Disney announced plans to reinstate dividend payments by late 2024, marking a significant move after suspending them during the pandemic. The suspension originally occurred in 2020 as part of a strategy to conserve cash during challenging times, particularly as the company faced disruptions across its theme parks and film productions. CEO Bob Iger highlighted this dividend restoration as part of Disney's broader financial recovery strategy, which includes restructuring and cutting costs by reducing its workforce by around 7,000 jobs.

The decision to bring back dividends aligns with Disney’s efforts to restore investor confidence and improve shareholder value. This shift also reflects the company’s increased focus on profitability, particularly following its investment in streaming services like Disney+ and the broader direct-to-consumer segment.

While the exact details of the dividend policy are still unfolding, this move indicates a return to more traditional shareholder returns as Disney navigates its evolving business landscape.