Results from UBS suggested more households than expected plan to subscribe to Disney+
The shares of Walt Disney Co (NYSE:DIS) are trading higher today following positive results from a recent survey regarding the entertainment powerhouse's Disney+ streaming service. Specifically, the projections for the number of U.S. households that plan to subscribe to Disney+ looks to be more than double what the company previously expected, per a recent UBS survey.
Disney projected 20% to 30% of broadband households would sign up for Disney+ by 2024, while the survey indicated up to 43% of consumers intend to subscribe. In response, DIS is up 0.9% at $137.80, at last check.
DIS has charged up the charts in 2019, so far having added 26%, with recent support emerging at the 120-day moving average. The shares saw an impressive streaming-related bull gap back in April, which paved the way to the stock's July 29 record high of $147.15.
At least one options trader today is betting on even more upside for the Dow stock in the near term. Amid accelerated activity -- the 20,000 calls on the tape so far is 1.5 times what's typically seen at this point -- a 1,000-contract block of weekly 9/13 140-strike calls was bought to open for $140,000 (number of contracts * $1.40 premium paid * 100 shares per contract).
This is the most the call buyer stands to lose, should DIS settle below $140 at the close on Friday, Sept. 13. Profit, meanwhile, will accumulate on a move above breakeven at $141.40 (strike plus premium paid).