The market is not much fun lately, but certain stocks are. Even if we are headed into a recession (and there are signs we may be), businesses that entertain people tend to do all right.
WALT DISNEY (SYMBOL DIS, $113), the largest such stock by market value, weathered a slight dip in sales and lower earnings in the fiscal year that ended in September 2009, as the Great Recession was coming to a close. For the two fiscal years that straddled the economic downturn, however, revenues increased overall, and earnings per share for the owner of TV networks, theme parks, movie studios and a cruise line went on to set a record in 2011. The company never reduced its annual dividend, which increased from 31 cents a share in 2007 to 60 cents a share five years later (today, it’s $1.76).
Disney keeps growing. Last year, the company reached a deal with Rupert Murdoch’s empire to buy 21st Century Fox, which includes 20th Century Fox film and TV studios, U.K.based Sky News, and some of Fox’s cable channels (though not Fox News) for a total of $71 billion.
Disney also owns eight of the world’s 10 largest amusement parks, measured by attendance, including the first-place Magic Kingdom in Orlando and Shanghai Disneyland, which zoomed to number eight in 2017, its second year of operation. Even if park admissions—which run $135 per day for an adult at peak times at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif.—fall off in a weakening economy, the company should continue to prosper with its media business as Americans cocoon at home and watch programming on TV, or maybe go to the movies for $10 or $12 a head.
Including the Fox deal, Disney owns either all or a big chunk of ABC, ESPN, A&E, the National Geographic channel, Star (a network in India that reaches more than 700 million people a month), the Hulu streaming service, Pixar, Lucasfilm and Marvel Entertainment, plus franchises including the Muppets, the Simpsons, X-Men, Star Wars, Winnie the Pooh and, of course, Mickey Mouse. And cartoon characters don’t charge a talent fee or make you fly them around on private jets.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة March 2019 من Kiplinger's Personal Finance.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة March 2019 من Kiplinger's Personal Finance.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF DISABLED VETERANS
He suffered grave injuries in the line of duty. Now he helps other veterans who have disabilities.
DO YOU NEED UMBRELLA INSURANCE?
A policy can protect you from financially devastating events.
Navigating Finances as a Blended Family
Money matters can get complicated when two families unite. Planning is key.
BREAKING UP WITH YOUR BROKER
Be aware of these challenges when you move your money to a new home.
CHOOSE A MEDICARE PLAN THAT'S RIGHT FOR YOU
Consider your health care needs over the long term as you weigh costs and coverage.
Keep Faith in These Stocks
IN 1997, I coined the phrase “faith-based investing.” It has nothing to do with religion or with picking stocks at random.
OUR ESG PICKS ARE THRIVING
Despite an ongoing backlash, our favorite stocks and funds focused on environmental, social and corporate governance issues had a good year overall.
MONEY MANNERS FOR THE MODERN AGE
The customs for splitting a restaurant check, purchasing a wedding gift, tipping and more have evolved. These guidelines can help.
ELECTION 2024: POLITICS AND YOUR PORTFOLIO
Who wins the White House matters—but only at the margins when it comes to your investments.
YOUR GUIDE TO OPEN ENROLLMENT
With health care costs on the rise, it’s critical to select a plan that fits your needs at the right price.
