firm emphasized that the recent share price weakness was largely driven by broader market conditions and rising fuel prices rather than any deterioration in underlying business fundamentals, which remain strong on an ex-fuel basis.

On the same day, Bernstein analyst Richard Clarke reduced the firm’s price target on Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE:CCL) to $28.70 from $33 while maintaining a Market Perform rating, noting that the quarter was expected to be challenging given macroeconomic pressures and the company’s lack of fuel hedging. However, key metrics came in better than anticipated, including a smaller-than-feared reduction in EPS guidance, improved yield projections, strong booking trends, and lower cost guidance excluding fuel, indicating resilient demand and effective cost management.

Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE:CCL) is a global leader in leisure travel, operating a fleet of more than 90 cruise ships across a diverse portfolio of brands. Founded in 1972 and dual-headquartered in Miami and London, the company has pioneered the modern cruise industry. Despite near-term fuel cost pressures, Carnival’s strong demand environment, improving operational metrics, and resilient booking trends position it well for continued recovery, supporting an attractive investment opportunity with significant upside potential.