Honestly, checking the ticker for Disney lately feels a bit like watching one of those high-stakes Pixar sequels. You know there’s going to be a lot of heart, some scary moments, and hopefully, a happy ending. But for investors holding the bag, the drama has been very real. How much is Disney stock today? As of the close on Friday, January 16, 2026, Walt Disney Co (DIS) settled at $111.22.
It’s a bit of a dip, down about 1.9% from the previous day’s close of $113.41. If you've been tracking this since the start of the year, you've seen a bit of a roller coaster. We saw a 52-week high of $124.69 not too long ago, and while we're nowhere near the scary $80 lows of last year, the market is still acting a little twitchy.
Why the slide today? It’s not just one thing. Investors are basically holding their breath for the Q1 2026 earnings report, which is tentatively scheduled for February 2. Plus, there’s this whole "who’s next?" vibe hanging over the C-suite as Bob Iger’s retirement at the end of 2026 looms larger every day.
The Real Numbers: What You’re Actually Buying
When you look at Disney stock today, you aren't just buying Mickey ears and Star Wars toys. You’re buying a massive, three-headed machine: Entertainment, Sports, and Experiences.
The company’s market cap is currently sitting right around $198.5 billion. To put that in perspective, they’re trading at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of about 16.2. In the world of tech-heavy media, that's actually kinda cheap. Netflix usually trades at a much higher multiple.
Here is the quick breakdown of the latest financial health check from the end of fiscal 2025:
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- Total Revenue: $94.4 billion for the year (up 3%).
- Earnings Per Share (EPS): $6.85.
- Dividend Yield: About 1.35%, with a $0.75 per share payout just hitting accounts on January 15.
- Operating Cash Flow: Disney is aiming for a massive $19 billion in 2026.
The OpenAI Factor
One thing that really moved the needle recently was Disney’s $1 billion partnership with OpenAI. This isn't just a "we use ChatGPT" kind of deal. They are integrating Sora—OpenAI’s video generation tech—directly into Disney+. Starting early this year, they’re letting fans create shareable videos using over 200 licensed characters. Imagine making your own 10-second Marvel clip. That’s the kind of tech-play that has analysts like Peter Supino at Wolfe Research calling the stock undervalued.
Why the Market is Still Grumpy About Disney
If the numbers are decent, why isn't the stock at $200? Kinda simple, actually. People are worried about the "Linear" side of the house—basically traditional TV.
ESPN is the elephant in the room. While the "Sports" segment is holding its own with an operating income of about $911 million in the last reported quarter, it’s a constant battle against rising production costs and people canceling cable. Disney is betting the farm on the flagship ESPN direct-to-consumer launch, but that’s a "show me" story for Wall Street.
Then you have the Succession Drama 2.0. James Gorman, the former Morgan Stanley boss, just took over as Chairman of the Board this month. His main job? Find the person to replace Bob Iger. Whether it’s an internal favorite like Josh D’Amaro (who runs the Parks) or an outsider, the uncertainty is like a fog over the stock price.
Breaking Down the Segments
1. Experiences (The Cash Cow)
This is the part of Disney that actually makes the most consistent money. Even with Comcast opening Epic Universe in Orlando last year, Disney’s parks didn't blink. In fact, revenue in this segment grew 6%. They are launching two new cruise ships—the Disney Adventure and Disney Destiny—this year. These floating hotels are basically money-printing machines once they start sailing.
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2. Entertainment (The Content Factory)
Disney regained its crown at the box office in 2025 with three $1 billion hits (Avatar: Fire and Ash being the big one). Looking ahead, the 2026 slate is heavy: Avengers: Doomsday and Toy Story 5. If these hit, the "Content Sales" numbers will skyrocket.
3. Sports (The Future of ESPN)
This is where the risk lives. Disney is spending $24 billion on content across sports and entertainment this year. That is a staggering amount of money. If they can’t turn those sports rights into a profitable streaming-only ESPN business, the stock will struggle to break out of the $110-$130 range.
What Analysts Are Saying (The Consensus)
Most of the big firms are still "Buy" on Disney, but they aren't screaming it from the rooftops like they used to. Out of about 29 analysts tracking the stock right now:
- 20 say Strong Buy
- 3 say Moderate Buy
- 5 are sitting on the fence with a Hold
- 1 is a Strong Sell
The average price target is hovering around $135.28. If that’s right, there’s about an 18% upside from where we are today. But remember, analyst targets are basically educated guesses—they aren't promises.
Surprising Misconceptions
One thing people get wrong is thinking Disney is just a "kids' brand" struggling to adapt to the internet. Honestly, they’ve already adapted. They have nearly 200 million combined subscribers across Disney+ and Hulu. The problem isn't getting users; it’s making sure those users pay enough to cover the massive cost of making The Mandalorian or Avengers.
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Another big shocker? Debt. Disney has been aggressively paying down the bill from the 21st Century Fox acquisition. They ended 2025 with about $42 billion in debt, which sounds like a lot (and it is), but they’ve cut it by nearly $4 billion in a single year. That’s a huge win for the balance sheet that doesn't get enough headlines.
Actionable Insights for Investors
If you're looking at Disney stock today, you have to decide if you believe in the "Iger Transformation" or if you think the company is too big for its own good.
- Watch the February 2 Earnings: Keep an eye on the "Direct-to-Consumer" (streaming) profit margins. If they continue to trend up, the stock could finally break its sideways trend.
- Mind the Dividend: If you’re in it for the long haul, that $1.50 annual dividend (paid in two parts) is a nice kicker, especially if the company increases share buybacks to $7 billion as planned.
- The "Sora" Catalyst: Watch for the official launch of the OpenAI-powered tools in the Disney+ app later this spring. If it goes viral, it changes the narrative from "legacy media company" to "tech-forward entertainment giant."
The stock is currently trading at a discount compared to its historical averages. It’s a "Hold" for the cautious, but for those who think the Parks and the upcoming Marvel slate will carry the day, the current price under $115 looks like a classic accumulation zone.
Next Steps for You
- Review your portfolio's exposure: Check if you're over-concentrated in the "Communication Services" sector before adding more DIS.
- Set a price alert: Put a notification for $105 (a potential support level) and $125 (a resistance level) to help you time your entry or exit.
- Read the Q1 Transcript: When the report drops on February 2, don't just look at the headlines; search for management's comments on "ad-tier growth" and "succession timing."