The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) Stake Increased by Handelsbanken Fonder AB

Handelsbanken Fonder AB increased its holdings in shares of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) by 3.8% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 644,562 shares of the entertainment giant’s stock after buying an additional 23,677 shares during the quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB’s holdings in Walt Disney were worth $71,772,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. WealthBridge Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in Walt Disney during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $220,000. WealthCare Investment Partners LLC increased its position in Walt Disney by 4.1% in the 4th quarter. WealthCare Investment Partners LLC now owns 2,460 shares of the entertainment giant’s stock worth $273,000 after purchasing an additional 97 shares during the last quarter. Sunpointe LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Walt Disney by 6.5% during the 4th quarter. Sunpointe LLC now owns 5,073 shares of the entertainment giant’s stock valued at $567,000 after buying an additional 309 shares during the last quarter. Corps Capital Advisors LLC bought a new position in Walt Disney during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $295,000. Finally, Private Wealth Partners LLC raised its holdings in shares of Walt Disney by 4.0% during the 4th quarter. Private Wealth Partners LLC now owns 104,316 shares of the entertainment giant’s stock valued at $11,616,000 after purchasing an additional 4,057 shares in the last quarter. 65.71% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Transactions at Walt Disney

In related news, CEO Robert A. Iger sold 372,412 shares of Walt Disney stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $114.57, for a total value of $42,667,242.84. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 226,767 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $25,980,695.19. The trade was a 62.15 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP Brent Woodford sold 8,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 11th. The shares were 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 owns 44,055 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,054,870.70. This represents a 15.37 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.16% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on DIS shares. Citigroup restated a “buy” rating and issued a $125.00 target price on shares of Walt Disney in a report on Wednesday, January 22nd. Bank of America lifted their price objective on Walt Disney from $120.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, November 15th. Prescient Securities reduced their price objective on Walt Disney from $130.00 to $115.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, February 4th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price objective 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, TD Cowen boosted their price target on Walt Disney from $108.00 to $123.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, November 15th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nineteen have assigned a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $125.85.

Walt Disney Trading Up 1.6 %

NYSE DIS opened at $111.28 on Thursday. 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 stock’s 50-day moving average is $110.88 and its 200-day moving average is $102.29. 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 $201.17 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.25, a P/E/G ratio of 1.79 and a beta of 1.42.

Walt Disney (NYSE:DIS) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 5th. The entertainment giant reported $1.76 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.44 by $0.32. Walt Disney had a net margin of 6.07% and a return on equity of 9.95%. Sell-side analysts anticipate 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 declared a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 16th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 16th were given a dividend of $0.50 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 16th. This represents a yield of 0.6%. This is an increase from Walt Disney’s previous semi-annual dividend of $0.45. Walt Disney’s dividend payout ratio is 32.57%.

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.