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Disney shares slide as weak demand for experiences outweighs surprise streaming gains
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Disney shares slide as weak demand for experiences outweighs surprise streaming gains

The central theses

  • Disney shares fell on Wednesday even as the entertainment giant reported better third-quarter results than analysts expected.
  • The combined streaming business of ESPN+, Disney+ and Hulu turned a profit in the quarter, earlier than Disney expected.
  • However, the company warned that lower demand in its experiences segment, which includes theme parks, could continue in the coming quarters.

Walt Disney Co. (DIS) reported better-than-analysts-expected third-quarter results, thanks to the success of films like “Inside Out 2” and an earlier-than-expected profit for its overall streaming business.

The entertainment giant reported a profit of $2.62 billion, after posting a loss of $460 million in the third quarter of last year. The company also reported revenue of $23.16 billion, just above analyst estimates compiled by Visible Alpha.

Despite the positive sentiment in the entertainment and sports segments, Disney also raised concerns about consumer spending in its experiences segment, which includes theme parks. The company warned that the “demand slowdown” observed in the third quarter “could impact the next few quarters.”

Streaming profits surprise due to higher prices and subscribers

After achieving overall profitability in its streaming business in the second quarter, Disney reported its first quarterly profit in its direct-to-consumer (DTC) segment as ESPN+ boosted earnings. Disney, which had previously expected its streaming business to become profitable starting in the fourth quarter, said Tuesday that it would raise prices on its streaming platforms starting in October.

“This was a strong quarter for Disney, driven by outstanding results in our Entertainment segment at both the box office and DTC, as we achieved profitability for the first time in our combined streaming businesses and exceeded our previous guidance by a quarter,” said Bob Iger, Disney’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Disney’s share price, which had remained essentially unchanged year-on-year through Tuesday’s close, fell more than 3 percent to $86.91 at the open on Wednesday.

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