“Avengers” pushes Disney to record profit in quarter

On the strength of Disney’s latest blockbuster, Avengers, the companies earnings rose 31 percent, exceeding Wall Street expectations, boosted by higher spending at theme parks and their latest blockbuster. The companies income rose 24 percent to $1.8 billion at the end of the third quarter. “The Avengers” which has already brought in $1.4 billion in worldwide sales helped to boost the company’s third quarter profits to $313 million over $49 million just a year ago. Chief Executive Bob Iger announced the company had signed a deal with “Avengers” director Joss Whedon to write and direct an “Avengers” sequel, and to help develop a Marvel-based TV series for the ABC broadcast network. Disney “showed great momentum across all their business lines,” said Lazard Capital Markets analyst Barton Crockett, who rates Disney a “buy.” “I thought it was a great quarter.”