Smithfield Trust Co Has $1.94 Million Stock Position in The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS)

Smithfield Trust Co lessened its holdings in The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) by 7.0% during the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 17,541 shares of the entertainment giant’s stock after selling 1,328 shares during the quarter. Smithfield Trust Co’s holdings in Walt Disney were worth $1,944,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of DIS. FPC Investment Advisory Inc. acquired a new stake in Walt Disney in the fourth quarter valued at about $28,000. Tacita Capital Inc lifted its holdings in shares of Walt Disney by 93.2% in the fourth quarter. Tacita Capital Inc now owns 257 shares of the entertainment giant’s stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 124 shares during the last quarter. Midwest Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Walt Disney in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Bay Harbor Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Walt Disney during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Finally, Hager Investment Management Services LLC acquired a new position in Walt Disney during the 4th quarter worth approximately $43,000. Institutional investors own 65.71% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have weighed in on DIS. Redburn Atlantic upgraded shares of Walt Disney from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and raised their target price for the company from $100.00 to $147.00 in a research report on Tuesday, January 7th. Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on Walt Disney in a report on Wednesday, December 4th. They set a “hold” rating and a $120.00 price objective on the stock. Loop Capital upped their target price on Walt Disney from $125.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday. Rosenblatt Securities reissued a “buy” rating and set a $135.00 price target on shares of Walt Disney in a research note on Monday, February 10th. Finally, Prescient Securities reduced their price target on Walt Disney from $130.00 to $115.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. Six 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’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $125.64.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Brent Woodford sold 8,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $114.74, for a total transaction of $917,920.00. Following 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 filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.16% of the company’s stock.

Walt Disney Stock Down 3.5 %

Shares of Walt Disney stock opened at $108.87 on Wednesday. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $110.63 and its 200 day moving average is $103.80. The Walt Disney Company has a one year low of $83.91 and a one year high of $123.74. The firm has a market cap of $196.81 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.46, a PEG 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.

Walt Disney (NYSE:DIS) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The entertainment giant reported $1.76 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping 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%. Equities research analysts anticipate that The Walt Disney Company will post 5.47 EPS for the current year.

Walt Disney Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 23rd. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, June 24th will be 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 of this dividend is Tuesday, June 24th. Walt Disney’s payout ratio is 32.57%.

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.