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. It also offers direct-to-consumer streaming services through Disney+, Disney+ Hotstar, Hulu, and Star+; sports-related entertainment services through ESPN, ESPN on ABC, ESPN+ DTC, and Star; sale/licensing of film and episodic content to third-party television and VOD services; theatrical, home entertainment, and music distribution services; DVD and Blu-ray discs, electronic home video licenses, and VOD rental services; staging and licensing of live entertainment events; and post-production services. In addition, the company operates theme parks and resorts comprising Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, Shanghai Disney Resort, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Vacation Club, National Geographic Expeditions, and Adventures by Disney, as well as Aulani, a Disney resort and spa in Hawaii. It also licenses its intellectual property to a third party for operations of the Tokyo Disney Resort; licenses trade names, characters, visual, literary, and other IP for use on merchandise, published materials, and games; operates a direct-to-home satellite distribution platform; sells branded merchandise through retail, online, and wholesale businesses; and develops and publishes books, comic books, and magazines. The company was founded in 1923 and is based in Burbank, California.

Компания Walt Disney демонстрирует смешанную картину в плане фундаментальных показателей. С одной стороны, P/E и P/B находятся ниже медианы отрасли, что указывает на недооцененность. Однако показатели P/S и P/FCF значительно превышают медианные значения, что может свидетельствовать о переоцененности в этих аспектах. Долговая нагрузка компании относительно низкая по сравнению с отраслью, что является положительным фактором. Тем не менее, текущие и быстрые коэффициенты ниже медианных значений, что вызывает опасения по поводу ликвидности. Дивидендная доходность на уровне 0.68 также положительно влияет на восприятие компании. Прибыль и выручка имеют стабильный рост, однако маржа прибыли и валовая маржа показывают снижение, что может негативно сказаться на будущих доходах. Общая картина указывает на необходимость осторожности в оценке, несмотря на некоторые сильные стороны компании.

Walt Disney Company (The)

Key Points
Despite being the leader in streaming entertainment, Netflix’s expensive valuation can’t be ignored.
In addition to soaring streaming profits, Disney’s lower forward price-to-earnings ratio can be a winning combination.
Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX) shares have skyrocketed 25,740% in the past 20 years (as of March 12). Investors looking to score monster returns might look at this kind of performance and consider buying this streaming stock.
However, Walt Disney (NYSE: DIS), whose shares trade 51% below their peak, has a convincing argument for investment as well. Which of these stocks will make you richer going forward?
Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue »
Netflix dominates, but the valuation reflects this position
With its massive subscriber base of 325 million and 2025 revenue of $45 billion, Netflix is a dominant force in the streaming market. Investors who got in years ago have reaped the rewards.
Now it's time to be critical of the valuation. Shares trade at a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 30, which isn't cheap, especially with the likelihood that growth will decelerate in the future.
Disney shares are cheaper, and streaming profits are soaring
From a valuation perspective, the House of Mouse wins the battle. Investors can buy Disney stock at a forward P/E multiple of 15, representing a 50% haircut to Netflix.
Disney's entertainment streaming segment (including Disney+ and Hulu's streaming operations) has quickly become significantly profitable. Operating income skyrocketed 828% year over year in fiscal 2025 (ended Sept. 27, 2025). The leadership team expects this figure to soar again in fiscal 2026.
Moreover, Disney has a robust experiences segment that provides diversification from a financial perspective.
Investors buying in now who choose Disney shares, instead of Netflix, are positioned to produce a better return over the next five years.
Should you buy stock in Walt Disney right now?
Before you buy stock in Walt Disney, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Walt Disney wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $514,000!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,105,029!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 930% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 187% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of March 15, 2026.
Neil Patel has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Netflix and Walt Disney. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Netflix vs. Walt Disney: Which Stock Will Make You Richer?

