Core Insights - Electronic Arts (EA) reported quarterly earnings of $1.54 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.11 per share, and up from $1.37 per share a year ago, representing an earnings surprise of 38.74% [1] - The company generated revenues of $1.8 billion for the quarter ended March 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 15.09%, compared to $1.67 billion in the same quarter last year [2] - EA has outperformed the S&P 500, with shares increasing about 5.8% since the beginning of the year, while the S&P 500 has declined by 3.9% [3] Earnings Outlook - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $0.50 on revenues of $1.27 billion, and for the current fiscal year, it is $7.53 on revenues of $7.59 billion [7] - The estimate revisions trend for EA is mixed, resulting in a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating expected performance in line with the market in the near future [6] Industry Context - The Gaming industry, to which EA belongs, is currently ranked in the bottom 45% of over 250 Zacks industries, which may impact stock performance [8] - Another company in the same industry, Super League Enterprise, is expected to report a quarterly loss of $0.37 per share, reflecting a year-over-year change of +63%, with revenues projected at $4.5 million, up 6.9% from the previous year [9]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For FY 2025, the company reported net bookings of $7.36 billion, a decrease of 1% year-over-year [24] - Full game net bookings were $2.02 billion, up 1%, driven by strong performance in EA Sports College Football '25 and new releases [25] - Live services net bookings were $5.34 billion, down 2%, impacted by a decline in Apex Legends and softness in FC Ultimate Team [25] - The company achieved a gross margin of 79.3%, an improvement of nearly 200 basis points, due to lower licensing fees [26] - Operating expenses increased by 2% to $4.4 billion, while earnings per share rose to $4.25 [26] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - EA SPORTS FC saw a significant rebound in engagement and monetization following a major gameplay update in January, leading to double-digit growth in player engagement [5][8] - The American football ecosystem generated over $1 billion in net bookings, up over 70% year-over-year, with a 68% increase in hours played [9][10] - The Sims franchise delivered over 30% net bookings growth in Q4, driven by the 25th anniversary celebrations and new content releases [12][29] - The successful launch of the new IP, Split Fiction, resulted in nearly 4 million units sold, exceeding expectations [13] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - FC Mobile engagement and acquisition were up over 20% year-over-year, with significant growth in key mobile markets [9] - The company noted that its largest mobile markets differ from its largest HD markets, indicating a successful expansion strategy [9] - The American football ecosystem's engagement trends remained strong, with Q4 average weekly active users higher than the fiscal year average [28] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to broaden its reach into additional markets and enhance app experiences through strategic partnerships [11] - Future growth is expected to be driven by live services, new game launches, and building global fandom [15][18] - The company plans to transform The Sims into a unified ecosystem across games, marketplaces, and social spaces [18] - The acquisition of TRACECAP is expected to enhance gameplay authenticity and immersion [19] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to navigate near-term economic uncertainty, emphasizing the resilience of its franchises [39][78] - The company anticipates continued growth in its American football and global football franchises, leveraging the increasing popularity of these sports [20][70] - Management highlighted the importance of community engagement and feedback in shaping future game developments [61] Other Important Information - The company returned over $2.7 billion to stockholders through stock repurchases and dividends in FY 2025 [26] - The upcoming fiscal year is expected to see net bookings of $7.6 billion to $8 billion, reflecting a growth of 3% to 9% year-over-year [30][31] Q&A Session Summary Question: What were the main issues during the temporary slowdown in FC and how were they fixed? - Management noted that temporary slowdowns are not unusual for large franchises and attributed the slowdown to a lack of migration from the previous title and feedback from competitive players regarding gameplay tuning [44][49][54] Question: How does the company view the long-term growth profile and live services? - Management reiterated confidence in the long-term growth framework, emphasizing the importance of live services and new titles in driving growth [55][56] Question: What are the key learnings from the Battlefield beta testing? - Management highlighted the importance of community feedback in shaping the game and ensuring alignment with player expectations, which has been a significant focus for the development team [60][62] Question: How does the company view the competitive landscape for American football? - Management expressed optimism about the growth of American football, citing the increasing engagement and fandom in the sport, and plans to deepen connections between college and NFL products [70][72] Question: How does the company plan to navigate