Disney Earnings: Parks and Streaming in the Spotlight for Q1 Results

As the Walt Disney Company (DIS) prepares to unveil its fiscal first quarter 2025 financial results, investors and analysts are eagerly awaiting insights into the performance of its theme parks and streaming services. The entertainment giant is set to report earnings before the market opens on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, with a live audio Q&A webcast scheduled for 8:30 a.m. ET.



Analysts expect Disney to report first-quarter revenue of $24.6 billion, up from $23.6 billion in last year's first quarter, and earnings per share of $1.45, up from $1.22 in the same period last year. The company has a strong track record of beating analyst estimates, having done so for revenue in two straight quarters and five of the past 10 quarters, as well as for earnings per share in six straight quarters and eight of the past 10 quarters overall.

Goldman Sachs analyst Michael Ng sees sports, direct-to-consumer, and experiences as the key items to watch in Disney's first-quarter financial results. The analyst expects the company's Experiences and Sports EBIT figures to be higher than analyst estimates, driven by strong performance in its theme parks and sports streaming services. Ng also anticipates that the box office performance of "Moana 2" and "Mufasa: The Lion King" could help boost content sales and licensing EBIT in the quarter.



For direct-to-consumer, Ng forecasts flat Disney+ core net adds, which is higher than the consensus estimate of a decline of 1.0 million. The analyst believes that investor sentiment on the theme parks demand recovery and growth outlooks is helping boost the shares. However, the ESPN DTC launch still has question marks regarding pricing and early promotion, which could be a key item discussed by the company on future earnings calls.

As Disney continues to invest in its streaming services, analysts are closely watching the company's ability to maintain and grow its subscriber base. With the competitive landscape in the streaming market becoming increasingly crowded, Disney must continue to innovate and differentiate its offerings to remain a leader in the space.

In conclusion, Disney's fiscal first quarter 2025 earnings results will provide valuable insights into the performance of its theme parks and streaming services. With analysts expecting strong results and the company's history of beating estimates, investors should be optimistic about the company's prospects for the remainder of the year. As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, Disney's ability to adapt and innovate will be crucial to its long-term success.