Key Points
Bank of America's network continues to expand.
ExxonMobil returned $37.2 billion to shareholders in 2025, increasing its dividend yet again.
Alphabet is a modern blue chip stock, initiatng its dividend in 2024.
Although the stock market has been in "go" mode during the past three years, 2026 is proving to be another story. The threat of rising inflation, a weak jobs market, and war in the Middle East are taking a toll on the market.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 are both in the red so far in March. Just as telling, the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) Volatility Index, commonly known as the fear index, has climbed almost 80% since the beginning of the year.
Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue »
In times like these, it's natural to be concerned, and even to consider taking money out of the stock market in search of safe assets, such as gold or bonds. But I think that's a mistake. First, if you're a long-term investor, you could potentially run up a big tax bill by closing positions where you've had significant gains.
Second, history shows us that the stock market is a consistent winner over time. Although short-term dips are inevitable, the market has historically rebounded and moved higher. Panicking now would deprive you of the opportunity to profit from the recovery.
Instead, I think this is an ideal time to consider some tried-and-true investments. Blue chip stocks are those that have a long history of profitability and stability. These companies are most often market leaders, offer well-known products or services, and are often generous in returning money to shareholders through stock buybacks or dividends.
Here are three ideal choices in today's market that cover three pillars of the economy: Finance, energy, and technology.
The finance pick: Bank of America
North Carolina-based Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) isn't the biggest bank in the U.S. (JPMorgan Chase gets that title), but it's a mammoth banking institution, nonetheless. Bank of America has more than 3,600 banking locations and 15,000 ATMs. Customers are increasingly connecting online, with 25 million active Zelle users who sent and received 474 million transactions in the fourth quarter, up 12% from a year ago.
Bank of America offers consumer, business, and wealth management services, all of which are major revenue drivers. The bank's consumer banking segment generated net income of $3.3 billion and revenue of $11.2 billion in Q4, up 5% from a year ago. Its wealth management segment brought in another $6.6 billion in revenue and net income of $1.4 billion. Its global banking and global markets segments accounted for more than $3.1 billion in revenue.
Bank of America has increased its dividend annually for the past 12 years, and currently provides a yield of 2.3%.
The energy pick: ExxonMobil
Nothing says "blue chip energy stock" like ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM). The integrated oil and gas company has vast operations that include its upstream production, midstream pipelines, and downstream chemical and refining.
The size of ExxonMobil's business means that it can generate huge profits for its shareholders. Cash flow from operations in 2025 was $52 billion, which allowed ExxonMobil to deliver $28.8 billion in earnings. It posted free cash flow of $26.1 billion for the year, while it returned $37.2 billion to shareholders in the form of share repurchases and dividends.
ExxonMobil increased its dividend by 4% in December and has raised its dividend annually for the past 43 years. The payout currently offers a yield of 2.7%.
The technology pick: Alphabet
Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOG) (NASDAQ: GOOGL) only recently became a dividend stock, having declared its first dividend in April 2024. The payout's current yield of 0.3% pales compared to others on this list. But I consider Alphabet a modern blue chip stock, given its enormously popular businesses, its huge revenue and profit streams, its dominant market position, and the company's newfound commitment to dividends.
Alphabet's Chrome browser and Google search engine are market share leaders. According to financial research firm MoffettNathanson, the company's YouTube video platform generated $62 billion in 2025, which moved it past Walt Disney to become the world's largest media company.
Revenue in 2025 was $402.8 billion, up 15% from 2024, and net income of $132.1 billion rose 32% from a year ago. The company's free cash flow in the trailing 12 months is a whopping $73.2 billion.
Alphabet is investing heavily in expanding its Google Cloud computing segment. But its hugely successful advertising business, powered by its internet dominance and YouTube, provides it with significant advantages that will allow it to become an emerging dividend stock that investors can count on for the long term.
Should you buy stock in Bank of America right now?
Before you buy stock in Bank of America, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Bank of America wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $514,000!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,105,029!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 930% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 187% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of March 15, 2026.
Bank of America is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Patrick Sanders has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, JPMorgan Chase, and Walt Disney. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Best 3 Blue-Chip Stocks to Buy After This Month's Market Pullback

