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Is There More Upside For EA Stock?
EAElectronic Arts(EA) Forbes·2025-02-07 11:00

Core Viewpoint - Electronic Arts reported mixed Q3 fiscal 2025 results, with revenues missing expectations but earnings exceeding estimates, leading to a lowered full-year outlook and an accelerated share repurchase plan [1][3]. Financial Performance - Q3 revenues were 1.9billion,down31.9 billion, down 3% year-over-year, attributed to lower contributions from EA Sports FC Ultimate Team and Apex Legends, alongside softer demand for Dragon Age [3]. - Net bookings for the quarter were 2.22 billion, below the consensus estimate of 2.32billion,whileearningspersharewere2.32 billion, while earnings per share were 1.11, slightly above the expected 1.08[1][3].Theoperatingmarginexpandedby120basispointsto201.08 [1][3]. - The operating margin expanded by 120 basis points to 20% in Q3, and profit per share increased by 4% from 1.07 in the prior-year quarter [3]. Future Outlook - The company lowered its full-year outlook, expecting bookings between 7.0billionand7.0 billion and 7.15 billion and adjusted earnings per share between 6.25and6.25 and 6.65 for fiscal 2025, compared to 7.4billioninbookingsand7.4 billion in bookings and 6.92 adjusted earnings per share in fiscal 2024 [3]. - The stock surged 8% post-announcement, driven by investor optimism regarding the 1 billion share buyback plan [4]. Stock Performance - EA stock has underperformed the S&P 500 index, with a -4% return since the beginning of 2024, while the S&P 500 is up 27% [2]. - Over the last four years, EA stock returns were -8% in 2021, -7% in 2022, 13% in 2023, and 7% in 2024, indicating a lackluster performance compared to the index [4]. Valuation - The estimated valuation for Electronic Arts is 142 per share, approximately 9% above its current market price, based on a forward expected earnings multiple of 21x for 2025 [6].