Nuveen LLC Makes New Investment in The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS)

Key Points

• Nuveen LLC acquired a new stake in The Walt Disney Company, purchasing approximately 13.7 million shares valued at around $1.35 billion, representing 0.76% of Disney's total shares.
• Disney recently reported $1.61 EPS for the last quarter, outperforming expectations, while revenue slightly fell short of analysts' estimates at $23.65 billion.
• Numerous analysts have raised their price targets for Disney, with Citigroup, Guggenheim, and Barclays all setting targets of $140, indicating strong growth potential.

Nuveen LLC bought a new stake in shares of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS - Free Report) in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor bought 13,714,357 shares of the entertainment giant's stock, valued at approximately $1,353,607,000. Nuveen LLC owned about 0.76% of Walt Disney at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also made changes to their positions in DIS. MJT & Associates Financial Advisory Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Walt Disney during the first quarter worth about $26,000. Mpwm Advisory Solutions LLC acquired a new position in Walt Disney in the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. Kessler Investment Group LLC increased its holdings in shares of Walt Disney by 274.0% during the 1st quarter. Kessler Investment Group LLC now owns 273 shares of the entertainment giant's stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. Copia Wealth Management purchased a new stake in Walt Disney during the 4th quarter worth $36,000. Finally, Vermillion Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new position in Walt Disney in the 4th quarter valued at about $39,000. 65.71% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Walt Disney Trading Up 0.2%

NYSE DIS traded up $0.17 on Monday, hitting $112.60. 8,526,534 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 8,920,482. The Walt Disney Company has a 52-week low of $80.10 and a 52-week high of $124.69. The firm has a market capitalization of $202.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.65, a P/E/G ratio of 1.62 and a beta of 1.56. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $119.16 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $107.98. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a quick ratio of 0.66 and a current ratio of 0.72.

Walt Disney (NYSE:DIS - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, August 6th. The entertainment giant reported $1.61 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.45 by $0.16. Walt Disney had a net margin of 12.22% and a return on equity of 9.67%. The business had revenue of $23.65 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $23.69 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.39 earnings per share. The firm's revenue was up 2.1% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts forecast that The Walt Disney Company will post 5.47 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Walt Disney news, EVP Brent Woodford sold 1,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $110.84, for a total value of $110,840.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 46,831 shares of the company's stock, valued at $5,190,748.04. This trade represents a 2.09% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.16% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on the stock. Barclays raised their target price on shares of Walt Disney from $120.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 9th. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a "hold" rating on shares of Walt Disney in a research note on Monday. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods restated a "market perform" rating on shares of Walt Disney in a report on Monday. Stephens reiterated a "buy" rating on shares of Walt Disney in a research report on Monday. Finally, Guggenheim raised their price objective on shares of Walt Disney from $120.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, June 27th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Walt Disney has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $131.18.

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.