Zacks Research Has Positive View of Walt Disney Q1 Earnings

The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) – Stock analysts at Zacks Research raised their Q1 2025 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for Walt Disney in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday, December 5th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now expects that the entertainment giant will post earnings per share of $1.42 for the quarter, up from their previous forecast of $1.22. The consensus estimate for Walt Disney’s current full-year earnings is $5.39 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Walt Disney’s Q2 2025 earnings at $1.26 EPS, Q3 2025 earnings at $1.43 EPS, Q4 2025 earnings at $1.19 EPS, FY2025 earnings at $5.31 EPS, Q2 2026 earnings at $1.48 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $1.52 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $1.54 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $6.02 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $6.72 EPS.

Walt Disney (NYSE:DIS) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, November 14th. The entertainment giant reported $1.14 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.09 by $0.05. Walt Disney had a return on equity of 9.21% and a net margin of 5.44%. The firm had revenue of $22.57 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $22.49 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.82 earnings per share. The company’s revenue was up 6.3% compared to the same quarter last year.

Several other analysts have also recently issued reports on the stock. Raymond James reaffirmed a “market perform” rating on shares of Walt Disney in a research note on Tuesday, October 1st. Bank of America increased their price target on Walt Disney from $120.00 to $140.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, November 15th. Sanford C. Bernstein upped their target price on Walt Disney from $115.00 to $120.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, November 15th. Piper Sandler started coverage on Walt Disney in a report on Wednesday, October 16th. They set a “neutral” rating and a $95.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on shares of Walt Disney from $110.00 to $125.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, November 15th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eighteen have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Walt Disney presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $123.67.

Walt Disney Trading Up 0.2 %

Shares of NYSE:DIS opened at $116.73 on Monday. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $102.70 and its 200-day moving average price is $97.65. Walt Disney has a 1 year low of $83.91 and a 1 year high of $123.74. The firm has a market capitalization of $211.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 43.07, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.18 and a beta of 1.42. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a current ratio of 0.73 and a quick ratio of 0.67.

Walt Disney Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 16th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 16th will be issued a dividend of $0.50 per share. This is an increase from Walt Disney’s previous semi-annual dividend of $0.45. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 16th. This represents a dividend yield of 0.6%. Walt Disney’s payout ratio is currently 33.21%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Walt Disney

In other news, CEO Robert A. Iger sold 372,412 shares of Walt Disney stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $114.57, for a total transaction of $42,667,242.84. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 226,767 shares in the company, valued at $25,980,695.19. The trade was a 62.15 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP Brent Woodford sold 5,000 shares of Walt Disney stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $113.62, for a total transaction of $568,100.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 44,055 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $5,005,529.10. This trade represents a 10.19 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.10% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Walt Disney

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. William B. Walkup & Associates Inc. acquired a new position in Walt Disney in the second quarter worth about $32,000. Mascoma Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in Walt Disney by 38.0% in the second quarter. Mascoma Wealth Management LLC now owns 443 shares of the entertainment giant’s stock valued at $44,000 after buying an additional 122 shares in the last quarter. First PREMIER Bank grew its stake in Walt Disney by 98.1% during the third quarter. First PREMIER Bank now owns 517 shares of the entertainment giant’s stock worth $50,000 after buying an additional 256 shares during the last quarter. FSA Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Walt Disney during the third quarter worth approximately $51,000. Finally, Iron Horse Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Walt Disney by 148.7% in the second quarter. Iron Horse Wealth Management LLC now owns 557 shares of the entertainment giant’s stock valued at $55,000 after acquiring an additional 333 shares during the last quarter. 65.71% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Walt Disney

The Walt Disney Company operates as an entertainment company worldwide. It operates through three segments: Entertainment, Sports, and Experiences. The company produces and distributes film and television video streaming content under the ABC Television Network, Disney, Freeform, FX, Fox, National Geographic, and Star brand television channels, as well as ABC television stations and A+E television networks; and produces original content under the ABC Signature, Disney Branded Television, FX Productions, Lucasfilm, Marvel, National Geographic Studios, Pixar, Searchlight Pictures, Twentieth Century Studios, 20th Television, and Walt Disney Pictures banners.