Electronic Arts Sees Unusually High Options Volume (NASDAQ:EA)

Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:EA - Get Free Report) was the recipient of some unusual options trading activity on Monday. Investors acquired 17,955 call options on the stock. This represents an increase of approximately 79% compared to the average volume of 10,016 call options.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms have recently issued reports on EA. HSBC upgraded Electronic Arts from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $190.00 price objective for the company in a report on Wednesday. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price target on shares of Electronic Arts from $167.00 to $159.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, January 21st. Roth Capital restated a "neutral" rating on shares of Electronic Arts in a research note on Wednesday. Wedbush upped their price target on Electronic Arts from $179.00 to $210.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday. Finally, Moffett Nathanson reiterated a "neutral" rating and issued a $163.00 price objective on shares of Electronic Arts in a research report on Wednesday. Fifteen research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $161.63.

Electronic Arts Stock Performance

Shares of EA traded down $1.94 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $153.56. 1,481,062 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,699,091. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25, a current ratio of 1.38 and a quick ratio of 1.38. The stock has a market capitalization of $40.02 billion, a PE ratio of 39.07, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.58 and a beta of 0.74. The business's fifty day simple moving average is $142.40 and its 200-day simple moving average is $144.78. Electronic Arts has a 52-week low of $115.21 and a 52-week high of $168.50.

Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:EA - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 4th. The game software company reported $2.34 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.41 by ($1.07). Electronic Arts had a return on equity of 17.80% and a net margin of 14.28%. On average, equities research analysts expect that Electronic Arts will post 4.71 earnings per share for the current year.

Electronic Arts Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, June 18th. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 28th will be given a dividend of $0.19 per share. This represents a $0.76 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.49%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, May 28th. Electronic Arts's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 19.34%.

Insider Activity

In related news, CEO Andrew Wilson sold 5,000 shares of Electronic Arts stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $130.14, for a total value of $650,700.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 37,615 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $4,895,216.10. This trade represents a 11.73 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Vijayanthimala Singh sold 1,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, April 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $145.00, for a total transaction of $145,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 26,216 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,801,320. The trade was a 3.67 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 19,500 shares of company stock worth $2,729,195. Company insiders own 0.22% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Electronic Arts

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Putney Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Electronic Arts in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Electronic Arts during the 1st quarter valued at $28,000. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Electronic Arts by 141.0% in the 4th quarter. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. now owns 200 shares of the game software company's stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 117 shares during the last quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Electronic Arts in the 4th quarter valued at $32,000. Finally, LGT Financial Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Electronic Arts during the 4th quarter worth approximately $33,000. 90.23% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Electronic Arts Company Profile

Electronic Arts Inc develops, markets, publishes, and distributes games, content, and services for game consoles, PCs, mobile phones, and tablets worldwide. It develops and publishes games and services across various genres, such as sports, racing, first-person shooter, action, role-playing, and simulation primarily under the Battlefield, The Sims, Apex Legends, Need for Speed, and license games from others, including FIFA, Madden NFL, UFC, and Star Wars brands.