Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:EA) Price Target Raised to $180.00

Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:EA) had its price target hoisted by Benchmark from $160.00 to $180.00 in a report published on Wednesday, Marketbeat reports. The brokerage currently has a buy rating on the game software company’s stock.

Several other research analysts also recently weighed in on EA. Morgan Stanley upped their price target on shares of Electronic Arts from $135.00 to $148.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Wednesday. Ascendiant Capital Markets raised their target price on Electronic Arts from $157.00 to $160.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, March 3rd. HSBC upgraded Electronic Arts from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $190.00 price target for the company in a research report on Wednesday. Citigroup decreased their price objective on Electronic Arts from $163.00 to $139.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. Finally, TD Cowen upped their target price on shares of Electronic Arts from $160.00 to $172.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday. Fifteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Electronic Arts currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $161.83.

Electronic Arts Stock Down 1.5 %

Electronic Arts stock opened at $153.30 on Wednesday. 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 $39.95 billion, a PE ratio of 39.01, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.58 and a beta of 0.74. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $143.36 and a 200-day simple moving average of $144.90. Electronic Arts has a 12 month low of $115.21 and a 12 month high of $168.50.

Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:EA) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 4th. The game software company reported $2.34 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates 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, analysts anticipate that Electronic Arts will post 4.71 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Electronic Arts Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, June 18th. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 28th will be paid a dividend of $0.19 per share. This represents a $0.76 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.50%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, May 28th. Electronic Arts’s payout ratio is 19.34%.

Insider Activity at Electronic Arts

In related news, insider Laura Miele sold 2,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $155.57, for a total transaction of $388,925.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 40,189 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,252,202.73. This represents a 5.86 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CFO Stuart Canfield sold 1,000 shares of Electronic Arts stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $130.11, for a total transaction of $130,110.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 9,516 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,238,126.76. This represents a 9.51 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 22,000 shares of company stock worth $3,118,120 in the last three months. 0.22% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Electronic Arts

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Financial Management Professionals Inc. grew its position in shares of Electronic Arts by 15.0% in the 1st quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. now owns 560 shares of the game software company’s stock valued at $81,000 after buying an additional 73 shares during the last quarter. Claro Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Electronic Arts by 3.4% during the fourth quarter. Claro Advisors LLC now owns 2,285 shares of the game software company’s stock worth $334,000 after purchasing an additional 75 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust lifted its holdings in shares of Electronic Arts by 56.4% in the 1st quarter. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust now owns 208 shares of the game software company’s stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 75 shares during the last quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Electronic Arts by 34.2% in the 1st quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC now owns 298 shares of the game software company’s stock valued at $43,000 after purchasing an additional 76 shares during the period. Finally, Clarius Group LLC increased its position in Electronic Arts by 3.6% during the first quarter. Clarius Group LLC now owns 2,204 shares of the game software company’s stock worth $319,000 after buying an additional 77 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.23% of the company’s stock.

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.