potential macroeconomic challenges? - Management believes that the entertainment industry, particularly its franchises, has shown resilience during economic downturns and expects to continue delivering value to players [78][80]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For FY 2025, the company reported net bookings of $7.36 billion, a decrease of 1% year-over-year [23] - Net revenue was $7.46 billion, also down 1% [25] - The company generated free cash flow of $1.86 billion, returning 145% of this amount, or $2.7 billion, to shareholders through stock repurchases and dividends [26][34] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - EA SPORTS FC saw a significant rebound in engagement and monetization, with player engagement up double digits following a major gameplay update [6][22] - The American football ecosystem surpassed $1 billion in net bookings, up over 70% year-over-year, driven by strong postseason engagement [9][24] - The Sims franchise delivered over 30% net bookings growth in Q4, marking its best fourth-quarter performance ever [12][29] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - FC Mobile continues to exceed expectations with over 20% growth in new player acquisition and daily active users year-over-year [7][8] - The company noted that its four largest mobile markets differ from its largest HD markets, indicating successful global reach [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to broaden its reach into additional markets with new strategic partners and enhance app experiences [11] - Upcoming launches include iconic franchises like Skate and Battlefield, with a focus on community engagement and innovative gameplay [14][15] - The company aims to transform The Sims into a unified ecosystem across games, marketplaces, and social spaces [17] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to navigate potential economic uncertainties, emphasizing the resilience of the gaming industry [39][78] - The company anticipates continued growth driven by its core franchises and the upcoming World Cup in 2026, which presents a significant opportunity [19][34] Other Important Information - The company is investing in AI to enhance game development and player experiences, viewing it as a powerful accelerator of creativity [20] - The company has a strong return of capital program, aiming to return at least 80% of free cash flow to shareholders through stock repurchases and dividends [34] Q&A Session Summary Question: What were the main issues during the temporary slowdown in EA SPORTS FC and how were they addressed? - Management noted that temporary slowdowns are not unusual for large franchises and attributed the slowdown to a lack of migration from the previous title and feedback from competitive players regarding gameplay tuning [44][54] Question: How does the company view continued growth in live services and new titles? - Management reiterated confidence in the growth framework shared during Investor Day, emphasizing the potential for margin expansion and cash flow growth [55] Question: What key learnings have emerged from the Battlefield beta testing? - The company highlighted the importance of community feedback in shaping the game, noting that this approach has led to overwhelming positive responses and deeper engagement [60][62] Question: How does the company plan to navigate potential macroeconomic challenges? - Management expressed optimism about the resilience of the gaming industry, emphasizing the fundamental human need for entertainment and the value provided by gaming experiences [78] Question: How does the company view pricing power for its IP? - Management indicated that the business model has evolved, allowing for a range of pricing strategies, and emphasized the importance of delivering quality and value to players [80]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For FY 2025, the company reported net bookings of $7.36 billion, a decrease of 1% year-over-year [25] - Full game net bookings were $2.02 billion, up 1%, driven by strong performance in EA Sports College Football '25 and new releases [26] - Live services net bookings were $5.34 billion, down 2%, impacted by a decline in Apex Legends and softness in FC Ultimate Team [26] - The company achieved a gross margin of 79.3%, an improvement of nearly 200 basis points, due to lower licensing fees [26] - Operating expenses increased by 2% to $4.4 billion, with earnings per share at $4.25 [27] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - EA SPORTS FC saw a significant rebound in engagement and monetization following a major gameplay update in January, leading to double-digit growth in player engagement [6][9] - The American football ecosystem, including Madden NFL and college football, generated over $1 billion in net bookings, up over 70% year-over-year [10][25] - The Sims franchise delivered over 30% net bookings growth in Q4, driven by the 20th birthday celebrations and new content releases [30] - The successful launch of the new IP, Split Fiction, resulted in nearly 4 million units sold, exceeding expectations [14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - FC Mobile engagement and acquisition were up over 20% year-over-year, with significant growth in key mobile markets [10] - The company noted that its four largest mobile markets differ from its largest HD markets, indicating a successful expansion strategy [10] - The American football ecosystem's engagement remained strong