Disney Q4 revenue misses estimates amid linear TV pressures, company increases dividend

Core Insights - Disney reported mixed fourth quarter results, with declines in linear TV business offsetting gains in parks and streaming as CEO Bob Iger's turnaround approaches its conclusion [1] Financial Performance - Revenue for the quarter was $22.46 billion, missing analyst expectations of $22.83 billion, and was roughly comparable to the previous year [2] - The entertainment division saw a 6% revenue drop, with linear network revenue falling 16% year over year and operating income dropping 21% due to cord-cutting and shifts in advertising [2][3] - Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter were $1.11, exceeding the expected $1.07, though down 3% from $1.14 a year ago [4] Future Outlook - For fiscal 2026, Disney expects double-digit adjusted EPS growth from 2025 and plans to double its share repurchase target to $7 billion [5] - The company announced a $0.50 increase in its cash dividend to $1.50 [5] Streaming and Parks Performance - Disney+ added 3.8 million subscribers in the quarter, surpassing the expected 2.4 million [6] - The direct-to-consumer segment, including Disney+ and Hulu, reported a profit of $352 million, up from $253 million a year ago [6] - Disney is targeting approximately $375 million in streaming profits for Q1 2026 and plans to merge Disney+ and Hulu next year [7]