The magic of Disney continues to charm Wall Street as The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) shares rose 0.8% during mid-day trading this past Friday. Reaching a high of $102.27 before settling at $102.04, it was a promising day for the Mouse House, despite trading volumes being significantly lower than usual.
There’s plenty of cheer in Disney’s financials. Analysts have kept a mostly sunny outlook on the stock. Needham & Company LLC has renewed its strong “buy” rating, setting a target price of $145.00, while other firms like Barclays have shown slight caution, adjusting their price objectives downward by a small margin. The general consensus, as per MarketBeat data, points towards a “Moderate Buy” with a target price averaging around $126.29.
Recent performances offer further reason for optimism. In its latest earnings report for the quarter ending May 7th, Disney posted an impressive $1.21 earnings per share, surpassing the expected $1.12. While its revenue figures were a hair’s breadth below estimates, Disney’s robust return on equity and slight increase in year-over-year revenue highlight its resilient strategy. Investors are optimistic as Disney continues to project full-year earnings of approximately 4.76 per share.
Notably, Disney’s internal actors are making moves as well. EVP Sonia L. Coleman sold 1,857 shares, while Director James P. Gorman made a significant purchase of 20,000 shares, indicating confidence in the company’s future prospects.
Institutional activity too has been bustling. Firms like Westwood Holdings Group Inc. and Cacti Asset Management LLC have increased their holdings, signaling robust institutional confidence in Disney’s growth trajectory. With hedge funds and professional investors holding over 65% of Disney’s stock, the faith in Disney’s long-term vision appears unwavering.
Disney continues to weave its storytelling magic not just in entertainment but also in the financial arena. What are your thoughts on this magical rise? Share your comments below and don’t forget to share this story with fellow Disney fans and investors!
[Sources: MarketBeat]
