$Norwegian Cruise (NCLH.US)$ has faced rough seas this year, with its stock down 13.02% year-to-date, a 6.32% decline over the past year, and a sharp 19.23% drop in just the past month.

The company's financial outlook is under pressure, and with significant industry headwinds on the horizon, investors are left questioning whether the worst is still to come.

Financial Struggles, Industry Challenges

Norwegian Cruise Line's financial position raises red flags. The company expects its net leverage to decrease by only 1.5 turns from 2023 to 2024, despite ongoing ship announcements. This modest improvement highlights potential difficulties in de-leveraging effectively.

Additionally, Norwegian may struggle to keep pace with its peers in terms of capacity growth. Competitors are projecting year-over-year decreases in capital expenditures, casting doubt on Norwegian's ability to meet market expectations.

Adding to these challenges, Norwegian's EBITDA remains below 2019 levels, which is concerning given the long-term impacts of COVID-19, rising fuel prices and potential economic slowdowns. These factors collectively paint a cautious outlook for the cruise line giant.

Death Cross Looms For Norwegian Cruise Line Stock

Chart created using Benzinga Pro

Technically, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings appears to be heading towards a critical juncture. The stock is currently trading below its five-day, 20-day and 50-day exponential moving averages, signaling a strongly bearish trend.

A particularly alarming indicator is the approaching Death Cross, where the 50-day moving average is on the verge of crossing below the 200-day moving average. This pattern often signals further declines and could indicate more rough seas ahead for Norwegian Cruise Line stock.

Other technical indicators reinforce this bearish sentiment. The negative Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) and a Relative Strength Index (RSI) at 42.94 suggest the stock is in a neutral zone, not yet oversold, but still in bearish territory. With Bollinger Bands positioning the stock near the lower band, the overall technical picture for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings remains grim.

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Rough Seas Ahead?

With financial struggles and a looming death cross, it appears Norwegian Cruise Line's stock may be heading for troubled waters. Investors should tread carefully as these indicators suggest more potential downside.

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