Traders Purchase High Volume of Call Options on Walt Disney (NYSE:DIS)

The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) was the target of some unusual options trading activity on Friday. Stock traders bought 51,956 call options on the stock. This represents an increase of 44% compared to the average volume of 36,121 call options.

Walt Disney Trading Up 3.1%

Shares of NYSE:DIS traded up $2.86 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $95.69. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 4,643,472 shares, compared to its average volume of 10,501,363. The firm has a market cap of $166.16 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.30, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.21 and a beta of 1.39. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $99.87 and a 200 day moving average price of $102.96. Walt Disney has a 1 year low of $92.18 and a 1 year high of $122.45. The company has a quick ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 0.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33.

Walt Disney (NYSE:DIS) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 6th. The entertainment giant reported $1.57 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.49 by $0.08. The firm had revenue of $25.17 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $24.87 billion. Walt Disney had a return on equity of 8.92% and a net margin of 11.54%.The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 6.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.45 EPS. Walt Disney has set its FY 2026 guidance at 6.640-6.640 EPS. Research analysts forecast that Walt Disney will post 6.85 EPS for the current year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on DIS shares. Needham & Company LLC reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $125.00 target price on shares of Walt Disney in a research note on Friday, June 12th. Barclays dropped their price target on Walt Disney from $135.00 to $110.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, July 14th. UBS Group reduced their price objective on Walt Disney from $138.00 to $133.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday. Wolfe Research set a $131.00 price objective on Walt Disney in a research note on Tuesday, June 30th. Finally, Phillip Securities raised shares of Walt Disney from a “moderate buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Monday, May 11th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have assigned a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $129.00.

More Walt Disney News

Here are the key news stories impacting Walt Disney this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Wall Street analysts are turning more optimistic on Disney, which can support the stock if brokers raise targets or reiterate buy ratings. Is Disney (DIS) a Buy as Wall Street Analysts Look Optimistic?
• Positive Sentiment: Disney is expanding revenue opportunities in its parks, resorts and cruises through a new Kraft Heinz partnership, giving visitors more branded products to buy on-site and potentially boosting per-guest spending. Disney stock gets new theme park sales boost from Kraft Heinz deal
• Neutral Sentiment: Disney is promoting new content for Disney+, including the “Disney Worldbuilders” documentary and a D23 sweepstakes, which may help engagement but is not a major near-term earnings driver. Disney Worldbuilders Documentary Set to Premiere on Disney+
• Neutral Sentiment: Several entertainment and nostalgia-focused stories about Disney surfaced, but they appear unlikely to materially affect the stock on their own. 1940 Disney Classic Reimagined with Freddy Krueger Actor in Lead Role
• Negative Sentiment: Disney reportedly cut hundreds of jobs, including in Pixar, ESPN and National Geographic, reinforcing concerns about restructuring costs and pressure across parts of the media business. Disney reportedly lays off hundreds of employees, Pixar hit hard despite blockbuster success
• Negative Sentiment: Recent trading weakness and a move closer to the 52-week low suggest investors are still worried about Disney’s near-term momentum despite the latest bounce. Walt Disney (DIS) Registers a Bigger Fall Than the Market: Important Facts to Note

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Walt Disney

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Franklin Resources Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Walt Disney by 29.2% in the 4th quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 8,522,860 shares of the entertainment giant’s stock worth $969,646,000 after purchasing an additional 1,924,200 shares during the period. Aviva PLC raised its holdings in Walt Disney by 5.5% in the fourth quarter. Aviva PLC now owns 1,516,177 shares of the entertainment giant’s stock valued at $172,495,000 after buying an additional 78,914 shares during the period. World Investment Advisors raised its holdings in Walt Disney by 18.8% in the fourth quarter. World Investment Advisors now owns 96,476 shares of the entertainment giant’s stock valued at $10,976,000 after buying an additional 15,243 shares during the period. Xponance LLC lifted its position in Walt Disney by 7.5% during the fourth quarter. Xponance LLC now owns 291,158 shares of the entertainment giant’s stock valued at $33,125,000 after buying an additional 20,266 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Patriot Financial Group Insurance Agency LLC lifted its position in Walt Disney by 218.3% during the first quarter. Patriot Financial Group Insurance Agency LLC now owns 50,676 shares of the entertainment giant’s stock valued at $4,884,000 after buying an additional 34,753 shares in the last quarter. 65.71% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Walt Disney Company Profile

The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS), commonly known as Disney, is a diversified global entertainment and media conglomerate headquartered in Burbank, California. Founded in 1923 by Walt and Roy O. Disney, the company grew from an animation studio into a multi‑national entertainment enterprise known for iconic intellectual property and family‑oriented storytelling. Disney’s operations span film and television production, streaming services, theme parks and resorts, consumer products, and live entertainment.

On the content side, Disney produces and distributes feature films and television programming through a portfolio of studios and labels that includes Walt Disney Pictures, Pixar, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm and 20th Century Studios, along with broadcast and cable networks such as ABC, FX and National Geographic.