RCL Adam Goldstein The Daily Political reports that Royal Caribbean President Adam Goldstein (left) unloaded 2,181 shares of RCL cruise stock yesterday at an average price of $36.80, for a total value of $80,260.80.

Goldstein still owns 335,654 shares of the company’s stock worth over $12,350,000. 

A number of research firms have recently commented on RCL’s stock value. One analyst gave the stock a "sell" rating, nine analysts assigned a "hold" rating and ten issued a "buy" rating to the company’s stock. RCL currently has a consensus rating of “hold” and a consensus target price of $40.21.

The stock has a 52 week low of $24.16 and a 52 week high of $38.62. 

Royal Caribbean posted its quarterly earnings last week. The company had revenue of $1.88 billion for the quarter, with a profit of under $25,000,000.  

RCL Chairman Richard Fain (below right) said that a fire on the Royal Caribbean cruise ship Grandeur of the Seas, weak pricing in the Caribbean and itinerary disruptions in Asia affected earnings in the second quarter. 

RCL Chairman Richard FainThe cruise line’s business model is predicated on its avoidance of U.S. taxes and regulations, such as minimum wage, overtime, and OHSA regulations. Royal Caribbean avoids taxes and many U.S. regulations by incorporating itself in Africa and incorporating its cruise ships in places like the Bahamas and Malta.

Royal Caribbean and its subsidiaries are currently exempt from U.S. corporate tax on U.S. source income from the international operation of cruise ships pursuant to Section 883 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Senator Rockefeller stated at a Senate hearing last week that he would introduce legislation to close loopholes in the federal tax code which permits foreign incorporated companies operating foreign flagged cruise ships to avoid paying their fair share of U.S. taxes.

If such legislation was enacted into law, the RCL stock value would plummet. 

July 21 2013 Update: Watch List News reports that Royal Caribbean Cruises’ President Adam Goldstein "dumped 16,717 shares of the stock on the open market in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $37.20, for a total value of $621,872.40."

 

Photo Credits: Top – NBC News; Bottom – Examiner.com