MUMBAI: The Walt Disney Company reported earnings for its first fiscal quarter ended December 29, 2007. Diluted earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter were $0.63. EPS in the prior-year quarter, which included gains on sales of interests in E! Entertainment and US Weekly, income from the discontinued operations of the ABC Radio business, and an equity-based compensation plan modification charge, were $0.79.

Excluding these items, EPS increased 29% to $0.63 from $0.49 in the prior-year quarter.

“We’ve started off 2008 with another outstanding quarter, marked by strong creative and operational performances. These results once again highlight the quality of our content and our unique ability to leverage it across our many businesses and territories,” said Walt Disney president and chief executive officer Robert A. Iger.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2008, the company repurchased 31 million shares for $1.0 billion.