Key Points
Procter & Gamble’s product portfolio consists of goods the world buys over and over, usually without a second thought.
Nice may be an AI company, but its risk profile is considerably different than that of most of the industry’s other stocks.
Contrary to common assumptions, Berkshire Hathaway isn’t just a bunch of Buffett-picked stocks. It wholly owns a bunch of privately-held cash cows, too.
Mostly thanks to overvalued AI equities, the market was already struggling to make any forward progress. With the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) making a series of lower highs and lower lows since late January, however, it seems stocks are outright succumbing to worries that the conflict in the Middle East will escalate, threatening the global economy as a result.
The matter isn't quite as black and white as that, though. If you look closely, you'll sense a growing "risk-off" attitude is at work, paired with subtly rekindled interest in safety and certainty.
Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue »
With that as the backdrop, although they've not made major gains just yet, here's a rundown of three safe stocks investors could soon flock to as the prevailing mindset shifts away from risk tolerance to risk aversion.
1. Procter & Gamble
It's such a commonly suggested defensive pick that it's almost become a cliché. Nevertheless, Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG) offers the sort of certainty that could become monumentally important if most everything else continues unraveling.
You've heard of the company, but are you truly aware of how many leading brands are in this consumer staples giant's family of products? Pampers diapers, Tide laundry detergent, Charmin toilet paper, Gillette razors, Dawn dishwashing liquid, and Crest toothpaste are just a small sampling of what's in P&G's portfolio. While Procter must work hard to remain competitive, it's got the advantage of working with many of the best-known brands in several key categories of goods that consumers continue buying regardless of trouble here or abroad.
Yes, this company's fiscal Q2 revenue missed estimates. Although per-share profits of $1.88 were up from the year-ago comparison of $1.78 as well as better than estimates of $1.86 per share, flat revenue of $22.21 billion fell short of the $22.28 billion that analysts were expecting. Investors were caught a bit off guard.
Just don't read too much into last quarter's numbers. As CFO Andre Schulten commented during the earnings conference call, "We've now completed what we fully expect will be the softest quarter of the fiscal year." That's the chief reason PG stock actually rallied immediately following the revenue shortfall.
The recent pullback is mostly just in response to the fresh conflict with Iran. But Procter's household goods are largely unimpacted by this geopolitical tension as it stands right now. This dip simply further de-risks ownership of this name.
2. Nice
Given that it's an artificial intelligence company, it would be easy to assume Nice (NASDAQ: NICE) is one of the names that most investors are looking to avoid now rather than step into. And to be sure, some of this stock's weakness since the middle of last year can be attributed to being in the wrong industry at the wrong time.
If things turn truly troubling for the market, though, investors may finally figure out that this company's business is actually rather resilient.
In simplest terms, Nice provides AI-powered customer service solutions. Its CXOne platform is being used by brands like Visa, Pfizer, American Airlines, Walt Disney, and about 25,000 others, turning a mountain of digital data into a tool that's capable of serving customers and employees alike.
And it's an ideal solution. Technology consulting and industry research outfit Gartner rates Nice's CXOne as the very best option in the contact-center-as-a-service market, while calling Nice's Cognify one of the best in the conversational AI space, alongside Alphabet's Google and above SoundHound AI.
Nice is doing a great job of monetizing this superior solution, too. Last year's revenue of just under $3.0 billion (most of which was recurring revenue) was up 8% year over year, while operating income improved to the tune of 14%, extending long-lived growth trends for both measures. Nice is looking for comparable progress this fiscal year as well. It's a testament to just how much its customers like what it offers, and how willing they are to continue paying for access to this technology once they have it.
This obviously hasn't prevented the stock from easing into a prolonged slump. The market's likely to eventually recognize, however, that this recent weakness is largely the result of broad fatigue of AI stocks in general. Continued growth will fix that soon enough.
3. Berkshire Hathaway
Last but not least, add Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRKA)(NYSE: BRKB) to your list of safe stocks that could soar if the shift away from higher-risk growth names and toward safer options continues to firm up.
The start to the Greg Abel era has been somewhat frustrating -- to Berkshire shareholders as well as Abel himself. While he's only been at the helm as CEO since the beginning of this year and Berkshire Hathaway today is pretty much the same as it was when Warren Buffett stepped down at the end of last year, Berkshire shares continue to lag the broad market. Abel's decision to tap the company's enormous cash hoard to repurchase shares of itself -- while responsible -- doesn't seem to be what most stakeholders were hoping for.
But if safety becomes a must-have for investors' portfolios in the foreseeable future, Berkshire offers it in a big way. And it's got everything to do with what this conglomerate actually is.
See, you may be most familiar with Berkshire Hathaway as a manager of a large portfolio of stocks. That's hardly the whole story, though. Roughly one-third of its current market cap reflects the value of all the privately held businesses it also owns, like insurer Geico, Duracell batteries, Shaw flooring, railroad BNSF, Pilot Travel Centers, and Dairy Queen, just to name a few. Not only do most of these wholly owned cash cows continue contributing cash flow to their parent regardless of the economic environment, since they're not publicly traded, their value (and therefore Berkshire stock's value) isn't inherently undermined by marketwide weakness.
Should you buy stock in Procter & Gamble right now?
Before you buy stock in Procter & Gamble, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Procter & Gamble wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $514,000!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,105,029!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 930% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 187% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
James Brumley has positions in Alphabet and Procter & Gamble. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Berkshire Hathaway, Nice, Pfizer, SoundHound AI, Visa, and Walt Disney. The Motley Fool recommends Gartner. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

