Why the Gaming Stocks Sector Should Be on Your Investing Radar
Companies / Sector Analysis Oct 24, 2013 - 09:44 AM GMT
George Leong writes: With the upcoming release of new video consoles from Sony Corporation (NYSE/SNE) and Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ/MSFT), the video game sector appears to be set to experience a revival, as my stock analysis indicates.
According to NPG Group, the U.S. sales of video game-related hardware, software, and accessories surged by 27% year-over-year to $1.08 billion in September. (Source: The NPD Group, Inc. web site, last accessed October 22, 2013.) The sale of software, specifically, surged 52% to $754 million, accounting for 70% of total sales. Yet with the debut of two new consoles in November (Sony’s “PlayStation4” and Microsoft’s “Xbox One”), my stock analysis indicates that sales in the hardware sector will pick up, giving a boost to the share prices of Microsoft and Sony.
In the hardware area, Microsoft has done well with its Xbox console in spite of its lag in sales compared to Sony’s PlayStation console, based on my stock analysis. Yet the move by Microsoft into the gaming and entertainment console market is a big selling point for the company, as my stock analysis points out. (Read “Why Microsoft May Finally Be Set to Turn Its Fortune Around.”)
I know my son is anxiously anticipating the release of the PS4 and, in particular, the “NBA Live 14” game that is made by one of the top games developers Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ/EA). Electronic Arts (EA) develops games for the Xbox, PlayStation, and ”Nintendo Wii” consoles. The company also develops games for mobile phones and tablets.
EA games are broad in scope and include action, military, sports, racing, simulation, strategy, family, kids, music, and puzzle-based games. Popular titles include “The Sims,” “Madden NFL,” “NBA,” “NHL,” “FIFA Soccer,” and numerous other lines.
The company has beat quarterly earnings-per-share (EPS) estimates in three of the past four quarters.
On the chart of EA below, note the upward price channel and the recent bullish golden cross, as indicated by the shaded oval. A surge could see the stock jump above $30.00, based on my stock analysis.
Chart courtesy of www.StockCharts.com
A second software games developer I like is Activision Blizzard, Inc. (NASDAQ/ATVI), based on my stock analysis. The company is best known for its hugely successful “Call of Duty” series.
According to Thomson Financial, Activision Blizzard is estimated to make $0.89 per diluted share in 2013, and $1.28 per diluted share in 2013; revenues are projected to fall 13.9% this year, rallying 8.5% to $4.66 billion in 2014.
On a quarterly basis, Activision Blizzard has beaten EPS estimates in each of its last four quarters.
As my stock analysis notes, the chart of Activision Blizzard below shows current hesitation following the stock’s recent run-up, due to the most recent release of its “Call of Duty” game. A golden cross remains in play, and the stock could break higher, based on my technical analysis.
Chart courtesy of www.StockCharts.com
Overall, my stock analysis indicates that the launch of the new consoles next month will surely help the video game sector and software games makers; investors would be wise to keep this sector on their radar.
This article Why the Gaming Sector Should Be on Your Radar is originally posted at Profitconfidential
George Leong, B.Comm.
http://www.profitconfidential.com
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