(By Balaseshan) Walt Disney Co. (NYSE: DIS), a worldwide entertainment company, reported a 6% decline in quarterly earnings due to higher costs and expenses as well as a decline in Studio Entertainment segment. However, results exceeded Street's expectations.
Earnings for the first quarter were $1.38 billion or $0.77 per share, down from $1.46 billion or $0.80 per share last year. Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) declined 1% to $0.79.
Revenue increased 5% to $11.341 billion.
Analysts, on average, polled by Thomson Reuters had expected a profit of $0.76 per share on revenue of $11.21 billion for the first quarter.
The Dow member has topped Wall Street's consensus view 12 of last 16 earnings announcements by an average of 10.19%. Meanwhile, bottom line profits fell short three times with an average miss of 12.45% and hit the bulls' eye once.
Revenue from media networks rose 7% to $5.1 billion, due to growth at the domestic Disney Channels, ABC Family and A&E Television Networks (AETN), despite a fall at ESPN. Parks and resorts revenue grew 7% to $3.4 billion, driven by increases at its domestic operations, partially offset by a decrease at its international operations.
Studio entertainment revenue declined 5% to $1.5 billion, driven by decreases in home entertainment and theatrical distribution, partially offset by an increase in television and subscription video on demand (TV/SVOD) distribution.
Consumer products revenue increased 7% to $1.0 billion, while interactive media revenue rose 4% to $291 million.
Segment operating income for the quarter decreased to $2.38 billion from $2.44 billion, due to a 43% drop from Studio Entertainment income segment.
DIS closed Tuesday's regular session up 0.72% at $54.29. The stock has been trading between $39.96 and $54.87 for the past 52 weeks.