The Walt Disney group today announced a net profit of 4,423 million dollars in the first quarter of its fiscal year 2018, 78% more than in the same period of the previous year.
The company earned $ 2.91 per share between October and December, although that calculation includes an extraordinary profit of $ 1.6 billion derived from the recent tax reform approved in the United States.
Without it, Walt Disney had a profit per share of $ 1.89, compared to $ 1.55 the year before, surpassing analysts’ expectations.
Its turnover, however, was below those forecasts, with total revenues of 15,351 million dollars, 4% more than the previous year.
The business of media, usually the most powerful for the company, billed approximately the same as a year ago and its benefits were reduced by 12% to 1,193 million dollars.
Meanwhile, the division of amusement parks and resorts gained 21% more, with an operating profit of 1,347 million dollars.
The group’s shares ended today with a rise of 1.40% on Wall Street and, after disclosing their accounts, advanced 2.01% in electronic transactions after the close.
Walt Disney is still awaiting the closure of its multimillion-dollar operation to take over a large part of the 21st Century Fox consortium, an acquisition announced last December.
The company will buy Fox’s film and television studios and other parts of its international cable and television business, while taking on part of its debt.
Overall, the operation is valued at about 66,100 million dollars and will mean a sharp change in the landscape of the entertainment industry.
The president and CEO of Walt Disney, Robert A. Iger, said in a statement that the company is “excited about what lies ahead”, including a “robust list of films”, new investments in theme parks and the closure of the operation with the Fox. efe
