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GameStop: Not the greatest quarter, but a buy nonetheless?

GameStop (GME) posted what I thought was a mediocre third quarter. Total sales went up about 8%, and earnings per share increased a few pennies to 31 cents. When you think video games, you think growth. That doesn't feel like growth, does it? Not the kind that sends a stock to the moon, certainly. Furthermore, same-store sales saw a decrease of 7.8%, driven by lackluster hardware transactions. Indeed, we may be hitting a point in the console cycle where the demand for systems from Sony (SNE), Microsoft (MSFT), and Nintendo (NTDOY) has essentially been satiated.

Here's the big question on the mind of traders: unimpressive Q3 or not, should GameStop be bought now?

Continue reading GameStop: Not the greatest quarter, but a buy nonetheless?

Electronic Arts not popular with investors after Q2 report

While the big news today may be the release of Activision Blizzard's (ATVI) new Call of Duty title, there's other stuff going on in the world of video games for investors to ponder. Electronic Arts (ERTS) issued its Q2 report yesterday after the bell. The numbers weren't too bad, but the market was not excited at all by them, probably because it knows that EA still has a lot of work to do in terms of better positioning itself for the future.

Adjusted revenues were up a scant 2%. Earnings per share, excluding items, actually showed a profit of 6 cents. This was a lot better than the loss of 6 cents per share seen in the year-ago frame. The company also managed to generate a small amount of cash from operations in the quarter instead of using a whole bunch like it did last time around.

Continue reading Electronic Arts not popular with investors after Q2 report

Earnings highlights: Cisco, Ford, Humana, MasterCard, Starbucks, Toyota ...

Here are some highlights from last week's earnings coverage from BloggingStocks:

Continue reading Earnings highlights: Cisco, Ford, Humana, MasterCard, Starbucks, Toyota ...

Activision Blizzard's Q3: Am I right to be bearish?

Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI) published third-quarter results on Thursday after the bell. I can't say I was wholly taken with them. I know the best is probably yet to come once the Christmas shopping season really gets under way, but I was a little disappointed that the company saw a decline in adjusted profit.

Excluding items, Activision Blizzard made 4 cents per share this quarter versus the 7 cents per share made in last year's similar period. Well, did I say I was a little disappointed? Make that a lot disappointed. After all, this is supposed to be the publisher with the best pipeline on the block, the one with the Guitar Hero franchise and a great portfolio of licensed intellectual properties.

Continue reading Activision Blizzard's Q3: Am I right to be bearish?

Video value? New titles boost gaming sector

"The video game industry was once thought to be virtually recession proof; unfortunately, recession reality has intruded," notes Geoffrey Seiler, who adds, "Boosters, however, are pointing to new games scheduled for release later this year as a reason for optimism."

In his always-informative BullMarket.com, the advisors offers an in-depth review of the sector, highlights potential opportunities in GameStop (NYSE: GME), Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS), and Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI).

"When you get right down to it, success in the video game business isn't much different from the movie business: developers are only as good as their last hit game.

Continue reading Video value? New titles boost gaming sector

Activision Blizzard booted from Conviction Buy list

Bright and early this morning, Goldman Sachs downgraded gaming guru Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI) from Conviction Buy to Buy. In a note to clients, the brokerage firm explained that it sees greater relative potential for near-term price appreciation in other stocks. Goldman maintains a six-month price target of $16 on ATVI, implying expected upside of more than 29% from the shares' closing price on Wednesday.

ATVI is a ripe target for downgrades, if only because analysts are so lopsidedly optimistic toward the "Guitar Hero" parent. Zacks reports that the equity has attracted no fewer than 18 Strong Buy recommendations, plus two Buys -- with not a single Hold, Sell, or Strong Sell to be found.

Continue reading Activision Blizzard booted from Conviction Buy list

GameStop: Trade idea?

September is drawing to a close. What does this signify? Well, one of my favorite times of the year, Halloween, will soon be upon us. Even more than that, holiday shopping is about to begin in earnest. Is your portfolio ready?

I've been checking around for investments in the retail sector. Problem is, so many of them have already had significant run-ups. However, even with these higher stock prices, the sector still might be an interesting one to look at since it's possible that Christmas could turn out okay. A post on DailyFinance discusses a report from the International Council of Shopping Centers, which basically states that numbers from this holiday season should see an improvement over last year's data.

Continue reading GameStop: Trade idea?

Earnings highlights: AutoZone, Carnival, CarMax, ConAgra, General Mills, RIM ...

Here are some highlights from last week's earnings coverage from BloggingStocks:

Continue reading Earnings highlights: AutoZone, Carnival, CarMax, ConAgra, General Mills, RIM ...

Will the new cost of the Wii benefit Nintendo investors?

