Graypoint LLC Decreases Stock Position in The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS)

Graypoint LLC trimmed its position in The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) by 6.3% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 24,189 shares of the entertainment giant’s stock after selling 1,621 shares during the quarter. Graypoint LLC’s holdings in Walt Disney were worth $2,693,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in DIS. Acadian Asset Management LLC increased its stake in Walt Disney by 132.1% during the second quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 50,978 shares of the entertainment giant’s stock worth $5,060,000 after acquiring an additional 29,010 shares during the last quarter. Quest Partners LLC raised its holdings in Walt Disney by 36,460.0% during the 2nd quarter. Quest Partners LLC now owns 3,656 shares of the entertainment giant’s stock valued at $363,000 after buying an additional 3,646 shares during the period. Andra AP fonden bought a new stake in Walt Disney in the second quarter worth $2,730,000. Qsemble Capital Management LP purchased a new position in Walt Disney during the second quarter worth $5,169,000. Finally, Jupiter Asset Management Ltd. bought a new position in Walt Disney during the second quarter valued at $15,367,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 65.71% of the company’s stock.

Walt Disney Price Performance

DIS stock traded down $1.08 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $108.68. 8,499,901 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 6,904,775. The company has a market cap of $196.81 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 40.10, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.05 and a beta of 1.43. The Walt Disney Company has a 12-month low of $83.91 and a 12-month high of $123.74. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $110.85 and its 200 day moving average is $99.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a current ratio of 0.73 and a quick ratio of 0.67.

Walt Disney (NYSE:DIS) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 14th. The entertainment giant reported $1.14 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.09 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $22.57 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $22.49 billion. Walt Disney had a return on equity of 9.21% and a net margin of 5.44%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 6.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.82 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that The Walt Disney Company will post 5.41 EPS for the current year.

Walt Disney Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 16th. Investors of record on Monday, December 16th will be issued a $0.50 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 16th. This represents a dividend yield of 0.6%. This is a positive change from Walt Disney’s previous semi-annual dividend of $0.45. Walt Disney’s dividend payout ratio is currently 36.90%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, 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 completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 226,767 shares in the company, valued at approximately $25,980,695.19. The trade was a 62.15 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Brent Woodford sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $113.62, for a total transaction of $568,100.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 44,055 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,005,529.10. This trade represents a 10.19 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 385,412 shares of company stock valued at $44,153,263 over the last ninety days. Company insiders own 0.10% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages recently commented on DIS. Macquarie reiterated a “neutral” rating and set a $110.00 price target on shares of Walt Disney in a report on Monday. Rosenblatt Securities raised their price target on Walt Disney from $122.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, December 16th. Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on Walt Disney in a research report on Wednesday, December 4th. They issued a “hold” rating and a $120.00 price objective on the stock. Redburn Atlantic upgraded shares of Walt Disney from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and upped their target price for the stock from $100.00 to $147.00 in a research note on Tuesday. Finally, Seaport Res Ptn upgraded Walt Disney from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Monday, September 30th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nineteen have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $125.54.

Walt Disney 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.