On Thursday, the Walt Disney Company declared a cash dividend of $0.66 per share for the first six months of fiscal 2015.

With this dividend, Disney will begin paying dividends on a semi-annual basis, rather than once a year.

Robert A. Iger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, "Disney delivered significant increases in revenue, net income and EPS for the first half of fiscal 2015. We are pleased to raise our dividend 15% on an annualized basis, as well as increasing the frequency of our dividend payments".

The company posted record profit for the past four years as investments in films and theme-park attractions drew more customers to its properties. The top two domestic films of 2015 are 'Avengers: Age Of Ultron' and Cinderella.

The hits obtained returns long after they've left theatres through merchandise sales, TV airings and theme-park attendance. Since 2011, Disney has more than doubled its dividend. Still, based on the new annual rate of $1.32 a share, the company's projected yield is 1.2 %. That compares with the current 2% for the Standard & Poor's 500.

The company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international entertainment and media enterprise with five business segments, which include media networks, parks and resorts, studio entertainment, consumer products and interactive. Disney is a Dow 30 company and had annual revenues of $48.8 billion in its Fiscal Year 2014.

Disney rose less than 1% to $114.25 in extended trading after the announcement. The stock was down fractionally to $113.77 at the close in New York and has gained 21% in 2015.