Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd logo

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd(NCLH)

upturn advisory logo
EXPLORE ADVISORIES AND THEIR HISTORY
QUALITY SIGNAL
1-STAR RATING
PASS
LAST CLOSE
$15.1
10/23/2026
(24-hour delay)

Advisory History & Simulated Performance *

*as per simulation (see disclosures)
  • ALL
  • 1Y
  • 1M
  • 1W
  • BUY Advisory
  • SELL Advisory (Profit)
  • SELL Advisory (Loss)
  • Profit
  • Loss
  • PASS (Skip)
Upturn Stock price based on last close iconStock price based on last close
Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Advisory Performance History (Simulated)Advisory Performance History info

Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Upturn Advisory & Investor View for NCLH

10/23/2026: NCLH (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings is a prominent global operator in the cruise industry, managing the Norwegian, Oceania, and Regent brands. The company is known for its 'Freestyle' cruising concept, which offers a flexible, modern vacation experience. Its primary growth story centers on fleet expansion and the potential for margin improvement as occupancy and pricing power recover from recent industry disruptions. However, investors must weigh these opportunities against significant debt levels and sensitivities to macroeconomic cycles. NCLH may suit growth-oriented investors with a high risk tolerance, but those seeking income should note the absence of dividends and the volatility inherent in the cruise sector.

How to Read the Upturn Advisory

The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.

Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.

Investor Fit

Investor styleFitWhy
Growth investorMixed fitThe company offers growth potential through fleet expansion, but this is balanced against a substantial debt burden.
Momentum investorStrong fit while signal remains positiveMomentum investors may favor the stock during periods of strong cruise industry booking trends and upward earnings revisions.
Value investorMixed fitValuation levels may appear attractive to some, but high leverage complicates traditional value assessment.
Dividend investorWeak fitNCLH does not currently pay a dividend, making it unsuitable for income-focused portfolios.
Low-risk investorWeak fitHigh volatility and sensitivity to economic cycles make this stock unsuitable for conservative, risk-averse investors.

Risk Profile

Risk factorLevelWhy it matters
Price volatilityHighThe stock is highly sensitive to macroeconomic sentiment and industry-specific news cycles.
Valuation riskMedium / highValuation is sensitive to future capacity growth and potential margin expansion efforts.
Competition risk (Pricing/Scale)HighThe company competes with much larger entities with significant economies of scale.
Business qualityMediumWhile the brand portfolio is strong, the balance sheet health remains a critical constraint.
Dividend incomeLow / noneNo dividend is paid, providing no income component to total return.
Execution riskMedium / highSuccessful fleet management and cost-reduction initiatives are vital for long-term debt reduction.

Price Behavior

Steep Decline
PRICE PATH

Steep Decline

The stock price has dropped sharply with strong downward pressure.

Choppy
PRICE STABILITY

Choppy

The stock has experienced frequent reversals and pronounced short-term price swings.

Analysis of Past Performance

Type Stock
Historic Profit -38.51%
Avg. Invested days 31
Today’s Advisory PASS
Upturn Advisory Rating upturn star rating icon
Upturn Advisory Performance Upturn Advisory Performance icon 2.0
Stock Returns Performance Upturn Returns Performance icon 1.0
Upturn Profits based on simulation icon Profits based on simulation
Upturn last close icon Last Close 10/23/2026

Upturn Scorecard

Upturn Star Rating

★★★★★
NCLH receives a 3-star rating, supported by solid analyst coverage. The rating is constrained by soft unit economics, and weak price momentum.

Company Fundamentals

★★★★★
NCLH has moderate overall fundamentals (3 stars), with moderate financial health, soft growth momentum, and solid ownership. In FY2025 versus FY2024, growth and ownership metrics are mixed: negative earnings growth (-53.5%), weak cash generation (FCF margin -11.9%), moderate revenue growth (+3.7%).

Financial Health Rating

★★★★★
NCLH's financial health is supported by moderate efficiency, including operating-expense and cost-of-revenue discipline (opex 15.8% of revenue). Liquidity is soft (2 stars), which helps explain the 3-star overall score.

