Pullmantur charge tugs RCL's strong Q3, guidance goes up on Caribbean clout

Adjusted net income was $628.1m, or $2.84 per share, above Wall Street's $2.71 consensus and versus $492.9m, or $2.20 per share, in 2014, excluding the Pullmantur charge. The non-cash $399.3m write down for Pullmantur reduced US GAAP net income to $1.03 per share, compared to $2.19 per share a year ago.

Revenue rose to $2.52bn from $2.39bn.

Constant currency net yield rose 5.1%, about 130 basis points higher than the mid-point of guidance. Besides close-in demand for Caribbean and European cruises and Asia's strength, on-board revenue yield went up 10%, mainly driven by strong retail and beverage sales and VOOM, the company's super-fast Wi-Fi.

With the economic outlook for Latin America further deteriorating in recent months, Pullmantur is refocusing on Spain. The charge is primarily related to the brand's goodwill, trademark and trade names and a reduction in the carrying value of certain vessels.

The brand will be 'right-sized,' with Empress returned to the Royal Caribbean fleet in February 2016. After an extensive drydock, the ship will again sail as Empress of the Seas.

'Even though we are disappointed to have such a large non-cash charge related to Pullmantur, we are enthusiastic about the overall strength of our brands and our ability to continue our dramatic profitability growth,' said Richard Fain, Royal Caribbean chairman and ceo.

The company raised its full-year EPS guidance to approximately $4.80, a nickel above the high end of its prior forecast. Its Q4 EPS guidance is 90 cents, up from 32 cents a year ago but under the consensus of 97 cents.

Royal Caribbean reported good early booking trends for 2016. Booked load factors and average per diems are higher than same time last year and the booking window has extended.

The company also announced $500m share repurchase program.

This will begin with a $200m accelerated repurchase expected to be completed by the end of January. Future transactions could include open market purchases or additional accelerated share repurchases. The company expects to complete the program by year-end 2016.