post-season, with increased monetization opportunities during the offseason [11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to broaden its reach into additional markets with new strategic partners and enhance app experiences [12] - Upcoming launches include iconic franchises like Skate and Battlefield, with a focus on community engagement and player feedback [16][17] - The company aims to transform The Sims into a unified ecosystem across games, marketplaces, and social spaces [19] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to navigate potential economic uncertainties, emphasizing the resilience of the gaming industry [41][80] - The company anticipates continued growth driven by live services, new game launches, and the upcoming 2026 World Cup [19][36] - Management highlighted the importance of community engagement and feedback in shaping future game developments [64] Other Important Information - The company returned over $2.7 billion to stockholders through stock repurchases and dividends, representing 145% of free cash flow [27] - The company expects net bookings for FY 2026 to be between $7.6 billion and $8 billion, reflecting a growth of 3% to 9% year-over-year [32] Q&A Session Questions and Answers Question: What were the main issues during the temporary slowdown in FC and how were they fixed? - Management noted that the slowdown was not unusual for large franchises and was attributed to a lack of migration from the previous title and feedback from the core competitive cohort regarding gameplay tuning [46][51][56] Question: How does the company view the growth investments behind Battlefield? - Management indicated that the primary growth investment for Battlefield is in go-to-market costs, with continued investment post-launch expected [66] Question: How does the company expect American football to perform in the coming year? - Management expressed optimism about the growth of American football, citing the increasing popularity of the sport and the potential for deeper connections between college and NFL products [70][72] Question: What areas of the business are most sensitive to macroeconomic changes? - Management highlighted the resilience of the gaming industry during economic downturns, emphasizing the fundamental need for entertainment and the value provided by gaming [79][80] Question: How does the company view pricing power for its IP? - Management stated that the business model has evolved, allowing for a range of pricing strategies, and emphasized the importance of delivering quality and value to players [81][84]

Financial Highlights - FY25 net bookings reached $7430 million[10], a decrease of 1% year-over-year[10] - Live Services represented 73% of total FY25 net bookings, amounting to $5425.9 million[7, 10] - American Football delivered over $1 billion in net bookings in FY25[7] - Total FY25 Return on Capital (through Stock Repurchase Program & Cash Dividends) was $2700 million[7] - FY25 Free Cash Flow was $1900 million[7] Q4 FY25 Performance - Q4 FY25 net bookings totaled $1799 million[9], an increase of 8% year-over-year[9] - Full game net bookings in Q4 FY25 were $384 million[9], up 48% year-over-year[9] - Live services and other net bookings in Q4 FY25 were $1415 million[9], up 1% year-over-year[9] FY26 Guidance - The company expects FY26 net revenue to be between $7100 million and $7500 million[19] - GAAP EPS for FY26 is projected to be in the range of $309 to $379[19] - The company anticipates operating cash flow for FY26 to be between $2200 million and $2400 million[19]

Core Insights - Electronic Arts (EA) exceeded fiscal fourth-quarter bookings estimates, leading to a 7% increase in shares [1] - The company anticipates fiscal 2026 bookings between $7.60 billion and $8 billion, surpassing StreetAccount's estimate of $7.62 billion [1] - Net bookings for fiscal 2025 reached $7.355 billion [1] Financial Performance - First-quarter bookings guidance is projected between $1.175 billion and $1.275 billion, falling short of analyst expectations of $1.275 billion [2] - Earnings per share reported at 98 cents, not comparable to analyst estimates [3] - Revenue (bookings) for the quarter was $1.80 billion, exceeding the expected $1.56 billion [3] Contributions to Growth - CEO Andrew Wilson highlighted that the company's FC and College Football games significantly contributed to a strong year of bookings [2]

Financial Performance - Net bookings for FY25 totaled $7.355 billion, with EA SPORTS portfolio achieving record net bookings[6] - EA's American Football franchise exceeded $1 billion in net bookings for FY25[6] - Net revenue for FY25 was $7.463 billion, a slight decrease from $7.562 billion in FY24[9] - Net income for FY25 was $1.121 billion, down from $1.273 billion in FY24[9] - Diluted earnings per share for FY25 were $4.25, compared to $4.68 in FY24[9] - Net revenue for the twelve months ended March 31, 2025, was $7,463 million, a decrease of 1% compared to $7,562 million in 2024[34] - For Q1 FY25, net revenue increased by 7% to $1,895 million compared to $1,779 million in Q1 FY24[37] Future Projections - For Q1 FY26, net bookings are expected to be approximately $1.175 billion to $1.275 billion[7] - Fiscal year 2026 net bookings are projected to be between $7.600 billion and $8.000 billion[7] - The company expects FY26 net revenue guidance to range from $7,100 million to $7,500 million[40] - Operating margin guidance for FY26 is projected to be between 16.3% and 