Disney profits up in first quarter, image could still use some work

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Disney's latest financial report indicates solid gains from a rebounding domestic theme park business, its hugely successful ESPN sports cable network, and a movie studio that is still reaping the benefits of a blockbuster 2003. The company reported five percent growth in net income, to $723 million, and a one percent increase, to $8.7 billion in sales. Observers say the company's image needs some work after a year of airing its dirty laundry.

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I certainly wish they would spin the theme park operations off so the stock could reach higher levels. Barring another attack, I do not see how the theme parks do not do extremly well in the next year or two. A weak dollar, the new coaster at AK, flight at Epcot, the new stunt show at MGM...

All of this seems to bode well for the domestic park business. Unfortunatley, I cannot predict the movie and ABC successes or failures which, in my opinion, have been dragging this stock down recently. I do not think the PR stuff is going to be a big issue going forward, but what do I know?

Why would you ditch a part of your business when it's clearly essential to the company, and recovering just fine? It's trading hire than News Corp and Time-Warner. Only Viacom is trading higher among the major media companies.

It is just wishful thinking on my part. I just do not see how the theme parks can fail in the next year or two. I sure would love a piece of my hypothetical dream world. Your point is taken on the whole...

I'd rather see Disney ditch a few divisions that have been lagging in recent years, as well as a lame-duck CEO that has been lagging for a decade.

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