The Stock Market May Be Shifting From Risky Tech Stocks to Safer Sectors. Here Are 3 Stocks to Buy Before They Soar.

Looking today at week-over-week shares outstanding changes among the universe of ETFs covered at ETF Channel, one standout is the Invesco Large Cap Value ETF (Symbol: PWV) where we have detected an approximate $289.9 million dollar outflow -- that's a 17.9% decrease week over week (from 23,570,000 to 19,350,000). Among the largest underlying components of PWV, in trading today Walt Disney Co. (Symbol: DIS) is up about 0.8%, Marathon Petroleum Corp. (Symbol: MPC) is up about 0.6%, and eBay Inc. (Symbol: EBAY) is up by about 1.5%. For a complete list of holdings, visit the PWV Holdings page » The chart below shows the one year price performance of PWV, versus its 200 day moving average:
Looking at the chart above, PWV's low point in its 52 week range is $50.82 per share, with $71.39 as the 52 week high point — that compares with a last trade of $69.11. Comparing the most recent share price to the 200 day moving average can also be a useful technical analysis technique -- learn more about the 200 day moving average ».
Free Report: Top 8%+ Dividends (paid monthly)
Exchange traded funds (ETFs) trade just like stocks, but instead of ''shares'' investors are actually buying and selling ''units''. These ''units'' can be traded back and forth just like stocks, but can also be created or destroyed to accommodate investor demand. Each week we monitor the week-over-week change in shares outstanding data, to keep a lookout for those ETFs experiencing notable inflows (many new units created) or outflows (many old units destroyed). Creation of new units will mean the underlying holdings of the ETF need to be purchased, while destruction of units involves selling underlying holdings, so large flows can also impact the individual components held within ETFs.
Also see:
BCSF Insider Buying
Institutional Holders of DFAS
Top Ten Hedge Funds Holding BHC
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

PWV, DIS, MPC, EBAY: Large Outflows Detected at ETF

Key Points
Recent SPAC IPO Angel Studios beat on sales but missed on Q4 earnings last night.
Angel's sales more than tripled year over year, but its losses doubled.
Angel Studios (NYSE: ANGX) stock tumbled 11.2% 9:40 a.m. ET Friday after reporting mixed Q4 earnings.
According to data from TheFly.com, only one Wall Street analyst had published an earnings forecast for Angel Studios, which held a SPAC IPO last September, and has only reported earnings (now) twice since. This analyst expected Angel to report a $0.20 per share loss on $92.6 million in revenue.
Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue »
Angel actually reported $0.46 in losses on sales of $109.9 million -- better sales than expected, but worse earnings.
A short history of Angel Studies
Angel Studios began life as a private company called VidAngel, publishing and selling edited versions of Hollywood blockbusters to remove offensive language and violence. Sued by Disney (NYSE: DIS) and others over copyright, VidAngel went bankrupt in 2020, only to come back as a private, crowd-funded movie producer called Angel Studios -- then parlaying this support into an IPO late last year.
The company today boasts more than 2 million active "paying guild members" -- some of whom also own Angel stock. It's also the company behind movies such as Sound of Freedom and David, as well as the children's series Tuttle Twins.
How is Angel stock doing today?
Angel stock soared immediately after its IPO -- then crashed. After hitting a post-IPO high of $16 a share, the stock has traded in the mid-single digits for most of the past six months. So what are the chances Angel will recover?
The earnings results hold some promise. Q4 revenue soared 254% year over year, and full-year revenue was up 233%. Losses roughly doubled year over year, but Angel says adjusted EBITDA losses will "narrow" in 2026.
That's not a promise of real GAAP profits, though. Until those arrive, Angel stock will remain vulnerable to further declines.
Should you buy stock in Angel Studios right now?
Before you buy stock in Angel Studios, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Angel Studios wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $508,607!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,122,746!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 933% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 188% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of March 13, 2026.
Rich Smith has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Walt Disney. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Why Angel Studios Stock Dropped Today