18.9%[40] Cash Flow and Shareholder Returns - Operating cash flow for FY25 was $2.079 billion, down from $2.315 billion in FY24[9] - EA repurchased 9.8 million shares for $1.375 billion during Q4 FY25, totaling 17.6 million shares for $2.500 billion in FY25[6] - EA declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.19 per share, payable on June 18, 2025[5] - Free cash flow for Q4 FY25 was $495 million, a decrease of 6% year-over-year[31] Quarterly Performance - Net revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2025, was $1,895 million, a 7% increase compared to $1,779 million in the same period of 2024[22] - Gross profit for the same period was $1,527 million, representing 81% of net revenue, up from 76% in the previous year[28] - Operating income increased to $395 million, which is 21% of net revenue, compared to 13% in Q4 FY24[28] - Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2025, was $254 million, a 40% increase from $182 million in the same period of 2024[28] - Diluted earnings per share rose to $0.98, a 46% increase from $0.67 in the prior year[28] Balance Sheet Highlights - Total current assets decreased to $3,276 million from $4,247 million year-over-year[24] - Total liabilities increased slightly to $5,982 million from $5,907 million in the previous year[24] - Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period were $2,136 million, down from $2,900 million a year earlier[24] - The company reported a deferred net revenue of $1,700 million for online-enabled games, down from $1,814 million in the previous year[24] Operating Metrics - GAAP operating income for the same period was $1,520 million, slightly up from $1,518 million in 2024[34] - Non-GAAP operating income decreased by 2% to $2,331 million from $2,384 million year-over-year[34] - GAAP operating margin improved to 20.8% in Q1 FY25 from 13.2% in Q1 FY24[37] - Total stock-based compensation for Q4 FY25 was $162 million, up from $148 million in Q4 FY24[34] Taxation - The tax rate used for management reporting remained consistent at 19% for both years[28]

Group 1 - Major League Soccer (MLS) is partnering with Electronic Arts (EA) to stream four MLS matches this season on EA Sports FC Mobile [1][3] - The first match will be available for free streaming on May 10, featuring a rematch between the Los Angeles Galaxy and New York Red Bulls, following the Galaxy's victory in the 2024 final [2] - All matches will be simulcast with Apple TV's MLS Season Pass, which holds exclusive media rights, and EA FC Mobile players will receive a free one-month trial of the Season Pass along with in-game currency [3] Group 2 - This partnership marks EA's first venture into live streaming sports, capitalizing on the growing audience for live sports across media platforms [4] - The collaboration comes after a challenging quarter for EA, attributed to the underperformance of its games, particularly the EA Sports FC franchise [4] - EA is set to report its next quarterly earnings on Tuesday, which may provide further insights into the impact of this partnership on its financial performance [4]

Core Viewpoint - Electronic Arts (EA) is expected to report its fourth-quarter fiscal 2025 results on May 6, with anticipated GAAP revenues between $1.682 billion and $1.832 billion and earnings per share ranging from 65 cents to $1 [1][2]. Revenue and Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal fourth-quarter revenues is $1.56 billion, reflecting a decline of 6.18% from the previous year [2]. - The consensus for fiscal fourth-quarter earnings is $1.11 per share, indicating an 18.98% decrease from the year-ago figure, with a 4.3% downward revision in estimates over the past 30 days [3]. Performance Factors - EA's Global Football franchise is projected to experience a low double-digit decline in net bookings for the fourth quarter, following a mid-single-digit decline in Q3, due to challenges in player acquisition and engagement [5]. - The release of the new co-op action-adventure game, Split Fiction, on March 6, is expected to partially offset declines in other franchises, priced at $49.99 [6]. - The announcement of F1 25 is likely to have a modest impact on bookings due to its release in the next fiscal year, while the acquisition of TRACAB Technologies is not expected to materially affect Q4 results [7]. Year-over-Year Comparisons - EA anticipates fourth-quarter net bookings between $1.444 billion and $1.594 billion, representing a decline of 4-13% year-over-year [9]. - The American Football titles are performing well, with expectations to surpass $1 billion in net bookings for fiscal 2025, although the upcoming College Football 26 release is outside this reporting period [8]. Future Outlook - Investors should monitor engagement metrics across EA's sports franchises and insights regarding the fiscal 2026 pipeline, which includes major releases like College Football 26 and Battlefield, as these could signal a potential return to growth [10].

The upcoming report from Electronic Arts (EA) is expected to reveal quarterly earnings of $1.11 per share, indicating a decline of 19% compared to the year-ago period. Analysts forecast revenues of $1.56 billion, representing a decrease of 6.2% year over year.Over the past 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been adjusted upward by 148% to its current level. This demonstrates the covering analysts' collective reassessment of their initial projections during this period.Prior to a company ...