Earnings Watch: Disney, Uber, and Barrick Gold Move Markets

Quarterly earnings from The Walt Disney Company, Uber Technologies, and Barrick Gold have landed with notable implications for traders in Contracts for Difference (CFDs) and other online brokerage instruments. Each report hit differently, and all three stocks remain widely followed due to their volatility, sector relevance, and recurring presence on major CFD platforms.

Disney Delivers Stabilization, But Growth Still in Question

Disney beat earnings expectations this quarter as CEO Bob Iger’s cost-cutting campaign showed up in the numbers. Revenue came in flat year-over-year at $23.5 billion, but net income climbed sharply, helped by streamlining operations across its media and entertainment units. EPS hit $1.04, up from $0.70 the year prior. That was enough to send shares higher by over 11% on the day.

But while the bottom line impressed, the top line remains under pressure. Linear television continues its long decline, with viewership and ad sales both slipping. The parks division did better, particularly in the U.S., where per-capita spending helped offset slower international traffic. Disney+ showed minor subscriber growth but remains a cost center for now. Management reaffirmed its target of profitability in streaming by the end of fiscal 2024 — a claim that’s now being priced in as plausible rather than optimistic.

Traders watching Disney as a CFD instrument saw a strong upward reaction to the report, but sentiment around the name remains mixed. There’s cautious optimism, but it hinges on execution. Streaming profitability and asset divestitures — including a potential ESPN stake sale — will be the next critical headlines.

Uber Posts Solid Growth But Investors Want More

Uber reported revenue of $11.53 billion, a 14% year-over-year increase that missed analyst expectations by a narrow margin. Gross bookings rose 21% to $42.8 billion, and the company completed over 3 billion trips in the quarter. EPS came in at $0.83, beating the street, and active platform users grew to 149 million globally.

The ride-hailing business remains the profit engine, but investors are clearly looking for a clearer margin story. Delivery is growing, but costs remain high, and new ventures — including autonomous vehicle testing in partnership with Waymo — are years from being profitable. While Uber’s long-term plans to become a fully integrated mobility platform remain intact, the short-term outlook is drawing mixed reactions.

The stock pulled back modestly after the earnings print, as traders digested forward guidance that lacked catalysts. Still, the underlying business is strong, and for CFD participants, Uber remains a classic volatility play with large intraday swings and tight spreads on most broker platforms.

Barrick Gold Rides the Metal Rally

Barrick Gold delivered a stronger-than-expected quarter as the price of gold surged to all-time highs during the reporting period. The company earned $474 million in net income, up from $295 million a year earlier, with adjusted EPS at $0.35. Operating cash flow jumped 59% to $1.2 billion, and net debt was reduced by 5%, giving the miner greater flexibility heading into the second half of the year.

Barrick’s average realized gold price was $2,898 per ounce, reflecting the macro environment of heightened inflation concerns, geopolitical risk, and central bank buying. Production was slightly lower due to interruptions in Mali, where political instability remains a problem for the Loulo-Gounkoto complex. CEO Mark Bristow has downplayed the risks, but the region remains a wildcard. Meanwhile, succession planning at the top has started, although Bristow is staying in his role for now.

For CFD traders, Barrick remains one of the most liquid single-name proxies for gold. Movements in real yields, inflation expectations, and global macro stress often feed directly into the stock. With gold volatility still elevated, Barrick’s role as both a hedge and directional trade is firmly intact.

Tips for Traders

• Disney’s rally is based on cost control and improved margins — watch for streaming profitability signals and updates on ESPN or asset sales.

• Uber is volatile post-earnings; lack of guidance clarity may lead to choppy price action. Autonomous vehicle headlines could trigger sharp moves.

• Barrick Gold is riding the macro gold trend — ideal for traders seeking exposure to precious metals via equities instead of futures.

• Use tight stops in post-earnings trading as gap risk remains elevated across all three names.

• Keep an eye on USD strength — dollar moves will particularly affect Barrick and to a lesser extent Disney’s international operations.

• These assets are widely available on CFD platforms and tend to be highly responsive around earnings, making them suitable for short-term event-driven strategies.