Disney’s Revenue Climbs

The Walt Disney Company (DIS - Snapshot Report) recently reported fourth-quarter 2009 results, posting mid-single digit growth in both top and bottom lines. Total revenue for the quarter climbed 4% year-on-year to $9,867 million.

The quarterly earnings of 46 cents a share outdid the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 41 cents and jumped 5% from 44 cents delivered in the prior-year quarter. The better-than-expected results followed strong results from its Media Networks segment and effective cost management.

On a reported basis, including one-time items, quarterly earnings came in at 47 cents a share, up 18% from 40 cents posted in the year-ago quarter.

Media Networks revenue surged 14% to $4,725 million, driven by revenue increase registered across Cable Networks (up 14%) and Broadcasting (up 14%). Total operating income soared by 26% to $1,485 million driven by Cable Networks (up 19%) on the back of robust result from ESPN due to higher affiliate revenue. Broadcasting operating income improved to $2 million from a loss $71 million posted in year-ago quarter driven by better result from ABC Studios production.

Parks and Resorts revenue fell 4% to $2,844 million, whereas operating income tumbled 17% to $344 million reflecting weak consumer spending. Studio Entertainment revenue showed a marginal increase of 3% to $1,495 million, but posted an operating loss of $13 million hurt by higher film cost write-downs for theatrical releases during the period.

Consumer Products revenue dipped 12% to $646 million, whereas operating income plunged 28% to $151 million, reflecting weakness across licensing, retail and publishing businesses.

Interactive Media revenue for the quarter rose 8% to $157 million, but posted an operating loss of $114 million, an improvement of 5% over the prior-year quarter, reflecting a fall in marketing and product development costs and a rise in subscriptions for Club Penguin at Disney Online, but partly offset by increase in cost of sales at Disney Interactive Studios.

During fiscal year 2009, the media conglomerate generated free cash flow of $3,311 million, and ended the year with cash and cash equivalents of $3,417 million and total long-term debt of $12,701 million.

Disney recently acquired Marvel Entertainment, Inc. (MVL) in a cash and stock deal worth approximately $4 billion. This is considered to be the largest acquisition since 2006, when it had purchased Pixar Animation Studios for $7.4 billion.

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