Walt Disney Target of Unusually Large Options Trading (NYSE:DIS)

The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) was the target of unusually large options trading activity on Thursday. Traders bought 75,157 call options on the company. This is an increase of 32% compared to the typical daily volume of 57,134 call options.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Walt Disney

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Copeland Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Walt Disney during the 3rd quarter valued at about $25,000. DiNuzzo Private Wealth Inc. boosted its stake in Walt Disney by 82.5% in the second quarter. DiNuzzo Private Wealth Inc. now owns 208 shares of the entertainment giant’s stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 94 shares during the period. Strengthening Families & Communities LLC bought a new position in shares of Walt Disney during the third quarter valued at approximately $29,000. JPL Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Walt Disney during the third quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Finally, Pilgrim Partners Asia Pte Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Walt Disney during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $33,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 65.71% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on DIS shares. Needham & Company LLC reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $125.00 price target on shares of Walt Disney in a report on Thursday, November 13th. Cowen reissued a “hold” rating on shares of Walt Disney in a research report on Friday, November 14th. Wall Street Zen lowered Walt Disney from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, October 3rd. Evercore ISI boosted their price target on Walt Disney from $140.00 to $142.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, November 14th. Finally, Citigroup reissued a “positive” rating on shares of Walt Disney in a report on Friday, November 14th. Eighteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $134.41.

Walt Disney Stock Performance

Shares of DIS stock opened at $111.52 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $199.10 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.26, a PEG ratio of 1.54 and a beta of 1.49. Walt Disney has a one year low of $80.10 and a one year high of $124.69. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $109.24 and its 200-day simple moving average is $114.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a current ratio of 0.71.

Walt Disney (NYSE:DIS) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 13th. The entertainment giant reported $1.11 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.03 by $0.08. Walt Disney had a return on equity of 9.37% and a net margin of 13.14%.The firm had revenue of $22.46 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $22.78 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.14 earnings per share. Walt Disney’s revenue for the quarter was down .5% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts anticipate that Walt Disney will post 5.47 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Walt Disney Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 22nd. Investors of record on Tuesday, June 30th will be paid a dividend of $0.75 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, June 30th. This represents a yield of 139.0%. Walt Disney’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 21.87%.

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.