Disney Posts Upbeat Q4 Profit, But Revenue Misses Views

Walt Disney Co DIS reported better-than-expected earnings for its fiscal fourth quarter on Thursday, but the company's sales missed analysts' estimates. The Burbank, California-based company posted quarterly net income of $1.61 billion, or $0.95 per share, compared to $1.50 billion, or $0.86 per share, in the year-ago period. Excluding items, Disney's earnings surged 35 percent to $1.20 per share from $0.89 per share. Its total revenue climbed 9.1 percent to $13.51 billion. However, analysts were expecting earnings of $1.14 per share on revenue of $13.57 billion. Media Networks revenue gained 12 percent year-over-year to $5.8 billion for the quarter, while Parks and Resorts revenue surged 10 percent to $4.4 billion. Studio Entertainment revenue came in relatively flat at $1.8 billion for the latest quarter, while Consumer Products revenue rose 11 percent to $1.2 billion. Interactive revenue slipped 4 percent to $347 million. "We had a strong quarter, with adjusted EPS up 35%, completing our fifth consecutive year of record performance," said Robert A. Iger, chairman and chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Company. "In Fiscal 2015 we delivered the highest revenue, net income and adjusted EPS in the Company's history, reflecting the power of our great brands and franchises, the quality of our creative content, and our relentless innovation to maximize value from emerging technologies." Disney shares fell 0.35 percent to $112.60 in the after-hours trading session.