Disney's shares soared by more than 10% after the company released its latest financial results, beating analyst predictions. The entertainment giant reported adjusted earnings per share of $1.45 for the January to March period, exceeding the expected $1.20. Additionally, revenue rose by 7% to $23.6 billion, with the operating income hitting $4.4 billion, as noted by Reuters.
A significant highlight was Disney's streaming service performance, which saw substantial subscriber growth. Disney+ gained 1.4 million new users, while Hulu added 1.1 million, bringing their combined total to 180.7 million. This uptick in subscriptions helped the streaming division's income skyrocket to $336 million, up from just $47 million last year. Domestic theme parks also performed well, increasing their operating income by 13%, although there was a 23% decline for international parks. Meanwhile, the overall 'Experiences' division, encompassing theme parks and cruise lines, achieved an impressive $2.5 billion in operating income.
Looking forward, Disney has raised its full-year profit forecast despite hurdles like possible tariffs and regulatory challenges. The company has exciting plans on the horizon, including a freshly announced theme park project set for Abu Dhabi through a licensing deal with the developer Miral. These developments underscore Disney's strategic focus on expanding its footprint and leveraging its content successes like "Moana 2" and "Mufasa: The Lion King," as reported by AP News.