Disney Stock Sails to the Top of the Dow After Earnings. Is It Time to Buy?
Walt Disney stock is higher Thursday after the entertainment giant beat earnings expectations and issued a strong outlook. Here's what Wall Street is saying.


Walt Disney (DIS) stock is the best Dow Jones stock Thursday after the entertainment and media giant beat top- and bottom-line expectations for its fiscal 2024 fourth quarter and provided positive guidance.
In the quarter ended September 28, Disney's revenue increased 6.3% year over year to $22.6 billion, boosted by 13.7% revenue growth in its Entertainment segment to $10.8 billion. Its earnings per share (EPS) rose 39% from the year-ago period to $1.14.
"This was a pivotal and successful year for The Walt Disney Company, and thanks to the significant progress we've made, we have emerged from a period of considerable challenges and disruption well positioned for growth and optimistic about our future," said Disney CEO Bob Iger in a statement. "Our solid performance in the fiscal fourth quarter reflected the success of our strategic efforts to improve quality, innovation, efficiency, and value creation."

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
The results came in ahead of analysts' expectations. Wall Street was anticipating revenue of $22.5 billion and earnings of $1.10 per share, according to CNBC.
Disney ended the quarter with 122.7 million Disney+ Core subscriptions and 52 million Hulu subscriptions, an increase of 3.7% and 1.8%, respectively, from the prior quarter.
"With a strong lineup of beloved intellectual property in the works, Disney's content pipeline is looking particularly robust," says Third Bridge analyst Albie Amankona. "Upcoming releases like 'Moana 2,' which shifted from Disney+ to a theatrical release, underscore Disney's strategy of leaning into fan-favorite franchises. This approach maximizes cross-platform monetization, creating synergy across streaming, theaters, and the parks."
The company went on to provide its guidance for fiscal 2025. It expects earnings per share to rise in the high-single range compared to fiscal 2024, dividend growth that tracks its earnings growth and about $3 billion in stock buybacks.
DIS also provided an outlook for fiscal 2026 and 2027, calling for double-digit EPS growth in each of those years.
"We are confident in the long-term prospects for the business and believe we are well positioned for growth," Disney said.
Is Disney a buy, sell or hold?
Disney is up nearly 23% for the year to date and Wall Street is bullish on the stock. According to S&P Global Market Intelligence, the consensus recommendation among analysts it tracks is a Buy.
However, analysts' price targets have not been able to keep up with the blue chip stock's increasing share price. Indeed, the average analyst price target of $110.67 now represents a slight discount to current levels. Analysts may very well raise their prices targets in the days and weeks ahead following the strong quarter.
BofA Securities analyst Jessica Reif Ehrlich is one of those with a Buy rating on Disney stock and an above-average $120 price target.
"DIS has a collection of best-in-class premiere assets (in content and intellectual propert as well as Theme Parks)," Reif Ehrlich says. She adds that near-term catalysts for Disney include profitability inflection in direct-to-consumer and a reacceleration in its parks business.
Related Content
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.

Joey Solitro is a freelance financial journalist at Kiplinger with more than a decade of experience. A longtime equity analyst, Joey has covered a range of industries for media outlets including The Motley Fool, Seeking Alpha, Market Realist, and TipRanks. Joey holds a bachelor's degree in business administration.
-
Social Security Will Continue Sending Paper Checks, Reversing Course
The Social Security Administration has backed off from plans to eliminate paper checks. However, it will only send checks in the mail as a matter of last resort.
-
Ask the Editor — Tax Questions on Four New Tax Deductions
Ask the Editor In this week's Ask the Editor Q&A, we answer tax questions from readers on four new tax deductions in the "One Big Beautiful Bill."
-
How Divorced Retirees Can Maximize Their Social Security Benefits: A Case Study
Susan discovered several years after she filed for Social Security that she is eligible to receive benefits based on her ex-spouse's earnings record. This case study explains how her new benefits are calculated and what her steps are to claim some of the money she missed.
-
From Piggy Banks to Portfolios: A Financial Planner's Guide to Talking to Your Kids About Money at Every Age
From toddlers to young adults, all kids can benefit from open conversations with their parents about spending and saving. Here's what to talk about — and when.
-
I'm an Investment Pro: Here's How Alternatives Could Inject Stability and Growth Into Your Portfolio
Alternative investments can often avoid the impact of volatility, counterbalancing the ups and downs of stocks and bonds during times of market stress.
-
Dow Bleeds Red Due to Big Blue: Stock Market Today
Six of the official GICS sectors were in the green, led by communications services, technology and energy stocks.
-
July Fed Meeting: Live Updates and Commentary
The July Fed meeting could be a lively economic event, with Wall Street keyed into what Fed Chair Powell has to say about interest rates and President Trump.
-
A Contrarian Approach Pays Off for This Small-Cap Fund
Small-cap stocks have been hit hard by tariff worries, but this T. Rowe Price fund has outperformed thanks to its manager's against-the-tide approach.
-
A Financial Planner's Guide to Unlocking the Power of a 529 Plan
529 plans are still the gold standard for saving for college, especially for affluent families, though they are most effective when combined with other financial tools for a comprehensive strategy.
-
An Investment Strategist Takes a Practical Look at Alternative Investments
Alternatives can play an important role in a portfolio by offering different exposures and goals, but investors should carefully consider their complexity, costs, taxes and liquidity. Here's an alts primer.