Disney posts better-than-expected quarterly results, driven by theme parks

2026-02-02 - 14:06

The Walt Disney World entrance in Kissimmee, Florida. Domestic parks posted 8% operating income growth in the quarter ended Dec 31. (EPA Images pic) NEW YORK: The Walt Disney Company reported quarterly earnings Monday that showed streaming services gaining momentum and theme parks revenue hitting record levels. Net profit reached US$2.48 billion, down 6 percent year-on-year, according to a statement, with the Experiences division — Disney’s theme parks and resorts — delivering record quarterly revenue of US$10.0 billion. Domestic parks showed 8 percent operating income growth for the quarter that ended Dec 31, with attendance up one percent and per capita spending up 4 percent. Operating income for the company’s Disney+ and Hulu streaming services grew 72 percent from the same quarter a year ago to US$450 million, well above expectations. However, the Entertainment segment overall saw operating income plunge 35 percent to US$1.1 billion, as higher programming and marketing costs more than offset revenue gains from theatrical releases including “Zootopia 2” and “Avatar: Fire and Ash.” Shares in Disney were up by three percent in pre-session trading. “We are pleased with the start to our fiscal year, and our achievements reflect the tremendous progress we’ve made,” said CEO Bob Iger in the statement.