The Walt Disney Company today reported their earnings for its second fiscal quarter ending on April 3rd, 2021. Diluted earnings per share (EPS) from continuing operations for the quarter increased to $0.50 from $0.26 in the prior-year quarter. Excluding certain items(1), diluted EPS for the quarter increased 32% to $0.79 from $0.60 in the prior-year quarter. EPS from continuing operations for the six months ended April 3, 2021 decreased 64% to $0.52 from $1.43 in the prior-year period. Excluding certain items(1), EPS for the six months decreased 48% to $1.11 from $2.13 in the prior-year period. Results for the quarter and six months ended April 3, 2021 were adversely impacted by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The most significant impact was at the Disney Parks, Experiences and Products segment where since late in the second quarter of fiscal 2020, our parks and resorts have been closed or operating at significantly reduced capacity and our cruise ship sailings have been suspended.
Related – Universal Theme Parks revenue down for first quarter of 2021
“We’re pleased to see more encouraging signs of recovery across our businesses, and we remain focused on ramping up our operations while also fueling long-term growth for the Company,” said Bob Chapek, Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company. “This is clearly reflected in the reopening of our theme parks and resorts, increased production at our studios, the continued success of our streaming services, and the expansion of our unrivaled portfolio of multiyear sports rights deals for ESPN and ESPN+.”
Disney Parks, Experiences and Products revenues for the quarter decreased 44% to $3.2 billion, and segment operating results decreased $1.2 billion to a loss of $406 million. Lower operating results for the quarter were due to decreases at our parks and experiences business, partially offset by growth at our consumer products business.
As a result of COVID-19, Disneyland Resort and Disneyland Paris were closed and our cruise business was suspended for all of the current quarter, whereas these businesses closed in mid-March of the prior-year quarter. Hong Kong Disneyland Resort was open for approximately 30 days during the current quarter, compared to approximately 25 days in the prior-year quarter. Walt Disney World Resort and Shanghai Disney Resort were both open in the current quarter. In the prior-year quarter, Walt Disney World Resort closed in mid-March and Shanghai Disney Resort closed in late January. Our parks and resorts that were open during the quarter operated at significantly reduced capacities.
Related – Disney Parks revenue down $2.4 Billion according to Q4 Earnings Report
At our consumer products business, operating income growth was driven by increases in merchandise and games licensing revenues. Growth in merchandise licensing revenues was driven by higher revenue from merchandise based on Star Wars, including The Mandalorian, Disney Princesses and Mickey and Minnie, partially offset by a decrease in revenues from merchandise based on Frozen. The increase in games licensing revenues was primarily due to the fiscal 2021 release of Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales and higher royalties from Twisted Wonderland, partially offset by lower royalties from Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order.
We estimate the total net adverse impact of COVID-19 compared to the prior-year quarter was a decrease in segment operating income of approximately $1.2 billion.
If you would like to read the complete earnings report for the 2nd quarter of 2021 click here.
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