Media

Electronic Arts: Earnings Weighed Against Valuation (ERTS, TTWO)

Electronic_arts_logo_2Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) has reported its video game numbers for investors today.  The company’s net was -$0.30 in GAAP EPS on $804 million in revenues (misleading numbers).  Before a $231 million deferred revenue number, the company said non-GAAP revenues were $609 million.  Its non-GAAP EPS was $-0.42 EPS.  Estimates on a non-GAAP basis were $639.8 million and -$0.33 EPS.

The video game publishing giant also gave guidance for fiscal March 31,2009.  It sees non-GAAP EPS $1.30 to $1.70.  That is up from $1.06 thislast year and compares with estimates of $1.59 EPS.  It put non-GAAPnet revenues at $5.0 to $5.3 Billion, which is up from $4.02 Billionthis last year and compares to estimates of $5.15 Billion. 

The companyis also using an effective 28% tax rate guidance for projections ahead.  Unfortunately, there was no word given over its Take-Two Interactive (NASDAQ: TTWO) buyout ambitions.

EA Shares closed up almost 3% in regular trading at $47.40, but itlooks like shares are back down to about $46.00 in after-hourstrading.  Its 52-week trading range is $43.13 to $61.62.

Even if we take the mid-point of forward guidance and use the FirstCall estimate, you get a forward P/E ratio range (using the $47.40close) of 31.6 or 21.81.  Even if we use the high-end of the rangegiven in case the company is trying to set the bar low we get a forwardP/E ratio of nearly 28.

Unfortunately for the company, unless it can bring these new propertieson or make a great bolt-on buy, this stock is still looking ratherexpensive on the remedial surface analysis considering the currenteconomic climate.  If that stock price slides, then the valuations willcome more in-line with a slow economy and one where no new major gamingplatforms are on the immediate horizon.

Jon C. Ogg
July 29, 2008

Find a Qualified Financial Advisor (Sponsor)

Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to 3 fiduciary financial advisors in your area in 5 minutes. Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests. If you’re ready to be matched with local advisors that can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.