Desperate housewives and a potbellied superhero helped Walt Disney Co. continue its financial rebound as the company Wednesday posted a 30% earnings jump in its fiscal second quarter.

Disney's profit of $698 million, or 33 cents a share, was a shade above Wall Street estimates and contrasts with the $537 million, or 26 cents, it earned a year earlier. Revenue in the period ended April 2 climbed 9% to $7.8 billion.

The Burbank-based entertainment giant's results were boosted by the recovery at the ABC network, which has benefited from such hits as "Desperate Housewives" and "Lost." DVD sales from the animated hit film "The Incredibles" also were a key factor.

Theme park results improved and are expected to get a further boost from the company's worldwide celebration of Disneyland's 50th anniversary.

"Overall they had a solid quarter," said Jeffrey Logsdon, an analyst at Harris Nesbitt. "Most of the divisions are operating in a healthy manner."

Disney's top brass predicted double-digit earnings growth for 2005.

"We're on a path right now to continue this trend," Chief Executive-designate Robert Iger said in an interview. "That's very good news."

The robust earnings come at an opportune time for Iger, Disney's president, who was tapped in March to succeed Michael Eisner. Eisner plans to retire Sept. 30 after 21 years as chief.  

(Agencies)

potbellied : having a large belly（大腹便便的）

top brass: the most important persons in a governing body（要員，高級官員）