Growth Momentum Score

★★★★★
Revenue growth is NCLH's strongest growth driver at +3.7% FY2025 versus FY2024 (moderate, 3 stars). By comparison, while earnings growth (-53.5%, negative) and free-cash-flow growth (-239.5%, negative) hold the profile back, so recent growth is not broad-based across the business.

Ownership

★★★★★
Institutional ownership is 104.6% and approximately 99.2% of outstanding shares are publicly tradable, supporting liquidity and institutional participation. Insider ownership is only 0.85%, which materially reduces the ownership score.

Top 5 Institutional Investors

Vanguard Capital Management, LLC 6.53%
BlackRock Inc 6.39%
UBS Group AG 5.08%
The Goldman Sachs Group Inc 4.12%
Vanguard Portfolio Management, LLC 4.07%

Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)

★★★★★
NCLH generates approximately $320 of gross profit, $162 of operating income, and $-119 of free cash flow for every $1,000 of revenue. Based on FY2025 results. Negative free cash flow explains the 2-star rating, with weak cash conversion and soft capital efficiency.

Economic Dimensions

★★★★★
Effective Tax Rate: 1.28%

Quantitative Style Profile

★★★★★
NCLH has a high-quality, liquid profile. Weak momentum is the primary drawback, while elevated volatility.

Style Classification

Quality Focused

Value-OrientedQuality TiltHigh VolatilitySmall / Mid Cap RiskShort Squeeze RiskHighly Liquid / Institution-Friendly

Key Highlights

Company Size Mid-Cap Stock
Market Capitalization 7.14B USD
Price to earnings Ratio 9.65
1Y Target Price 18.71
Price to earnings Ratio 9.65
1Y Target Price 18.71
Volume (30-day avg) 20.2M shares
Beta 1.96
52 Weeks Range 13.63 - 25.13
Updated Date 10/22/2026
52 Weeks Range 13.63 - 25.13
Updated Date 10/22/2026
Dividends yield (FY) -
Basic EPS (TTM) 1.61

How Company Makes Money

Business areaWhat it includesRetail investor read
Passenger Ticket SalesRevenue generated from the primary sale of cruise tickets across all three brands.This is the primary revenue stream, directly tied to passenger volume and pricing power.
Onboard and Other RevenueRevenue from shore excursions, specialty dining, beverage packages, and onboard retail.This area is crucial for margin expansion as it often carries higher profitability than ticket sales.

Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth

Revenue by Products

Product revenue - Year on Year

Revenue by Geography

Geography revenue - Year on Year

Advertisement

Earnings Date

Report Date 2026-10-29
When Before Market
Estimate 0.86
Actual -

Profitability

Profit Margin 7.49%
Operating Margin (TTM) 14.04%

Management Effectiveness

Return on Assets (TTM) 4.25%
Return on Equity (TTM) 36.73%

Valuation

Trailing PE 9.65
Forward PE 8.52
Enterprise Value 21.33B
Price to Sales(TTM) 0.7
Enterprise Value 21.33B
Price to Sales(TTM) 0.7
Enterprise Value to Revenue 2.1
Enterprise Value to EBITDA 7.53
Shares Outstanding 459.19M
Shares Floating 455.35M
Shares Outstanding 459.19M
Shares Floating 455.35M
Percent Insiders 0.85
Percent Institutions 104.6

Financial Metrics

🧭 Investment Snapshot

Total Revenue (Scale)

Information icon Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.

Net Income (Profit)

Information icon Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.

Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)

Information icon Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.

📈 Growth & Strength

Operating Income (Core Profit)

Information icon Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.

EBITDA (Cash Earnings)

Information icon Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.

Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)

Information icon Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.

🛡️ Financial Safety

Cash (Liquidity Buffer)

Information icon Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.

Total Debt (Leverage Risk)

Information icon Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.

Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)

Information icon Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.

🧱 Balance Sheet Strength

Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)

Information icon Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.

Total Assets (Asset Base)

Information icon The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.

Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)

Information icon Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.

⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors

Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)

Information icon Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.

Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)

Information icon Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.

Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)

Information icon Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.

Form CRS provides a relationship summary of our automated advisory services, flat subscription fees, and conflicts of interest. Form ADV Part 2A brochure contains complete details on services, billing, and disclosures. If any summary differs from our current regulatory filings, the filed Form ADV controls.