Core Insights - Disney has appointed Josh D'Amaro, the parks division head, as the new CEO, marking a return to leadership from the parks sector after the previous CEO, Bob Chapek, did not meet expectations [1][3] - The selection of D'Amaro indicates a strategic shift towards prioritizing experiences over media, suggesting that Disney will focus more on its parks and experiences business rather than solely on streaming [2][3] Parks Business Performance - Disney is investing $60 billion over the next 10 years in its parks segment, which generated over $36 billion in revenue in 2025, reflecting a 6% growth [4] - In the first quarter of the new year, the parks business achieved $10 billion in revenue, underscoring its importance as a profit driver for the company [4] Streaming Business Context - The streaming business, which was heavily emphasized by Iger in 2017, is no longer viewed as the key to Disney's future, with a shift in focus towards the parks and experiences [2][11] - The streaming sector is now seen as a manageable operations business, with expectations for profit margins around 10%, contrasting with the earlier belief that it would revolutionize consumer behavior [11][14] Leadership Qualities - D'Amaro is noted for his public presence and connection with Disney fans, a quality that was lacking in his predecessor, Bob Chapek [8][9] - His experience includes overseeing the launch of parks in China and investing in digital components, indicating a forward-thinking approach to the parks business [7] Transition and Expectations - The transition from Iger to D'Amaro occurs during a period of reduced optimism regarding the streaming business, with a focus on navigating the current challenges rather than expecting a quick fix [17][18] - The company is expected to leverage its parks business to generate revenue while maintaining a reliance on content to keep customer engagement [12]

Core Viewpoint - The Walt Disney Company has appointed Josh D'Amaro as the new CEO, succeeding Bob Iger, with expectations for improved stock performance and strategic growth initiatives [1][4]. Leadership Transition - Josh D'Amaro, a long-time Disney executive, will take over as CEO on March 18, 2023, following Bob Iger's leadership [1][2]. - Iger previously appointed Bob Chapek as CEO, whose tenure was marked by challenges, leading to his dismissal [2]. Company Performance - Disney's stock has faced declines year-to-date, over the past year, and over the past five years, despite significant adjustments made since Iger's return in 2022 [6]. - The company reported a 5% year-over-year revenue increase in its first-quarter 2026 earnings, but operating income and earnings per share decreased [7]. Growth Strategy - D'Amaro is expected to focus on expanding the parks and experiences division, which has seen record revenue of $10 billion and 8% growth [7][8]. - There are plans for further investments in content and streaming, with potential divestitures of traditional television assets like ABC [8]. Future Prospects - The company may pursue acquisitions to build momentum, with speculation about acquiring Epic Games [9]. - D'Amaro's leadership is anticipated to foster a drama-free environment focused on brand expansion and maintaining customer loyalty [9].

There's new royalty at the top of the Magic Kingdom. Josh Dearo named the next CEO of entertainment giant Disney taking the reigns after nearly 30 years with the company. Most recently as head of Disney experiences.The decision ending a years'sl long succession search for Bob Iger who's been running the company for almost two decades in two stints. Iger calling his successor an exceptional leader with a deep understanding of what resonates with our audiences. And right now, few things resonate more with aud ...

Core Viewpoint - The transition of leadership at Disney, with Josh D'Amaro taking charge, highlights the increasing importance of the parks division, which has become the main profit driver for the company, contributing approximately 60% of profits compared to 30-35% a few years ago [4][21]. Group 1: Leadership Transition - Josh D'Amaro's appointment as CEO is seen as a strategic move to emphasize the parks business, which is critical for Disney's future profitability [5][21]. - Bob Iger's decision to step down earlier than expected signals a desire for a clean transition, allowing D'Amaro to establish his own strategy without lingering influence [7][25]. - Dana Walden's new role as Chief Creative Officer is significant, as she brings valuable connections to Hollywood, although her lack of parks experience is noted [8][22]. Group 2: Business Performance and Strategy - The parks division is expected to drive growth, with a $60 billion capital expenditure investment planned, and new cruise capacity anticipated to contribute 40% of growth by fiscal 2026 [12][13]. - Despite recent volatility in attendance and macroeconomic challenges, the long-term outlook for Disney remains positive due to its diversified portfolio and ongoing international expansions, such as the opening of the World of Frozen in Disneyland Paris [16][17]. - The company is navigating the transition from traditional pay television to streaming, with a focus on improving profitability in the streaming segment, which is crucial for future growth [31][33]. Group 3: Market Position and Valuation - Disney's stock performance has been stagnant over the past decade, primarily due to the decline of traditional media, but the company is now positioned for potential revaluation as it shifts focus to growth-oriented segments [29][34]. - The parks and experiences segment is viewed as a stable profit generator, while the entertainment side is seen as shrinking, necessitating a strong performance in experiences for overall success [21][22]. - The company is expected to face short-term headwinds, such as dips in domestic tourism, but the long-term growth potential remains robust [34].