It's finally happened. Nintendo (OTC: NTDOY) has reduced the price of its Wii gaming console. What once was $250 is now $200 (or, technically, $199.99, the psychologically important way of designating the new cost).

Why did Nintendo do this? Because both Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) and Sony (NYSE: SNE) have cut the costs of their own entertainment systems. Plus, we're simply at that point in the latest video-game cycle when cuts are implemented. Hardware eventually becomes less expensive. When demand levels fall off, more casual, value-oriented consumers are courted with cheaper prices.

Continue reading Will the new cost of the Wii benefit Nintendo investors?

Activision Blizzard still looking good?

Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI) remains confident in its guidance for full-year earnings. According to StreetInsider.com, management is still looking for sales of $4.5 billion on the top line and adjusted earnings of 63 cents per share on the bottom line.

The publisher, which competes with Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS), should benefit from recent hardware price cuts made by Sony Corporation (NYSE: SNE) and Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT). With more units in the field, there most likely will be higher demand for Activision Blizzard's awesome pipeline, which includes Call of Duty.

Continue reading Activision Blizzard still looking good?

Viacom satisfied with start of 'The Beatles: Rock Band'

According to GameSpot, execs at Viacom (NYSE: VIA) are pleased with the initial acceptance by consumers for its high-profile game The Beatles: Rock Band. The company said that expectations for the title, which is distributed by Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS), have been surpassed, and that a quarter of the inventory has already moved off retail shelves. Impressive.

Recently, I wrote an article about The Beatles game and how it might impact the Guitar Hero franchise from Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI). I'm a shareholder of the latter, so I'm obviously biased on the subject. I want Rock Band's competitor to win the battle, no question.

Continue reading Viacom satisfied with start of 'The Beatles: Rock Band'

Electronic Arts misses with Madden?

The news for video games isn't improving, I'm sorry to say. My colleague Mark Fightmaster recently discussed the disappointing industry sales results observed in the month of August. As he pointed out, total revenues for the sector have now dropped six times in a row.

Oh, that doesn't feel nice at all. I own shares of Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI), and I have to admit, the trend does send an icy chill down my spine. But I'll bet shareholders of Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) feel even worse. August, of course, is a big month for them. The latest version of the Madden football franchise is released during the latter part of summer. Unfortunately, this year's game seems to have been a disappointment in terms of units sold.

Continue reading Electronic Arts misses with Madden?

Changing media consumption habits? We still luv luv luv our TV

Wondering where to put your money in the race for entertainment eyeballs? Before you buy into the hoopla surrounding video via smart phone, check out the latest Nielsen Three Screen Report. Couch surfing remains a strong American favorite.

The amount of time we spend watching TV at home actually increased by 2 hours and 2 minutes per month in the second quarter of 2009 over a year ago, up to 141+ hours, or 4.7 hours per day. Time-shifting (Tivoing) those TV selections is growing in popularity very quickly, up almost 20% in the same one-year period.

Continue reading Changing media consumption habits? We still luv luv luv our TV

Will The Beatles threaten Activision Blizzard?

I've been a faithful Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI) shareholder for a while now. Sure, I've thought of booking my profits at times, but so far, I've held tight on my long-term position (note: I did do a quick trade with the stock earlier in the summer).

The Guitar Hero franchise is one of the reasons why I keep holding the stock. I figure a lot of units tied to the brand will be sold this holiday season. However, there is a looming threat. Viacom (NYSE: VIA) and Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) are set to release The Beatles: Rock Band. The street date is September 9, and analysts will be watching the early sales very carefully to see how the dynamic shapes up.

Continue reading Will The Beatles threaten Activision Blizzard?

Take-Two Interactive reports Q3 loss

Fair or not, Take-Two Interactive (NASDAQ: TTWO) has a reputation for a shallow pipeline of shareholder-enhancing software. It is known simply as the Grand Theft Auto publisher. There's more to Take-Two, of course. There are sports titles, for example. There's BioShock. How about the big hit for the Nintendo (OTC: NTDOY) Wii, Carnival Games? What about Borderlands?

That's all well and good, but if you look at the company's latest earnings report, you'll have no choice but to conclude that the one-game reputation is firmly intact.

Take-Two's top line plummeted 68% during the fiscal third quarter. Net loss on an adjusted basis came to 66 cents per share. There was a huge profit of 93 cents per share in the year-ago period, driven by the fourth edition of Grand Theft Auto. Not a great comparison. At least the performance was a little better than expectations. According to Earnings.com, Wall Street was calling for a loss of around 68 cents per share.

Continue reading Take-Two Interactive reports Q3 loss

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Symbol Lookup
IndexesChangePrice
DJIA-14.2810,318.16
NASDAQ-10.782,146.04
S&P 500-3.521,091.38

Last updated: November 20, 2009: 07:38 PM

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