Crowds flocked to Disney’s US theme parks in the second quarter, helping the entertainment giant post stronger than expected profits despite the continued slide of its traditional television business.
The group reported net income of $5.3bn in the quarter to the end of June, boosted by a $3.3bn tax benefit, which helped it eclipse Wall Street forecasts for $2.3bn. Adjusted earnings rose 16 per cent from a year ago to $1.61 per share, beating estimates of $1.44.
Despite concerns of a US consumer slowdown, Disney’s Florida and California theme parks reported higher spending in the quarter to June. Operating income at Disney’s US parks rose 22 per cent to $1.7bn.