The House of Mouse has a new leader, and for the first time since 2005, his name isn't Bob. Josh Dearo, the current head of theme parks, will be the next CEO of Disney. While putting the guy in charge of Disney World and cruises might seem like an odd fit in a world dominated by digital media, the numbers speak for themselves.Disney's parks division is the company's biggest profit center, more than media and streaming and sports. And it's at the heart of that Disney magic that Wall Street and parents know a ...

Core Insights - Disney's first-quarter earnings for 2026 exceeded expectations, with revenue of $25.98 billion and adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.63, surpassing analyst estimates [1][1][1] - The company's Experiences unit, which includes theme parks, reported over $10 billion in quarterly revenue for the first time [1][1][1] - Despite strong first-quarter performance, Disney's second-quarter forecasts indicate modest operating income growth for theme parks due to a decline in international tourist visits to the U.S. [1][1][1] Financial Performance - Disney's first-quarter revenue was $25.98 billion, above the expected $25.74 billion [1][1] - Adjusted EPS was $1.63, exceeding Wall Street's estimate of $1.57 by 6 cents [1][1] - The Experiences unit's revenue surpassed $10 billion for the first time, contributing significantly to overall earnings [1][1] Box Office and Streaming Success - Disney's box office hits, Zootopia 2 and Avatar: Fire and Ash, each grossed over $1 billion globally [1][1] - ESPN, Disney's sports channel, captured more than 30% of all sports viewership across networks, indicating strong performance in streaming services [1][1] Challenges Ahead - The forecast for the second quarter suggests modest growth in theme park operating income, attributed to reduced international tourist visits [1][1] - CEO Bob Iger noted that international visitors typically stay in Disney hotels less frequently, prompting a shift in marketing efforts towards a domestic audience [1][1] - Factors contributing to the decline in foreign tourism include immigration policies and tariffs under the previous administration [1][1]

Core Insights - The new CEO of Disney, Josh D'Amaro, is noted for his similar wardrobe choices to his predecessor, Bob Iger, which may project continuity to stakeholders [1][2] - Leadership experts suggest that while some mimicry in appearance can be beneficial, it is important for leaders to establish their own identity over time [3][5] Leadership Transition - D'Amaro's similar fashion style may resonate with Disney's culture, where Iger has been a long-standing figure [2] - Experts advise that while some elements of a predecessor's style can be retained, leaders should avoid being seen as mere copies [3][4] Challenges Ahead - D'Amaro faces significant challenges, including the need to grow streaming platforms like Disney+ and Hulu, while managing the transition of ESPN into the streaming era [5] - His approachable business-casual look is seen as suitable for his role, especially in the context of Disney's parks [6]

For the past several years, Josh D’Amaro has been running the engine of Disney’s business. But it’s not a movie studio or a slate of streaming channels. It’s the company’s lucrative and iconic theme parks.Now, the longtime Disney executive is set to take the top job.The Walt Disney Company announced Tuesday that D’Amaro will become CEO on March 18, succeeding Bob Iger after a carefully choreographed succession process. His promotion comes at a moment when streaming, film and sports media remain in flux, and ...

Leadership Change - The Walt Disney Company announced that Josh D'Amaro will be appointed CEO effective March 18, 2026, succeeding Bob Iger, who will become a senior advisor and remain on the board until December 31 [1] - Dana Walden has been named president and chief creative officer, overseeing media, news, and content strategies, reporting directly to D'Amaro [2] Josh D'Amaro's Background - D'Amaro has been with Disney for 28 years, previously leading Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort before heading Disney's Experiences division, which accounted for about 57% of Disney's profit in fiscal 2025 [2] Strategic Vision - Disney chair James P. Gorman praised D'Amaro for his leadership, innovation, and passion for the Disney brand, indicating he is well-suited for the CEO role [3] - D'Amaro has been instrumental in expanding Disney's franchises, with notable projects including "Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge" and "Avengers Campus," as well as upcoming developments like a Monsters, Inc.-themed land and an Avatar destination [3] Bob Iger's Legacy - Bob Iger has been a pivotal figure for Disney since 2005, leading significant acquisitions such as Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm, and the launch of Disney+ [4] - Iger's leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic involved cutting $5.5 billion in spending to position Disney for future success [5]

Key Takeaways Disney CEO & President Replacements Announced JOLTS Numbers Kick Off "Jobs Week" for FebruaryPYPL, PFE, MRK and MPC Report Q4 Earnings, with Various SuccessAMD, AMGN and CMG Report Q4 Earnings After the CloseTuesday, February 3rd, 2026Kicking off another day of trading, the Dow is flat but other indexes are up: the S&P 500 +0.23%, the Nasdaq +0.51% and the small-cap Russell 2000 +0.32%. The rebound off Friday’s near-term lows continues at a somewhat measured pace, with an apparent bullish sign ...