NEW YORK, Jan 18, 2026, 17:18 EST — Market closed.
- On Friday, Disney shares ended the day down 1.95%.
- U.S. markets will be closed Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
- Disney is set to report earnings on Feb. 2, with investors watching closely on streaming and parks performance.
Walt Disney’s stock slipped 1.95% to close at $111.20 on Friday, Jan. 16. Throughout the session, shares ranged from $113.85 down to $111.12, with roughly 12 million shares traded. 1
U.S. stock markets will be closed Monday, Jan. 19, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, extending the weekend break. This shortens the trading week, leaving investors with less time to react if significant news breaks. 2
Disney’s stock has dropped roughly 4% over the past week, per Fintel data. Not a crash, but enough to put DIS in a spot where even minor news could trigger a sharp move. 3
Disney announced that Kathleen Kennedy is stepping down as head of Lucasfilm after more than 13 years. Dave Filoni will step up as president and chief creative officer, working alongside Lynwen Brennan as co-president. Disney CEO Bob Iger praised Kennedy as “a visionary filmmaker,” while Kennedy described leading the studio as “a true privilege.” 4
Some media analysts see the move as a reset ahead of Disney’s effort to relaunch “Star Wars” in theaters. Scott Mendelson, a box-office analyst at Puck, argues Lucasfilm should slow down its TV projects to avoid “watering down” the brand. Paul Dergarabedian of Comscore cautioned that “The commoditization of Star Wars seeped into the creative.” 5
For investors, franchise chatter goes beyond just ticket sales. Major titles boost engagement on Disney+ and often drive consumer products and park attendance, though the timing can be unpredictable and hits don’t come on a set timetable.
Disney’s next big moment arrives with its quarterly report set for Feb. 2 before the market opens, Nasdaq notes. Investors will be watching closely for guidance and the company’s tone, particularly any clues about future streaming margins. 6
Disney plans to report earnings ahead of the opening bell and will hold an audio webcast at 8:30 a.m. ET on Feb. 2. Management will have a direct platform to either challenge doubts or validate them. 7
Investors are keenly awaiting updates on Disney+ profitability, shifts in advertising across its TV segment, and whether demand at U.S. parks remains strong amid more selective spending. Comments on the content pipeline often trigger immediate moves in this stock.
But the risk is clear. A weak streaming or parks report, or rising costs for content and sports, could shift the spotlight from franchises back to margins. With trading volumes thinner over the holidays, such a move could be magnified.
Disney shares resume trading Tuesday, Jan. 20. The next major date investors are eyeing is Feb. 2, when a clearer catalyst is expected to emerge.
