Seatrade Cruise News is part of the Informa Markets Division of Informa PLC

This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Registered in England and Wales. Number 8860726.

'Brexit' key to underperforming cruise stocks: Wells Fargo

dc6a6bd395ea1557c9ae8123b7487515_XL
Britain Stronger In Europe campaigners in London earlier this month (Photo: Philafrenzy)
Investor concerns about Britain's potential exit from the European Union have been the main reason for cruise stocks underperforming since late May, in the view of Wells Fargo Securities, which cited China pricing and softer North American consumer demand for Europe cruises as other factors.

UK voters go to the polls Thursday.

Since May 25, Carnival Corp. and Royal Caribbean stocks have declined 3.7%, and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings 6.8%, according to Wells Fargo. Only RCL shares are down less than the S&P 500. Collectively, the cruise stocks are 4.7% lower, compared to the S&P 500 decline of 3.8%.

In a note, the brokerage said cruise shares stand to gain if UK voters opt to continue EU membership.

But should Britain leave the EU, multiple trade agreements are at stake, along with trade and economic growth and related fiscal implications.

'Economically, a Brexit vote could in the short-term also negatively impact eurozone growth and, to a lesser degree, global growth,' Wells Fargo analyst Tim Conder said.

The brokerage's currency exchange researchers found concerns related to Brexit began impacting the pound sterling/dollar rate in December, with the rate since then moving between 1.38 and 1.53, following the public opinion polls. The researchers currently forecast a 1.35 to 1.40 rate under an exit scenario and a 1.45 to 1.50 range should the UK remain in the EU.

Wells Fargo said the pound/dollar rate peaked at 1.47 on May 25 when polls indicated voters leaning toward 'stay,' then declined to 1.436 on June 17 and now approximates the midpoint of the 1.35 to 1.50 range estimate, reflecting current 'toss-up' polling.