The Walt Disney Company (DIS) will report its earnings for Q1 FY2013 on February 5, 2013. As an investor, you should listen to Disney's conference call and look for the news regarding ESPN, the implementation of the My Magic+ Magic Band system at Walt Disney Word, revenue due to reduced Cap-Ex spending, Disney UTV, and the Infinity Game as five signals for growth. Disney has already reached all-time highs in the value of its stock, nevertheless Disney is poised to grow.

1. ESPN Becoming The Place To See Post-Season College Football

ESPN is a significant portion of Disney's business. ESPN will become the place to see post-season college football. ESPN recently purchased all the rights to show post-season bowl games through the selection of a national champion, which includes showing the Orange Bowl, the Fiesta Bowl, the Sugar Bowl, the Rose Bowl and the BCS Championship game.

ESPN previously

(AAPL) - Apple, Inc. reported earnings on January 23, 2013 which caused its stock to tumble to a low of $457.30/share and a believed to be close of $463.49 as reported on Yahoo! Finance. Apple blamed its performance in part upon supply constraints. As this author stated on July 30, 2012, Apple may experience supply constraints due to a shortage in 28 nm chips. Apple, by its own words appeared to have suffered just such a shortage resulting in lower iPhone 5 sales than expected and failure to meet demand, i.e. "constrained supply", for both iPhone 4 & 5.

iPhone 5 Inventory Problems

In response to a question by Bill Shope - Goldman Sachs, Tim Cook, CEO of Apple responded as follows:

Bill, let me take the second half of that and then I'll hand it back to Peter for the first half. If you look at the iPhone sales

The BlackBerry 10 may very well save Research in Motion, Ltd. (RIMM) and allow it to rise like a phoenix.

1. 80 million subscribers - Research in Motion, Ltd is reported as having 80 million subscribers. These subscribers have used RIM and its services despite being promised a new smartphone previously and being disappointed; 80 million subscribers who are still around and loyal to RIM. Apple lost its loyalty through its planned obsolescence and as reported here. Anecdotally, the reporter spoke to a master electrician and small business owner, who was thrilled to know that Blackberry had a new smartphone. The master electrician said "thank you for letting me know, I have an upgrade on my plan and I was a heavy user of Blackberry back in the day." RIM is also present in emerging markets, where it can compete effectively as the newcomer on the block.

Apple's (AAPL) iPhone 5 is the next touted product launch rumored for October, 2012. In my opinion, Qualcomm (QCOM), the expected sole supplier for the iPhone 5's discrete baseband may be having supply issues regarding this 28 nanometer chip.

China's First Financial Times reported that shortages in the 28 nm chips would delay the Apple iPhone 5 release --perhaps it is only rumor. As of the writing of this article, however, neither Apple nor Qualcomm has made an official statement regarding this news report.

While Qualcomm apparently is the sole supplier of the discrete baseband for Apple's iPhone 5, Qualcomm does not fabricate its own 28 nm chips. Qualcomm has stated that it is having 28nm chip supply issues and has sought assistance. During its earnings conference call, Qualcomm stated that it had chosen 4 suppliers for the 28 nm chips, for reasons set forth below these suppliers

The Walt Disney Co. (DIS) cautioned investors that when looking at the box office earnings of "John Carter," its film division would likely post a loss in the amount of approximately $200 million for Q2 2012. However, in spite of this cautionary warning, the Walt Disney Co should be relatively unaffected in its overall success this fiscal year based upon the performance of John Carter compared with its losses from the 2011 fiscal year "Mars Needs Moms."

Box Office Mojo reported that "Mars Needs Moms" cost $150 Million to produce but only grossed approximately $38.99 Million in both U.S. domestic box office sales and worldwide. Disney suffered a loss from this movie; however, the Walt Disney Co (pdf) did not even report this impairment or loss under its Business Segment - Studio Entertainment operating results and explanations as part of its FY 2011 explanation of earnings

The Walt Disney Company (DIS) reported its Q1 2012 results Feb. 7 [see transcript]. Please don't miss three things when reviewing this earning report and other information: free cash flow, increased EPS, and acquisition of UTV. When considering that Disney did not significantly increase its overall revenue, Disney must be managing itself well to create a cash flow surplus and outperform EPS expectations. At the same time, Disney is increasing its breadth of content, international exposure, and ability to produce content with the anticipated acquisition of a controlling interest in UTV.

Disney presented its Q1 2012 results, which are listed on Disney's website, and set forth on the very front page the figures which form the bases for the views expressed herein.

Overlooked Item #1: Examine carefully, and you will see that Disney increased its free cash flow by more than 100% from the same quarter last year: