Jefferies Upgrades Disney to Buy with $144 Price Target

Jefferies analysts have upgraded The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) to Buy from Hold and raised their price target to $144, implying 19% upside from the $121.46 close. This is based on a 20× multiple of projected $7.20 FY27 adjusted EPS. Below, we dive into why Disney's Direct‑to‑Consumer, Parks & Cruises, and content businesses are setting the stage for renewed growth—and how to monitor rating changes and key financial metrics inline using FMP's APIs.

Why the Upgrade: Structural Improvements Across Segments

1. Direct‑to‑Consumer (DTC) Turnaround

   • Jefferies models DTC margins rising from 0.6% in FY24 to 13% by FY28, driven by bundling strategies and ad partnerships with the likes of Amazon. Track this margin expansion in real time via the Key Metrics TTM Statement Analysis API.

2. Parks & Cruises Recovery

   • Disney World forward bookings are up 4% in Q3 and 7% in Q4, easing concerns around Universal's Epic Universe.

   • Two new ships—Disney Destiny and Disney Adventure—launching in FY26 are expected to add $1 billion+ in annual revenue, accounting for roughly 30% of Experiences‑segment operating‑income growth.

3. Content & Sports Slate

   • Upcoming high‑profile releases like Zootopia 2, Avatar 3, and an ESPN standalone streaming launch are poised to boost ad sales and subscriber engagement, underpinning Jefferies's 11% EPS growth forecast for FY27.

Valuation Framework & Price Target

• Target: $144 (up from $100)

• Upside: +19%

• Multiple: 20× FY27 adjusted EPS

• Peer Comparison: Disney trades at 30× NTM EPS, slightly below media peers near 32×.

Monitoring Analyst Moves & Health Inline

• Jefferies's upgrade appears immediately via the Up‑Down Grades by Company API, so you see live analyst rating changes for DIS.

• Disney's profitability ratios and other critical data stream through the Key Metrics TTM Statement Analysis API, updating your dashboard without manual pulls.

Tactical Takeaways & Risk Controls

Next Steps & Call to Action

1. Obtain your FMP API key to access the Up‑Down Grades by Company and Key Metrics TTM Statement Analysis endpoints.

2. Embed live DIS rating changes and margin dashboards in your research platform for continuous insights.

3. Back‑test these tactical setups using historical API data before deploying capital.

By blending Jefferies's Buy upgrade thesis with inline API‑driven analytics, you'll stay ahead of Disney's growth catalysts and valuation inflections—perfectly positioned for the next chapter of magic.