Walt Disney (NYSE:DIS) Given New $130.00 Price Target at Morgan Stanley

Walt Disney (NYSE:DIS - Free Report) had its price target boosted by Morgan Stanley from $125.00 to $130.00 in a report published on Thursday,Benzinga reports. They currently have an overweight rating on the entertainment giant's stock.

Other equities analysts have also issued reports about the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price objective on shares of Walt Disney from $137.00 to $139.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their target price on shares of Walt Disney from $115.00 to $131.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, November 15th. TD Cowen raised their price objective on shares of Walt Disney from $108.00 to $123.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, November 15th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on Walt Disney from $116.00 to $138.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Friday, November 15th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on shares of Walt Disney in a research report on Wednesday, December 4th. They set a "hold" rating and a $120.00 target price on the stock. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nineteen have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $125.85.

Walt Disney Stock Performance

Shares of DIS traded up $1.61 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $112.15. 12,467,942 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 8,550,818. The business's fifty day simple moving average is $112.11 and its 200-day simple moving average is $100.99. Walt Disney has a 52-week low of $83.91 and a 52-week high of $123.74. The stock has a market capitalization of $202.82 billion, a PE ratio of 41.38, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.02 and a beta of 1.42. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a current ratio of 0.73 and a quick ratio of 0.67.

Walt Disney (NYSE:DIS - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 5th. The entertainment giant reported $1.76 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.44 by $0.32. Walt Disney had a net margin of 5.44% and a return on equity of 9.21%. On average, equities research analysts expect that Walt Disney will post 5.41 earnings per share for the current 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. This represents a yield of 0.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 16th. This is an increase from Walt Disney's previous semi-annual dividend of $0.45. Walt Disney's payout ratio is 36.90%.

Insider Transactions at Walt Disney

In related news, EVP Brent Woodford sold 5,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $113.62, for a total transaction of $568,100.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 44,055 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $5,005,529.10. This represents a 10.19 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CEO Robert A. Iger sold 372,412 shares of the stock in a transaction dated 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 sale, the chief executive officer now owns 226,767 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $25,980,695.19. This trade represents a 62.15 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 385,412 shares of company stock worth $44,153,263 in the last three months. 0.16% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Walt Disney

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in DIS. Farmers Trust Co. boosted its holdings in Walt Disney by 1.1% in the fourth quarter. Farmers Trust Co. now owns 8,483 shares of the entertainment giant's stock valued at $945,000 after purchasing an additional 92 shares during the last quarter. Pathway Financial Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Walt Disney by 2.7% in the 4th quarter. Pathway Financial Advisors LLC now owns 3,471 shares of the entertainment giant's stock valued at $386,000 after purchasing an additional 92 shares in the last quarter. Prossimo Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Walt Disney by 1.1% during the 4th quarter. Prossimo Advisors LLC now owns 8,732 shares of the entertainment giant's stock valued at $972,000 after buying an additional 92 shares during the last quarter. Saxon Interests Inc. grew its position in shares of Walt Disney by 2.8% during the fourth quarter. Saxon Interests Inc. now owns 3,412 shares of the entertainment giant's stock worth $380,000 after buying an additional 93 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Onefund LLC increased its stake in shares of Walt Disney by 2.0% in the fourth quarter. Onefund LLC now owns 4,856 shares of the entertainment giant's stock worth $541,000 after buying an additional 93 shares during the last quarter. 65.71% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Walt Disney Company Profile

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.