Stonebridge Financial Group LLC Takes Position in The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS)

Stonebridge Financial Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 690 shares of the entertainment giant’s stock, valued at approximately $77,000.

Several other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in DIS. Essex Financial Services Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Walt Disney by 2.0% in the fourth quarter. Essex Financial Services Inc. now owns 28,721 shares of the entertainment giant’s stock worth $3,198,000 after buying an additional 566 shares in the last quarter. First Fiduciary Investment Counsel Inc. increased its holdings in Walt Disney by 5.5% during the 4th quarter. First Fiduciary Investment Counsel Inc. now owns 92,457 shares of the entertainment giant’s stock worth $10,295,000 after acquiring an additional 4,790 shares during the period. Sapient Capital LLC lifted its stake in Walt Disney by 1.3% in the 4th quarter. Sapient Capital LLC now owns 220,465 shares of the entertainment giant’s stock worth $24,658,000 after purchasing an additional 2,911 shares in the last quarter. Equitable Trust Co. boosted its holdings in Walt Disney by 16.8% in the 4th quarter. Equitable Trust Co. now owns 10,483 shares of the entertainment giant’s stock valued at $1,167,000 after purchasing an additional 1,511 shares during the period. Finally, Bristlecone Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Walt Disney by 0.5% during the 4th quarter. Bristlecone Advisors LLC now owns 42,656 shares of the entertainment giant’s stock valued at $4,750,000 after purchasing an additional 194 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 65.71% of the company’s stock.

Walt Disney Stock Up 0.2 %

Shares of Walt Disney stock opened at $109.25 on Thursday. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $111.56 and its 200-day moving average price is $101.53. The Walt Disney Company has a 52-week low of $83.91 and a 52-week high of $123.74. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a current ratio of 0.68. The stock has a market capitalization of $197.50 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.59, a P/E/G ratio of 1.95 and a beta of 1.42.

Walt Disney (NYSE:DIS) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 5th. The entertainment giant reported $1.76 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.44 by $0.32. Walt Disney had a net margin of 6.07% and a return on equity of 9.95%. Equities research analysts forecast that The Walt Disney Company will post 5.43 EPS for the current year.

Walt Disney Increases Dividend

The firm 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. This is a positive change from Walt Disney’s previous semi-annual dividend of $0.45. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 16th. This represents a yield of 0.6%. Walt Disney’s dividend payout ratio is presently 32.57%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Walt Disney news, CEO Robert A. Iger sold 372,412 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Friday, November 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $114.57, for a total value of $42,667,242.84. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 226,767 shares in the company, valued at approximately $25,980,695.19. This represents a 62.15 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP Brent Woodford sold 8,000 shares of Walt Disney stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $114.74, for a total transaction of $917,920.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 44,055 shares in the company, valued at $5,054,870.70. The trade was a 15.37 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 385,412 shares of company stock worth $44,153,263. 0.16% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on DIS. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on Walt Disney from $137.00 to $139.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 4th. Needham & Company LLC reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $130.00 price target on shares of Walt Disney in a report on Wednesday, February 5th. Loop Capital boosted their price objective on Walt Disney from $120.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, November 15th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their target price on shares of Walt Disney from $115.00 to $131.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, November 15th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on shares of Walt Disney in a research note on Wednesday, December 4th. They issued a “hold” rating and a $120.00 price target for the company. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nineteen have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $125.85.

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.