In the latest trading session, Walt Disney (DIS) closed at $99.43, marking a -1.45% move from the previous day. This move was narrower than the S&P 500's daily loss of 1.52%. Elsewhere, the Dow lost 1.56%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq lost 1.78%.
The entertainment company's stock has dropped by 6.69% in the past month, falling short of the Consumer Discretionary sector's loss of 2.83% and the S&P 500's loss of 2.25%.
Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of Walt Disney in its upcoming earnings disclosure. The company is expected to report EPS of $1.53, up 5.52% from the prior-year quarter. Meanwhile, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenue is projecting net sales of $25.07 billion, up 6.15% from the year-ago period.
In terms of the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates predict earnings of $6.59 per share and a revenue of $101.03 billion, indicating changes of +11.13% and +7%, respectively, from the former year.
Investors should also note any recent changes to analyst estimates for Walt Disney. Such recent modifications usually signify the changing landscape of near-term business trends. With this in mind, we can consider positive estimate revisions a sign of optimism about the business outlook.
Our research shows that these estimate changes are directly correlated with near-term stock prices. To benefit from this, we have developed the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model which takes these estimate changes into account and provides an actionable rating system.
The Zacks Rank system, stretching from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has a noteworthy track record of outperforming, validated by third-party audits, with stocks rated #1 producing an average annual return of +25% since the year 1988. Over the past month, there's been a 0.09% rise in the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. Walt Disney currently has a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).
Digging into valuation, Walt Disney currently has a Forward P/E ratio of 15.3. This indicates a discount in contrast to its industry's Forward P/E of 18.11.
Investors should also note that DIS has a PEG ratio of 1.37 right now. The PEG ratio is akin to the commonly utilized P/E ratio, but this measure also incorporates the company's anticipated earnings growth rate. The Media Conglomerates was holding an average PEG ratio of 0.97 at yesterday's closing price.
The Media Conglomerates industry is part of the Consumer Discretionary sector. At present, this industry carries a Zacks Industry Rank of 53, placing it within the top 22% of over 250 industries.
The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
You can find more information on all of these metrics, and much more, on Zacks.com.
Zacks Names #1 Semiconductor Stock
This under-the-radar company specializes in semiconductor products that titans like NVIDIA don't build. It's uniquely positioned to take advantage of the next growth stage of this market. And it's just beginning to enter the spotlight, which is exactly where you want to be.
With strong earnings growth and an expanding customer base, it's positioned to feed the rampant demand for Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Internet of Things. Global semiconductor manufacturing is projected to explode from $452 billion in 2021 to $971 billion by 2028.
See This Stock Now for Free >>
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Walt Disney (DIS) Stock Moves -1.45%: What You Should Know

