Workflow
Disney Stock 'Resilient' In Uncertain Economy As Raised Guidance Signals Confidence
DISDisney(DIS) Benzinga·2025-05-08 16:17

Core Viewpoint - Disney demonstrated strong growth in parks and streaming, leading to raised guidance after a resilient first-quarter performance despite macroeconomic challenges [2][3]. Group 1: Financial Performance - Revenue, operating income, earnings per share, and free cash flow all exceeded expectations, indicating robust financial health [2]. - Disney raised its full-year earnings per share guidance, which is seen as encouraging amid recent macro volatility [2][5]. - The direct-to-consumer (DTC) segment achieved its fourth consecutive profitable quarter, with full-year DTC operating profit expected to exceed 1billion[6].Group2:ParksandStreamingGrowthFuturebookingsforWaltDisneyWorldarestrong,withbookingsup41 billion [6]. Group 2: Parks and Streaming Growth - Future bookings for Walt Disney World are strong, with bookings up 4% in Q3 and 7% in Q4 [2]. - Analysts highlighted the reacceleration of the Parks business as a near-term catalyst for growth [3]. - The launch of ESPN's flagship streaming platform in Q4 is anticipated to enhance bundled offerings with Hulu and Disney+ [5]. Group 3: Analyst Ratings and Price Action - Bank of America analyst Jessica Reif Ehrlich reiterated a Buy rating with a price target of 140, while Guggenheim's Michael Morris lowered his target from 130to130 to 120, maintaining a Buy rating [1]. - Disney stock rose 3.1% to 105.27,witha52weektradingrangeof105.27, with a 52-week trading range of 80.10 to $118.63, although it is down 5% year-to-date in 2025 [6].