The Walt Disney Co (DIS) Q2 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Strong Financial Performance and ...

GuruFocus News

Thu, May 8, 2025, 1:15 AM 4 min read

The Walt Disney Co (NYSE:DIS) announced a new Disney Theme Park in Abu Dhabi, expanding its global presence and reaching new audiences.
The company's Experiences segment delivered strong results, with returns on invested capital at all-time highs.
Adjusted EPS for Q2 2025 increased by 20% from the prior year, indicating strong financial performance.
The Entertainment business, including movies and sports, continues to generate strong growth, with Marvel's Thunderbolts being the number one movie globally.
ESPN's Q2 prime time audience among the key 18 to 49 demographic was up 32%, marking its most-watched Q2 in prime time ever.

Negative Points

The streaming business faces challenges with new entrants impacting advertising supply, despite strong demand.
International visitation to domestic parks has not returned to pre-COVID levels, affecting overall attendance.
Per capita spending in China is lower due to economic challenges, impacting the international segment.
The company acknowledges that producing too much content for streaming platforms has affected quality, particularly in the Marvel segment.
The direct-to-consumer segment, including Disney+, faces competition and requires strategic bundling to drive growth.

Q & A Highlights

Warning! GuruFocus has detected 3 Warning Sign with DIS.

Q: Bob, can you discuss the impact of integrating Hulu and sports content into Disney+ on engagement and churn? Also, is the three-year guidance for double-digit earnings growth still in place? A: The integration of Hulu and sports content into Disney+ has positively impacted engagement and reduced churn significantly. We aim to turn streaming into a growth business by further integrating Disney+ and Hulu, launching ESPN direct-to-consumer, and investing in technology and content. The long-term guidance for double-digit earnings growth remains intact.

Q: Can you elaborate on the decision to build a Disney Theme Park in Abu Dhabi and the expected audience? Also, what contributed to the margin improvement in domestic parks? A: We chose Abu Dhabi due to its strategic location, infrastructure, and partnership with Miral Group. The region's accessibility to millions of income-qualified visitors was a key factor. The margin improvement in domestic parks was due to a combination of factors, including cruise mix and underlying park performance.

Q: Could you share more about the upcoming theatrical slate and Marvel's role in Disney's strategy? A: We have a strong upcoming slate, including live-action Lilo & Stitch, Pixar's Elio, and Marvel's The Fantastic Four. Marvel remains a significant driver, and by focusing more on films, we expect better quality and success, as seen with Thunderbolts.

Q: What are your expectations for the advertising market, and how is the Abu Dhabi park structured financially? A: The advertising market is healthy, with strong demand in live sports and robust upfront interest. The Abu Dhabi park is structured as a license arrangement, with Disney receiving royalties and providing design and operational oversight.

Q: How will ESPN's direct-to-consumer offering differ from linear ESPN, and what features will it include? A: ESPN's direct-to-consumer service will offer additional features like betting and fantasy, differentiating it from linear ESPN. Subscribers will have a seamless experience across Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN, with integrated features enhancing the user experience.

Q: Can you provide an update on the demand environment for the Experiences segment and expectations for fiscal '26? A: The demand for Experiences remains strong, with bookings up for Walt Disney World. While international demand, particularly in China, faces challenges, domestic performance is robust. We expect high single-digit growth for fiscal '25, with guidance for '26 to be provided later.

Q: What are the key learnings from the Disney Treasure cruise launch, and how is international visitation to domestic parks? A: The Disney Treasure cruise has been well-received, with high ratings due to enhanced Disney IP integration. International visitation to domestic parks hasn't returned to pre-COVID levels but remains in double digits, with domestic attendance compensating for any shortfall.

Q: Are there plans for further expansion of Disney parks globally, and how will streaming operating leverage be achieved? A: While no immediate plans exist for an eighth park location, we continue to invest in existing parks and cruise ships. Streaming operating leverage will come from revenue growth and cost reductions, including G&A savings and marketing efficiencies.

Q: How will the $30 billion expansion in Florida and California impact park capacity and returns? A: The expansion aims to enhance guest experience and increase capacity without compromising quality. The return on invested capital in the Experiences segment is at record levels, and we expect continued stellar returns from these investments.

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

Terms and Privacy Policy

Your Privacy Choices

Utah Privacy Notice

More Info