Disney is set to report its fourth-quarter fiscal earnings on Thursday morning, with Wall Street closely watching for insights on its streaming and theme park divisions, as well as any updates on the search for CEO Bob Iger’s successor, CNBC reports.
Analysts polled by LSEG expect Disney to report earnings per share of $1.10 and revenue of $22.45 billion. Following the release, executives will host a conference call at 8:30 a.m. ET to discuss the results and take questions from investors and analysts.
Disney’s streaming business, which includes Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+, will be a focal point for investors. The streaming unit turned profitable for the first time last quarter, marking a significant milestone as the company aims to achieve sustained profitability in this segment. Wall Street is especially interested in Disney’s subscriber growth, as major competitors like Warner Bros. Discovery’s Max, Netflix, and Comcast’s Peacock have all reported strong subscriber gains in recent quarters.
“In the wake of huge subscriber gains at Max but deceleration at Netflix, all eyes are on Disney’s streaming numbers… The company is sure to experience a bump due to its password-sharing crackdown, but that will be short-lived,” said Mike Proulx, research director and vice president at Forrester.
Disney’s streaming strategy is likely to echo broader industry trends, focusing on ad-supported tiers and potential measures to curb password sharing—initiatives that have proven effective for other major media companies.
Disney’s theme park performance, particularly in the US, will also be closely monitored. Last quarter, the company reported flat attendance figures at its domestic parks, amid a broader industry slowdown in consumer demand for theme park experiences. Investors are keen to see if these numbers have improved as Disney adjusts pricing strategies and implements new features to draw crowds.
While the parks division has traditionally been a strong revenue driver, maintaining robust visitor numbers remains crucial for Disney as it seeks to balance demand with profitability in a softer consumer environment.
Another critical update that investors are awaiting is Disney’s ongoing CEO succession plan. Earlier this month, Disney announced it plans to name a successor to CEO Bob Iger by early 2026. The search process will be led by incoming chairman of the board, James Gorman, and any additional details on the selection timeline or criteria will likely be closely scrutinized. Iger, who returned as CEO in 2022 after initially stepping down, has been tasked with steering Disney through challenging market conditions and positioning the company for a sustainable future.
Iger’s leadership has been instrumental in Disney’s strategic shifts, but identifying his successor will be essential for ensuring continuity in Disney’s vision as it adapts to a rapidly changing media landscape.
With expected earnings of $1.10 per share on revenue of $22.45 billion, Disney’s report will be a gauge of the company’s adaptability in the face of shifting consumer and market dynamics. As Disney continues to expand its digital footprint and refine its core business lines, Wall Street will be listening closely for signs of growth and long-term profitability, especially in streaming and theme parks.
