Vanguard Supports Disney Management Against Nelson Peltz's Challenge

Guggenheim raised its price target on Walt Disney (NYSE:DIS) to $140 from $120 while maintaining a Buy rating, pointing to stronger operating leverage, improving advertising trends, and a clearer path to unified direct-to-consumer (DTC) growth.

The analysts cited refined expectations for Disney’s Linear Networks, which are benefiting from cost efficiencies and the Star India divestiture, helping reduce expenses. Although recent films like Elio and Thunderbolts have underperformed modestly at the box office, Sports advertising revenue came in stronger than forecast thanks to robust aggregate viewership during the seven-game NBA Finals series.

Disney’s Experiences segment is also seeing resilient attendance and travel trends, supporting earnings stability. Additionally, the analysts emphasized that Disney’s upcoming full control of Hulu—secured with a $439 million payment to Comcast due by July 24—will enable the company to implement a unified DTC strategy. This includes bundling opportunities with Disney+, Hulu, and the forthcoming ESPN streaming service to drive incremental revenue.

Guggenheim now expects third-quarter total segment operating income (OI) of $4.5 billion, up from $4.4 billion previously, and has lifted its full-year segment OI forecast to $17.7 billion—just ahead of the $17.65 billion consensus. The updated outlook reflects Disney’s improving cost profile and growing momentum in streaming, supporting continued upside potential.

Guggenheim raised its price target on Walt Disney (NYSE:DIS) to $140 from $120 while maintaining a Buy rating, citing improved operating forecasts, resilient theme park trends, and a clearer path to direct-to-consumer (DTC) growth.

The firm updated its model to reflect several positives, including lower operating expenses at Linear Networks thanks to the Star India divestiture and ongoing cost efficiencies. While recent films like Elio and Thunderbolts underperformed modestly at the box office, Sports advertising revenue is tracking better than expected, buoyed by overall audience growth during the NBA Finals.

Meanwhile, Disney’s Experiences division continues to show resilient attendance and travel demand, supporting earnings stability.

Guggenheim highlighted Disney’s upcoming full ownership of Hulu—secured with a $439 million payment to Comcast due by July 24—as a catalyst for advancing its unified DTC strategy. This includes integrating Hulu with Disney+ and the upcoming ESPN streaming service, creating new bundling opportunities to boost revenue.

The analysts now forecast fiscal Q3 segment operating income of $4.5 billion, up from $4.4 billion previously, lifting full-year segment operating income to $17.7 billion—slightly ahead of the $17.65 billion Street consensus. The updated outlook reinforces Disney’s potential for sustainable profit growth and stronger competitive positioning in streaming.

The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) is a global entertainment giant known for its theme parks, movies, and streaming services. On May 8, 2025, Michael Morris from Guggenheim set a price target of $120 for Disney stock, which was trading at around $105.15. This suggests a potential upside of about 14.13% from its current price.

Disney has shown resilience in a challenging economic climate, with strong performance in its parks and streaming services. Following its first-quarter results, Disney raised its guidance, indicating confidence in its future. Bank of America analyst Jessica Reif Ehrlich reiterated a Buy rating, setting a price target of $140, as highlighted by the company's robust financial performance.

Despite lowering the price target from $130 to $120, Guggenheim's Michael Morris maintained a Buy rating. Needham analyst Laura Martin also upheld a Buy rating with a $125 price target. Disney's recent quarter exceeded expectations in revenue, operating income, earnings per share, and free cash flow, as noted by Ehrlich.

Disney's decision to raise its full-year earnings per share is encouraging, especially amid recent macroeconomic volatility. Although the company did not increase its fiscal year 2025 guidance for its Experiences segment, future bookings data remains strong. Walt Disney World bookings are up 4% in the third quarter and 7% in the fourth quarter.

Currently, Disney's stock is priced at $105.16, reflecting a 3% increase or $3.07. The stock has fluctuated between a low of $103.86 and a high of $106.19 today. Over the past year, Disney's stock has reached a high of $118.63 and a low of $80.10. The company's market capitalization is approximately $190.1 billion, with a trading volume of 16,792,922 shares on the NYSE.

