The Walt Disney Company (DIS) has found its next leader, and he's been running the happiest place on earth. Josh D'Amaro, who's spent nearly three decades with Disney and currently oversees its parks and experiences division, will take the reins as CEO at the company's annual meeting on March 18.
The Disney Board unanimously backed D'Amaro for the top job, a vote of confidence in someone who's been quietly building one of the company's most profitable businesses. Over his 28-year career at Disney, D'Amaro has led significant expansions across the Experiences segment, which pulled in $36 billion in revenue during fiscal 2025. That's not just theme parks—it's hotels, cruise ships, and consumer products, all generating steady cash while streaming losses dominated headlines.
The Succession Plan Takes Shape
D'Amaro will replace Robert A. Iger, the legendary CEO who's had more comeback tours than a rockstar. The transition happens just after Disney reported its first quarter earnings on Monday, setting the stage for fresh leadership as the company navigates a rapidly changing entertainment landscape.
But D'Amaro isn't the only executive getting promoted. Dana Walden has been named President and Chief Creative Officer, effective the same day. It's a strategic pairing that puts operational expertise alongside creative vision at the top of Disney's org chart.
What Disney Actually Does
For those keeping score at home, Disney operates three main business segments: entertainment, sports, and experiences. The company owns everything from the ABC broadcast network and several cable channels to Disney+ and Hulu streaming services. Then there's the production and distribution side—movies and television shows that leverage Disney's unmatched library of iconic franchises and characters.
It's the kind of vertically integrated empire that would make any media mogul jealous, but it also means Disney has to juggle very different businesses with very different economics.
The Numbers Investors Are Watching
The next earnings report drops on May 6, and Wall Street is expecting solid year-over-year growth. Analysts are forecasting earnings per share of $1.57, up from $1.45 last year, with revenue climbing to $25.76 billion from $23.62 billion. The stock trades at a P/E ratio of 15.4x, which suggests a fairly reasonable valuation given the company's market position.
Analyst Sentiment Remains Positive
The Street still likes Disney, with a consensus Buy rating and an average price target of $131.48. Recent analyst activity includes:
- Jefferies: Buy rating, lowered target to $132.00 (February 3)
- Needham: Buy rating, maintained target at $125.00 (February 2)
- Citigroup: Buy rating, lowered target to $140.00 (January 16)
The Scorecard Breakdown
Looking at Disney's fundamental metrics paints an interesting picture. The company scores a 99.13 on growth rank, suggesting strong growth potential ahead. Its value rank sits at 63.2, indicating fair valuation relative to peers, while the quality rank of 56.16 shows a healthy balance sheet. The weak spot? Momentum, which comes in at just 15.39, meaning the stock has been underperforming the broader market recently.
Price Action: Disney shares rose 1.23% to $105.73 during premarket trading on Tuesday, as investors digested the leadership transition news.
