The Board of Directors of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIA) has recently announced the approval of a cash dividend amounting to $1.00 per share. The previous dividend of $0.75 per share was distributed to shareholders during the 2024 fiscal year, marking a significant 33% increase. The decision seems to underscore Disney’s focus on shareholder returns and aligns with its strategy to reward long-term investment in the company.
CEO Bob Iger stated, “It’s been a highly successful year for The Walt Disney Company, stemming from the extensive strategic work across the company to improve quality, innovation, efficiency, and value creation,” he went on to state, “With the company operating from a renewed position of strength, we are pleased to increase the dividend for shareholders while continuing to invest for the future and drive sustained growth through Disney’s world-class portfolio of assets.”
The dividend will be issued in two separate payments. The first will be on January 16, 2025, to stockholders of record on December 16, 2024. The second will be distributed to shareholders on record as of June 24, 2025, with the payable date set for July 23, 2025.
In its Fiscal year 2024, Disney reported an annual revenue of $91.4 billion, operating across three primary business segments: Entertainment, Sports, and Experiences.
Bob Iger recently sold $42.7M of his stake in the company. On Friday, November 22, he sold 372,412 shares of Disney. The shares were vested stock options Iger was granted in 2014 and were set to expire this December.
Glad that Disney is issuing cash dividends to shareholders?