MUMBAI: Walt Disney Co. expects fiscal 2004 earnings from continuing operations to increase by more than 40 per cent this year - a more optimistic view than the entertainment company's previous forecasts for growth of 30 per cent or more.

"Given the performance we're seeing in our businesses, we remain confident in our ability to deliver attractive growth in our earnings," Disney CFO Tom Scaggs said in a brief statement.

According to a media report, the company expects more than 40 per cent growth, assuming a continuation of favorable economic trends and conditions, from earnings per share of 65 cents in fiscal 2003.

A rise of 40 per cent suggests earnings per share of at least 91 cents. The report said that the company's statement comes following a lacklustre performance by its high-budget movie The Alamo.

The fiscal 2004 ends on 30 September.