The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) is a global entertainment giant known for its theme parks, movies, and streaming services. On May 8, 2025, Michael Morris from Guggenheim set a price target of $120 for Disney stock, which was trading at around $105.15. This suggests a potential upside of about 14.13% from its current price.

Disney has shown resilience in a challenging economic climate, with strong performance in its parks and streaming services. Following its first-quarter results, Disney raised its guidance, indicating confidence in its future. Bank of America analyst Jessica Reif Ehrlich reiterated a Buy rating, setting a price target of $140, as highlighted by the company's robust financial performance.

Despite lowering the price target from $130 to $120, Guggenheim's Michael Morris maintained a Buy rating. Needham analyst Laura Martin also upheld a Buy rating with a $125 price target. Disney's recent quarter exceeded expectations in revenue, operating income, earnings per share, and free cash flow, as noted by Ehrlich.

Disney's decision to raise its full-year earnings per share is encouraging, especially amid recent macroeconomic volatility. Although the company did not increase its fiscal year 2025 guidance for its Experiences segment, future bookings data remains strong. Walt Disney World bookings are up 4% in the third quarter and 7% in the fourth quarter.

Currently, Disney's stock is priced at $105.16, reflecting a 3% increase or $3.07. The stock has fluctuated between a low of $103.86 and a high of $106.19 today. Over the past year, Disney's stock has reached a high of $118.63 and a low of $80.10. The company's market capitalization is approximately $190.1 billion, with a trading volume of 16,792,922 shares on the NYSE.

The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) shares jumped over 10% intra-day today after the company reported stronger-than-expected fiscal second-quarter results and issued an upbeat full-year profit forecast, easing investor concerns about macroeconomic uncertainty and tariff-related pressures.

Adjusted earnings per share came in at $1.45, well above the $1.20 analyst estimate and up from $1.21 in the same quarter last year. Revenue grew 7% to $23.62 billion, surpassing forecasts of $23.05 billion.

Disney’s total segment operating income rose 15% to $4.44 billion, driven by strong performance in its entertainment division, particularly boosted by a rebound in Disney+ subscriber growth. Gains in the parks and experiences segment also helped offset weakness in the sports business, where rising programming and production costs, tied to expanded football coverage, weighed on profitability.

Looking ahead, Disney expects full-year adjusted earnings per share of $5.75—comfortably above the $5.44 consensus. The guidance reflects management’s confidence in streaming momentum, resilient consumer demand at its theme parks, and continued operational discipline across the business.

The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) shares jumped over 10% intra-day today after the company reported stronger-than-expected fiscal second-quarter results and issued an upbeat full-year profit forecast, easing investor concerns about macroeconomic uncertainty and tariff-related pressures.

Adjusted earnings per share came in at $1.45, well above the $1.20 analyst estimate and up from $1.21 in the same quarter last year. Revenue grew 7% to $23.62 billion, surpassing forecasts of $23.05 billion.

Disney’s total segment operating income rose 15% to $4.44 billion, driven by strong performance in its entertainment division, particularly boosted by a rebound in Disney+ subscriber growth. Gains in the parks and experiences segment also helped offset weakness in the sports business, where rising programming and production costs, tied to expanded football coverage, weighed on profitability.

Looking ahead, Disney expects full-year adjusted earnings per share of $5.75—comfortably above the $5.44 consensus. The guidance reflects management’s confidence in streaming momentum, resilient consumer demand at its theme parks, and continued operational discipline across the business.

JPMorgan analysts reiterated an Overweight rating on Walt Disney (NYSE:DIS) with a $130 price target, emphasizing the long-term strength of the company’s Parks & Experiences division.

According to the bank Disney’s theme parks remain the company’s biggest revenue and profit driver, a trend expected to continue even as its direct-to-consumer (DTC) streaming segment expands and improves margins. The analysts view Disney’s parks as a key differentiator in the media landscape, offering unique real-world experiences tied to its intellectual property, such as rides, character interactions, and branded merchandise.

JPMorgan remains optimistic about the earnings potential of the parks business, particularly as Disney invests in new attractions, cruise line expansion, and pricing optimizations. While macroeconomic factors pose challenges to any consumer discretionary business, the firm believes Disney retains significant control over key operational levers, allowing it to navigate market shifts effectively.