Key Points
Disney's fiscal first-quarter streaming operating income surged 72% year over year to $450 million.
The company's recent deal to acquire NFL Network also more closely aligns the NFL's interests with ESPN's.
Disney still carries roughly $41 billion in net debt, limiting its financial flexibility against deep-pocketed tech rivals and streaming leader Netflix.
Shares of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) have been hovering near a historically modest valuation. As of this writing, the stock trades at about 15 times earnings.
For a sprawling entertainment empire with unmatched intellectual property, this price might seem like a bargain. But the hard part about investing is that a cheap stock is often cheap for a reason.
Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue »
Still, shares are trading at a significant discount to the S&P 500. So, is Disney stock a buy?
A strong bull case
To be fair, there is a lot to like about Disney's underlying business right now.
The company's streaming segment, which was burning billions just a few years ago, is finally scaling into a profitable operation.
In Disney's fiscal first quarter of 2026 (ended Dec. 27, 2025), its direct-to-consumer streaming business posted operating income of $450 million -- up an impressive 72% year over year. And further bolstering the bull case is Disney's Experiences segment, which includes its theme parks. The segment generated record quarterly revenue of $10.0 billion in fiscal Q1, alongside $3.3 billion in operating income -- a 6% year-over-year increase.
And then there is Disney's ESPN.
The sports giant remains a uniquely powerful asset, and management recently took a major step to secure its durability.
Disney recently closed a landmark deal with the National Football League (NFL) in which ESPN acquired the NFL Network and certain distribution rights to NFL RedZone channel.
In exchange, the NFL took a 10% equity stake in ESPN -- an equity stake that aligns the two companies' long-term interests.
"Commissioner Goodell and the NFL have built outstanding media assets," explained Disney CEO Bob Iger when discussing the transaction when the deal was first announced last August, "and these transactions will add to consumer choice, provide viewers with even greater convenience and quality, and expand the breadth and value proposition of Disney's streaming ecosystem."
By tightly aligning the league's financial interests with ESPN's success, Disney has significantly enhanced the durability of its sports segment.
A strong bear case
But underneath these bright spots, Disney faces structural challenges that help explain its stock's discounted valuation.
The biggest constraint is the intensely competitive landscape in both its studio and streaming businesses.
Disney isn't just competing with legacy media companies anymore. It is fighting deep-pocketed tech giants like Amazon, which fund their content budgets and streaming platforms with highly lucrative, cash-gushing core businesses. And even Alphabet's YouTube competes for entertainment attention.
These tech rivals have far superior balance sheets, allowing them to treat streaming as a loss leader or bundle feature rather than a stand-alone profit engine.
Then, of course, there's streaming leader Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX), which boasts a much healthier balance sheet than Disney and global reach, with more than 325 million paying subscribers. In addition, Netflix's consolidated business is growing much faster; the company's revenue rose 17.6% year over year in Q4.
Disney, meanwhile, is operating with a heavily indebted balance sheet. The company is carrying roughly $41 billion in net debt.
This massive debt load requires significant interest payments, consuming capital that could otherwise be used for content investment or shareholder returns.
In its fiscal first quarter alone, Disney recorded an interest expense of $443 million.
And this comes at a time when the company is investing heavily to build out its streaming business, and its bottom line is struggling. Despite a 5% year-over-year increase in total first-quarter revenue to nearly $26 billion, Disney's total segment operating income decreased 9%.
This ultimately led to adjusted earnings per share declining 7% year over year to $1.63.
Wait for a better price
When evaluating a stock, it is crucial to separate the quality of the company's assets from the reality of the investment itself.
Disney boasts incredible brands, a world-class parks division, and a newly fortified sports business, making it worth a spot on any investor's watch list.
But the stock's valuation of 15 times earnings doesn't leave much margin of safety for a business facing intense competition and carrying over $40 billion in net debt.
For a company operating with these constraints, I'd like to see a valuation closer to 13 times earnings before considering buying the stock.
At that price, the risks would be more appropriately baked into the stock.
For now, I'd stay on the sidelines.
Should you buy stock in Walt Disney right now?
Before you buy stock in Walt Disney, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Walt Disney wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $522,791!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,132,678!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 952% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 191% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of March 11, 2026.
Daniel Sparks and his clients have no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Amazon, Netflix, and Walt Disney. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Walt Disney Stock Looks Cheap. But Is It a Buy?

