Royal Caribbean Attributes Strong Q3 to Momentum in the Caribbean

Royal Caribbean reports adjusted net income during Q3 was $628.1 million, compared to $492.9 million during the same period last year.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (Royal Caribbean) [NYSE, OSE: RCL] has says that it has posted strong third quarter results for 2015 in a year of "over 40 percent earnings growth," noting that the positive results were "mostly driven by strong momentum in the Caribbean."

Within the results, the company provided fuel expenditure guidance for the fourth quarter of $193 million, and $800 million for the full 2015 year, and expects to have burned a total of 1,363,000 metric tonnes during the year.

Royal Caribbean reports that its adjusted net income during this year's Q3 was $628.1 million, compared to $492.9 million during the same period last year, or $2.84 per share, up from $2.20 per share year on year.

"As we have reiterated throughout the year, we remain ahead on both pricing and volume versus same time last year," said Jason T. Liberty, CFO for Royal Caribbean.

"While Latin America is stressing yields in the fourth quarter, strong year-over-year pricing in the Caribbean, and the addition of capacity in China, will solidify this fourth quarter as the best in our company's history."

The company asserts that its full 2015 forecast places the company at a 3.5 percent increase from the previous year in terms of financial net yields.

Royal Caribbean has also announced a plans to repurchase up to $500 million of its common stock by the end of 2016.

"This share repurchase program, in combination with another year of over 40 percent earnings growth, and the recent 25 percent increase in the dividend, exemplify our ongoing commitment to improving shareholder returns, one of our core financial objectives," explained Liberty.

In April, Royal Caribbean said it was reporting stronger than expected results for the first quarter of 2015, despite taking a hit from rising bunker costs.