The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) Sees Large Decrease in Short Interest

The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) was the target of a significant decline in short interest in the month of January. As of January 31st, there was short interest totalling 17,610,000 shares, a decline of 8.9% from the January 15th total of 19,340,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 9,640,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.8 days. Currently, 1.0% of the shares of the company are short sold.

Insider Transactions at Walt Disney

In related news, EVP Brent Woodford sold 5,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $113.62, for a total transaction of $568,100.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 44,055 shares in the company, valued at $5,005,529.10. The trade was a 10.19 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, CEO Robert A. Iger sold 372,412 shares of Walt Disney stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $114.57, for a total value of $42,667,242.84. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 226,767 shares in the company, valued at $25,980,695.19. The trade was a 62.15 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 385,412 shares of company stock worth $44,153,263. Company insiders own 0.16% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Walt Disney

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in DIS. Mpwm Advisory Solutions LLC bought a new position in Walt Disney during the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. FPC Investment Advisory Inc. bought a new position in Walt Disney during the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. Tacita Capital Inc increased its holdings in Walt Disney by 93.2% during the 4th quarter. Tacita Capital Inc now owns 257 shares of the entertainment giant’s stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 124 shares in the last quarter. Pilgrim Partners Asia Pte Ltd bought a new position in Walt Disney during the 4th quarter worth about $32,000. Finally, Midwest Capital Advisors LLC bought a new position in Walt Disney during the 4th quarter worth about $34,000. Institutional investors own 65.71% of the company’s stock.

Walt Disney Trading Down 0.8 %

Shares of DIS traded down $0.90 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $109.48. The stock had a trading volume of 8,334,601 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,289,167. The company has a quick ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 0.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36. Walt Disney has a 52 week low of $83.91 and a 52 week high of $123.74. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $111.06 and a 200 day moving average of $102.02. The company has a market cap of $197.91 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.66, a P/E/G ratio of 1.95 and a beta of 1.42.

Walt Disney (NYSE:DIS) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 5th. The entertainment giant reported $1.76 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.44 by $0.32. Walt Disney had a net margin of 6.07% and a return on equity of 9.95%. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Walt Disney will post 5.43 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Walt Disney Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 16th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 16th were issued a dividend of $0.50 per share. This represents a yield of 0.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 16th. This is a boost from Walt Disney’s previous semi-annual dividend of $0.45. Walt Disney’s dividend payout ratio is 32.57%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

DIS has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Redburn Atlantic raised Walt Disney from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $100.00 to $147.00 in a report on Tuesday, January 7th. Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on Walt Disney in a report on Wednesday, December 4th. They issued a “hold” rating and a $120.00 target price on the stock. TD Cowen boosted their target price on Walt Disney from $108.00 to $123.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, November 15th. Guggenheim boosted their target price on Walt Disney from $110.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, November 15th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft boosted their target price on Walt Disney from $115.00 to $131.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, November 15th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nineteen have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $125.85.

Walt Disney Company Profile

The Walt Disney Company operates as an entertainment company worldwide. It operates through three segments: Entertainment, Sports, and Experiences. The company produces and distributes film and television video streaming content under the ABC Television Network, Disney, Freeform, FX, Fox, National Geographic, and Star brand television channels, as well as ABC television stations and A+E television networks; and produces original content under the ABC Signature, Disney Branded Television, FX Productions, Lucasfilm, Marvel, National Geographic Studios, Pixar, Searchlight Pictures, Twentieth Century Studios, 20th Television, and Walt Disney Pictures banners.