The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) Shares Purchased by Smartleaf Asset Management LLC

Smartleaf Asset Management LLC grew its stake in shares of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) by 28.2% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 16,362 shares of the entertainment giant’s stock after acquiring an additional 3,603 shares during the quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC’s holdings in Walt Disney were worth $1,813,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Bridges Investment Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Walt Disney by 54.6% during the fourth quarter. Bridges Investment Management Inc. now owns 24,682 shares of the entertainment giant’s stock valued at $2,748,000 after acquiring an additional 8,715 shares in the last quarter. Maia Wealth LLC increased its holdings in Walt Disney by 20.7% in the 4th quarter. Maia Wealth LLC now owns 18,468 shares of the entertainment giant’s stock worth $2,093,000 after buying an additional 3,162 shares during the period. Cape Investment Advisory Inc. increased its holdings in Walt Disney by 18.6% in the 4th quarter. Cape Investment Advisory Inc. now owns 14,467 shares of the entertainment giant’s stock worth $1,611,000 after buying an additional 2,272 shares during the period. Hickory Point Bank & Trust acquired a new position in Walt Disney in the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,162,000. Finally, PCG Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in Walt Disney in the 4th quarter worth approximately $751,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 65.71% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity at Walt Disney

In related news, EVP Brent Woodford sold 8,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $114.74, for a total value of $917,920.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 44,055 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,054,870.70. This represents a 15.37 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.16% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Walt Disney Trading Up 2.3 %

Shares of NYSE:DIS opened at $113.82 on Monday. The Walt Disney Company has a 1 year low of $83.91 and a 1 year high of $123.74. The firm has a market capitalization of $205.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.80 and a beta of 1.42. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a current ratio of 0.68 and a quick ratio of 0.62. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $110.68 and its 200-day moving average price is $103.48.

Walt Disney (NYSE:DIS) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The entertainment giant reported $1.76 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.44 by $0.32. Walt Disney had a return on equity of 9.95% and a net margin of 6.07%. On average, equities research analysts forecast that The Walt Disney Company will post 5.47 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Walt Disney Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 16th. Investors of record on Monday, December 16th were paid a $0.50 dividend. This is an increase from Walt Disney’s previous semi-annual dividend of $0.45. This represents a yield of 0.6%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 16th. Walt Disney’s dividend payout ratio is currently 32.57%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group assumed coverage on shares of Walt Disney in a report on Wednesday, December 4th. They issued a “hold” rating and a $120.00 price target on the stock. Citigroup reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $125.00 price target on shares of Walt Disney in a report on Wednesday, January 22nd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their price target on shares of Walt Disney from $115.00 to $131.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, November 15th. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price target on shares of Walt Disney from $137.00 to $139.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. Finally, Needham & Company LLC reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $130.00 price target on shares of Walt Disney in a report on Wednesday, February 5th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eighteen have issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $125.44.

About Walt Disney

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.