The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) Stock Holdings Lessened by Earnest Partners LLC

Earnest Partners LLC lowered its stake in The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) by 50.6% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 68,342 shares of the entertainment giant’s stock after selling 69,973 shares during the period. Earnest Partners LLC’s holdings in Walt Disney were worth $8,362,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Norges Bank purchased a new position in Walt Disney during the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,938,647,000. Jennison Associates LLC purchased a new position in Walt Disney during the 1st quarter worth approximately $1,490,492,000. Capital World Investors grew its position in Walt Disney by 3,332.4% during the 1st quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 6,267,593 shares of the entertainment giant’s stock worth $766,903,000 after purchasing an additional 6,084,993 shares in the last quarter. ValueAct Holdings L.P. purchased a new position in Walt Disney during the 4th quarter worth approximately $459,245,000. Finally, Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board purchased a new position in Walt Disney during the 1st quarter worth approximately $425,567,000. Institutional investors own 65.71% of the company’s stock.

Walt Disney Stock Performance

Shares of DIS traded up $2.21 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $92.14. 12,678,068 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 11,337,137. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $99.38 and its 200 day moving average is $105.37. The stock has a market cap of $167.97 billion, a P/E ratio of 99.45, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.12 and a beta of 1.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38, a quick ratio of 0.69 and a current ratio of 0.75. The Walt Disney Company has a 1-year low of $78.73 and a 1-year high of $123.74.

Walt Disney (NYSE:DIS) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 7th. The entertainment giant reported $1.21 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.12 by $0.09. Walt Disney had a net margin of 1.90% and a return on equity of 8.37%. The business had revenue of $22.08 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $22.12 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.93 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts anticipate that The Walt Disney Company will post 4.75 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have recently commented on DIS. Loop Capital boosted their price target on shares of Walt Disney from $113.00 to $140.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, May 6th. Barclays lowered their price target on shares of Walt Disney from $135.00 to $130.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, May 8th. Argus boosted their price target on shares of Walt Disney from $125.00 to $140.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, April 10th. Macquarie boosted their price target on shares of Walt Disney from $104.00 to $107.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Monday, May 13th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. began coverage on shares of Walt Disney in a report on Thursday, April 11th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $140.00 price target on the stock. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twenty-three have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $128.54.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, EVP Sonia L. Coleman sold 4,400 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $106.00, for a total value of $466,400.00. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, EVP Sonia L. Coleman sold 4,400 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $106.00, for a total value of $466,400.00. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director James P. Gorman acquired 20,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 8th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $106.03 per share, for a total transaction of $2,120,600.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now directly owns 20,467 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,170,116.01. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Company insiders own 0.10% of the company’s stock.

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.