Walt Disney Stock Price, News & Analysis

The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) will host its Investor Day 2020 via webcast on December 10, 2020, starting at 4:30 p.m. ET. The event will focus on the Company's direct-to-consumer streaming services and is expected to last around four hours. Interested investors can view the webcast and access archived presentations at www.disney.com/investors.

The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) Board of Directors announced the suspension of semi-annual cash dividends for the second half of fiscal 2020 due to COVID-19's ongoing impact. This decision reflects a strategic shift towards prioritizing investments in direct-to-consumer initiatives. The company emphasized the move aims to enhance its competitive positioning in the evolving media landscape.

The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) reported a challenging fourth quarter for fiscal year 2020, with a diluted EPS loss of $0.39, down from a profit of $0.43 in the previous year. The pandemic severely impacted results, notably in the Parks segment, which saw a revenue decline of 61% to $2.6 billion. Total revenues fell 23% to $14.7 billion. However, direct-to-consumer services exceeded expectations, with Disney+ reaching over 73 million paid subscribers. The overall operating income suffered a loss of $580 million, compared to a gain of $1.25 billion in Q4 2019.

The first Mando Monday event launched today, featuring Star Wars products inspired by The Mandalorian. Hosted by actors Pedro Pascal, Carl Weathers, and Giancarlo Esposito, the global digital event showcased various merchandise, pre-orders available at 1 p.m. PT/4 p.m. ET through major retailers like shopDisney.com. Highlights include Hasbro's Retro Collection and a new line of skateboards. The program will unveil new products weekly until December 21, coinciding with the second season premiere of The Mandalorian on Disney+.

Disney store and shopDisney.com unveiled its 2020 Top 15 Holiday Toys list, featuring items inspired by beloved Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, and Marvel characters. The list highlights products such as the Arendelle Castle Play Set from Frozen 2 and The Mandalorian Talking Action Figure. This initiative marks the third consecutive year of sharing recommended gifts for the holiday season, as families increasingly seek creative entertainment options while spending more time at home. Notably, two highly anticipated items will remain undisclosed until October 26.

The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) has announced a strategic reorganization of its media and entertainment businesses to enhance its direct-to-consumer (DTC) strategy. The new structure centralizes distribution and monetization under a global Media and Entertainment Distribution organization, which will oversee all streaming services and P&L accountability. Content creation will be divided into three groups: Studios, General Entertainment, and Sports, each led by experienced executives. This shift aims to accelerate growth and increase shareholder value, with anticipated financial reporting changes starting in Q1 of fiscal 2021.

The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) will release its fiscal full year and fourth quarter 2020 financial results on November 12, 2020, after market close. A live audio webcast will follow at 4:30 p.m. EST / 1:30 p.m. PST, allowing investors to listen in. The presentation will also be archived for later access.