Topic: How To Invest

Q: Thanks for all your recommendations over the years, Pat. Can I have your advice on new IPO Viking Holdings?

Article Excerpt

A: Viking Holdings Ltd., $45.40, symbol VIK on New York (Shares outstanding: 431.6 million; Market cap: $19.6 billion; ir.viking.com), operates luxury river and ocean cruises. The company operates 92 vessels worldwide, with over 10,000 employees serving 650,000 guests in 2023. Viking has an estimated 51% share of the North American outbound river market and 26% of the luxury ocean market. Viking has 80 river vessels, with another 18 slated for delivery by 2026. The ships have an average age of nine years, and each can carry 190 guests. The company also has nine ocean ships, with another six slated for delivery by 2028. The ships have an average age of four years, and each can carry 930 to 998 guests. Viking’s expedition fleet consists of two ships. They have an average age of two years and can carry 378 guests each. Finally, the company has one time-chartered river ship that cruises the Mississippi. It’s one year old and carries 386 guests. The company was founded in…