Written by StockNews.com

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (Nasdaq: NCLH) early Wednesday posted market-beating first quarter earnings results and offered an in-line forecast for the year.

The Miami-based cruise ship operator reported Q1:

• earnings per share (EPS) of $0.40, which was $0.03 better than the Wall Street consensus estimate of $0.37 [while]
• revenues rose 6.8% from last year to $1.15 billion, also beating analysts’ view for $1.14 billion.

Looking ahead, NCLH:

• forecast Q2 EPS of $0.95, which is right in-line with Wall Street’s consensus outlook of $0.94 [and,]
• for the full year 2017, Norwegian sees EPS of $2.79 to $3.89, a very wide range that could miss or exceed the $3.85 per share that analysts are looking for.

Wendy Beck, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., commented via press release:

“A strong end to the most successful Wave season in recent history resulted in a meaningful improvement in our full year booked position, with both occupancy and pricing now well ahead of prior year.

I am pleased to report that the strong performance witnessed in our core markets and reflected in first quarter results also extended to our booked business in future quarters, allowing us to increase our full year Adjusted EPS and Adjusted Net Yield growth guidance.

This positive momentum has been partially offset by recent uncertainties in Norwegian Joy’s Chinese source market caused by the South Korea travel restriction.

Taking all factors into account, we are on track to deliver another year of solid financial performance and double-digit Adjusted EPS growth.”

...Year-to-date, NCLH has gained 31.15%, versus a 7.58% rise in the benchmark S&P 500 index during the same period.

NCLH currently has a StockNews.com POWR Rating of A (Strong Buy) and is ranked #4 of 5 stocks in the Travel – Cruises category.