by Ray Keating
News/Commentary
DisneyBizJournal.com
October 2, 2023
October 2023 is a big month for the Walt Disney Company. It marks the company’s 100th birthday. One hundred years in business is truly amazing for any company. But with Disney, of course, we’re talking about one of the largest entertainment companies on the planet, and one that has had a historic impact on popular culture.
Specifically, it was October 16, 1923, when the brothers Walt and Roy Disney formed the Disney Brothers Studio. In 1940, Walt Disney productions issued over-the-counter stock, and later, on November 12, 1957, the company did an IPO (initial public offering) on the New York Stock Exchange at a price of $13.88.
Disney has announced that it will be celebrating its birthday throughout October in a variety of ways. For example, Disney+ will be decked out in a special 100 anniversary logo, and will offer a special collection of films and series from throughout the decades. And the short film Once Upon a Studio will make a broadcast debut on Sunday, October 15, during ABC’s The Wonderful World of Disney: Disney’s 100th Anniversary Celebration!
Also, as part of the celebration, Disney is having theatrical re-releases for The Lion King, from September 29 to October 12, and for Moana, from October 13–26.
There’s more about the 100th celebration here.
By the way, what would an investment in the Disney IPO in 1957 be worth now? Well, Benzinga.com did the calculations as of November 2022, and it concluded:
“Disney shares were priced at $13.88 at the time of the 1957 IPO. A $1,000 investment could have purchased 72.05 shares at the time. Over the years, Disney has completed numerous stock splits. The original 72.05 share investment would be 28,896.18 shares today after stock splits. The $1,000 investment would be worth $2,635,042.65 today, turning Disney IPO investors into millionaires if they kept the investment over the last 65 years.”
And when adjusted for inflation that initial $1,000 equates to about $11,000 in today’s dollars – so that’s still a fantastic return on Disney’s stock since 1957.
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Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com; and author of the Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries, the Alliance of Saint Michael novels, and assorted nonfiction books. Have Ray Keating speak your group, business, school, church, or organization. Email him at raykeating@keatingreports.com.
The views expressed here are his own – after all, no one else should be held responsible for this stuff, right? (Keating is a Disney shareholder.)
Consider books by Ray Keating, including…
• The Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries. There are 18 books in the series now.
• Order The Weekly Economist II: 52 More Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist. Kindle editions and paperbacks via Amazon here and signed books here. And don’t forget the first book in this growing series, i.e., The Weekly Economist: 52 Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist at Amazon.com.
• Cathedral: An Alliance of Saint Michael Novel is at Amazon.
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