Key Points
Analysts at MoffettNathanson estimate that YouTube surpassed Disney as the world's largest media company by revenue.
This is part of an ongoing secular shift away from legacy media to streaming.
Disney has been making progress, but there's more work to be done.
The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) has long been a touchstone of pop culture in the U.S. and around the world. For more than 100 years, the company has been the go-to for audiences, supplying generations of fans with animation, movies, cable and broadcast television, theme parks, cruise ships, merchandise, and more. In fact, for years, the company has held the title of world's largest media company.
In a bit of bittersweet news, reports suggest the company has relinquished its crown.
Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue »
Long live the king
Analysts at MoffettNathanson have crunched the numbers and concluded that Alphabet's (NASDAQ: GOOGL) (NASDAQ: GOOG) YouTube has become the world's largest media company by revenue, but those claims require a bit of background and context.
In 2025, Disney reported total revenue of $94.4 billion. Excluding sales from its Experiences segment -- which includes resorts, theme parks, and cruises -- media revenue from its entertainment and sports segments clocked in at $60.1 billion.
YouTube, for its part, has long been the world's largest online video-sharing platform. Users can upload, share, and comment on a wide variety of videos, including educational content, music videos, children's programming, cat videos, and more. Viewership has been on the rise for years, with audiences watching more than 1 billion hours of content each day. Creators make money by generating popular content that is supported by advertising.
During the fourth quarter, YouTube hit a new benchmark, as revenue from advertising and subscriptions surpassed $60 billion in 2025. Moreover, the company Alphabet noted that strong adoption of Google One and YouTube Premium drove paid subscribers above 325 million. YouTube generated roughly $40.4 billion in ad revenue last year, so the remaining revenue of nearly $20 billion was subscription revenue.
So is YouTube the world's largest media company? That depends. MoffettNathanson estimated YouTube's revenue at $62 billion last year, edging out Disney's $60 billion. That said, if YouTube hasn't outpaced Disney yet, it likely soon will.
What does this mean for Disney shareholders? Unfortunately, this is part of a long-term trend in the media space. Broadcast and cable television are losing ground to streaming services, and Disney's linear networks have been in secular decline, a drag on the company's results in recent years. Management responded by acquiring Hulu and launching Disney+, but the bulk of its revenue still comes from its legacy media businesses.
In 2025, Disney's revenue grew 3% year over year to $94.4 billion. On the bright side, a focus on spending discipline and cost-cutting paid off, as earnings per share from continuing operations rose 152% to $6.85.
Investors aren't getting their hopes up, as Disney's stock price is essentially flat over the past decade and down about 48% from its peak five years ago. Don't get me wrong. As a longtime Disney shareholder, I'm rooting for the company, but the House of Mouse has its work cut out for it.
Should you buy stock in Walt Disney right now?
Before you buy stock in Walt Disney, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Walt Disney wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $522,791!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,132,678!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 952% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 191% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of March 11, 2026.
Danny Vena, CPA has positions in Alphabet, Netflix, and Walt Disney. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Netflix, and Walt Disney. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Disney Investors Just Got Really Bad News from Alphabet

Looking at the underlying holdings of the ETFs in our coverage universe at ETF Channel, we have compared the trading price of each holding against the average analyst 12-month forward target price, and computed the weighted average implied analyst target price for the ETF itself. For the SPDR SSGA US Sector Rotation ETF (Symbol: XLSR), we found that the implied analyst target price for the ETF based upon its underlying holdings is $67.85 per unit.
With XLSR trading at a recent price near $60.52 per unit, that means that analysts see 12.11% upside for this ETF looking through to the average analyst targets of the underlying holdings. Three of XLSR's underlying holdings with notable upside to their analyst target prices are Walt Disney Co. (Symbol: DIS), Alphabet Inc (Symbol: GOOG), and Apple Inc (Symbol: AAPL). Although DIS has traded at a recent price of $101.66/share, the average analyst target is 31.52% higher at $133.70/share. Similarly, GOOG has 23.89% upside from the recent share price of $306.01 if the average analyst target price of $379.11/share is reached, and analysts on average are expecting AAPL to reach a target price of $295.90/share, which is 13.86% above the recent price of $259.87. Below is a twelve month price history chart comparing the stock performance of DIS, GOOG, and AAPL:
Combined, DIS, GOOG, and AAPL represent 8.65% of the SPDR SSGA US Sector Rotation ETF. Below is a summary table of the current analyst target prices discussed above:
Name
Symbol
Recent Price
Avg. Analyst 12-Mo. Target
% Upside to Target
SPDR SSGA US Sector Rotation ETF
XLSR
$60.52
$67.85
12.11%
Walt Disney Co.
DIS
$101.66
$133.70
31.52%
Alphabet Inc
GOOG
$306.01
$379.11
23.89%
Apple Inc
AAPL
$259.87
$295.90
13.86%
Are analysts justified in these targets, or overly optimistic about where these stocks will be trading 12 months from now? Do the analysts have a valid justification for their targets, or are they behind the curve on recent company and industry developments? A high price target relative to a stock's trading price can reflect optimism about the future, but can also be a precursor to target price downgrades if the targets were a relic of the past. These are questions that require further investor research.
Also see:
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Analysts Expect 12% Gains Ahead For The Holdings of XLSR

