Disney 2Q Net Slides 1.2%

Profits are down slightly mostly due to poor performance in the studio division (Mars Needs Moms anyone?) but actual revenues are still up. The full article follows…

NEW YORK (Dow Jones)–Walt Disney Co.’s (DIS) fiscal second-quarter profit slid 1.2% as strong advertising revenue and an improving parks-and-resorts business were offset by poor results in the studio entertainment division.

Results missed analyst expectations, pushing shares down 2.8% to $42.70 in after-hours trading. The stock is up 17% this year through Tuesday’s close.

Like many of its peers, Disney’s networks have benefited from a rebound in the television advertising market, while its theme-parks division has reported higher attendance and per-person spending. However, overall results were dragged down by the timing of the Easter holiday, which fell in the current quarter, along with the effects from the Japanese earthquake, the timing of certain DVD releases and a disappointing showing for the film “Mars Needs Moms.”

Those factors, along with a charge on last year’s purchase of social-game maker Playdom, combined to cut earnings by more than $170 million.

For the quarter ended April 2, Disney reported a profit of $942 million, down from $953 million, a year earlier. On a per-share basis, earnings rose to 49 cents from 48 cents as Disney had 2% fewer shares outstanding in the latest period. Revenue grew 5.8% to $9.08 billion.

Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters expected a profit of 56 cents on revenue of $9.13 billion.

Revenue from the company’s media networks–its biggest top-line contributor–jumped 12%, while profit increased 17%. ESPN revenue was boosted by the football Bowl Championship Series and high ratings for regular-season NBA games. Chief Executive Robert Iger said on a conference call that early signs suggest “strong” advertising sales during next week’s upfront.

Still, Chief Financial Officer Jay Rasulo warned that comparisons to the year-ago third fiscal quarter will be difficult, as the prior period included the World Cup, a seven-game playoff between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics and heavy political advertising spending.

Parks-and-resorts revenue rose 7.4% although profit declined 3.3%. Excluding the impact of the Easter holiday timing, attendance at domestic parks would have risen 2%. Per-capita spending rose 6% and per-room spending gained 4%.

In the current quarter, bookings at Disney resorts are about 2.5% below year-ago levels, but booked-room prices are ahead by double digits.

The interactive media segment, which has plagued Disney amid increasing competition from more mobile game platforms, posted 8% revenue growth as its operating loss widened. Still, the company said it sees continued opportunities for that unit.

The studio entertainment segment’s top line fell 13%, while profit slumped 65%. The segment was hurt by lower unit sales of home entertainment after a strong prior-year performance of the first two “Toy Story” films and other movies, as well as the disappointing “Mars Needs Moms.”

However, a strong opening weekend for Marvel Studios’ comic-book adaption of “Thor” bodes well for Disney, which will begin distributing films from the studio beginning with “The Avengers” in 2012.

The company said the upcoming releases of the fourth “Pirates of the Caribbean” installment and “Cars” sequel also will be major factors in the current quarter.

Meanwhile, Disney said it expects to save $350 million to $400 million over five years, beginning in fiscal 2012, after changing certain salary pension plans. The move should cut pension expense by 25% to 30% compared with the prior program.