Key Points
Disney stock is at a 10-month low, but it might not last.
The media giant in track to continue delivering double-digit earnings growth through at least the next two fiscal years.
The arrival of new CEO Josh D'Amaro next week could be a game changer.
Shares of Walt Disney (NYSE: DIS) have buckled below $100 again. It's the first time in more than 10 months that the entertainment giant isn't trading in the triple digits. It's an odd stock chart for a company that has more good news than bad in that span of time, but the markdowns aren't entirely unjustified.
Disney is a provider of premium travel experiences worldwide, vulnerable when the global economy is coming under fire. Inflationary pressures are percolating, especially with the cost of the fuel required to get families going on road trips and on airplanes to get to its leading theme parks skyrocketing. With more money now going to fill up the tank -- as well as the unemployment rate creeping higher -- there will be less money to go around to hit up the multiplex, subscribe to premium streaming video services, and hop on a cruise ship.
Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue »
Advertisers also tend to pare back when the economy is iffy. Why pay up for a lead when the target of that campaign is less likely to part with shrinking disposable income?
This may seem like a villainous turn for the company that's been crafting happy endings for the past 100 years, but it's always darkest before the dawn -- of a turnaround? I think the House of Mouse could be bottoming out here. In the words of its iconic Carousel of Progress attraction, it could be a great, big, beautiful tomorrow.
Whistle while you work
Fiscal 2025 was respectable. Revenue rose a mere 3%, but adjusted earnings and free cash flow soared 18% and 19%, respectively. It topped Wall Street's profit targets for all four fiscal quarters.
Disney kicked off fiscal 2026 in the same fashion, with another beat in last month's financial update. It also confirmed that Disney is on track to deliver double-digit earnings growth in each of these next two fiscal years.
Disney is in a good place -- just about everywhere outside of its legacy linear networks business. Outside of one blockbuster movie from China, Disney released the only three films to top $1 billion in global box office receipts last year. Its theme park cash cow continued to deliver, even in Florida, despite the arrival of a competitor: the first new major gated attraction to open in the country in 24 years, Comcast-owned Universal Epic Universe. Disney's streaming business, which turned profitable in fiscal 2024, shifted into a higher gear in 2025.
Disney is rocking right now. Unfortunately, Disney stock is just getting rocked.
March to a new beat
This should have been a great month for Disney investors. The well-liked Josh D'Amaro takes over as Disney's new CEO at next week's annual shareholder meeting. A major upgrade is happening at its resort in France, with the rebranding of Walt Disney Studios Park as Disney Adventure World later this month, complete with new attractions and experiences.
There is even a lot happening sooner than both of those events. Pixar's Hoppers was the top draw at the multiplex over the weekend. It had the strongest opening for an original Disney animated feature since Coco in 2017. Who says theatrical distribution is dead?
And later this week -- tomorrow, actually -- the maiden voyage for the Disney Adventure cruise ship leaves out of Singapore. It will be the biggest ship in the media mogul's expanding fleet.
With Disney stock dipping into the double digits, you can buy a piece of the iconic content creator for just 15 times this fiscal year's earnings and less than 14 times next year's target. Disney doesn't often trade at a discount to the market, and it doesn't stay there for long when it does.
These are uncertain times. It's easy to see why military activity in the Middle East, domestic unrest, and inflationary fears could weigh on Disney. It may offer escapism at a time when many people need it, but it's a challenging time to get folks to pay a premium for the break from reality. It's still hard to deny the long-term appeal of Disney, a realization that becomes even more compelling amid the short-term pullback in the stock.
Should you buy stock in Walt Disney right now?
Before you buy stock in Walt Disney, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Walt Disney wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $534,008!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,090,073!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 949% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 190% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of March 9, 2026.
Rick Munarriz has positions in Comcast and Walt Disney. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Walt Disney. The Motley Fool recommends Comcast. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Walt Disney Company (The)

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