Gaming: Anybody wanna get some dubs?

Dan Hardman
Aug 31, 2018 · 3 min read

We’ve been noticing the “gravity well” impact of Fortnite across gaming and non-gaming consumer application companies. I suspect, even some dating app companies have been affected by the phenomenon that the game has turned into. To wit, if you are going to play Fortnite until 3:00am, perhaps you won’t spend as much time swiping right. Or Netflixing…But I digress…

Piling on a previous analysis from Citi (that now I can’t find). CNBC is reporting that BOA is downgrading both EA and Activision / Blizzard owing to the impact of Fortnite specifically.

You can find the full article here and it’s copy and pasted below.

Bank of America downgrades EA and Activision Blizzard shares due to ‘Fortnite’ growth and crowded holiday slate

  • Bank of America Merrill Lynch lowers its rating for both Electronic Arts and Activision Blizzard shares to neutral from buy, citing competition from “Fortnite.”
  • The firm’s analyst Justin Post also says the publishers’ game sales may be pressured with “possible” discounting risk.

Tae Kim | @firstadopter

Published 3 Hours Ago Updated 1 Hour AgoCNBC.com


Fortnite may beat the biggest shows on cable but its revenue is growing at its slowest pace ever 3:58 PM ET Tue, 28 Aug 2018 | 04:02

Bank of America Merrill Lynch is getting worried about the video gaming industry’s holiday selling season.

The firm lowered its rating for both Electronic Arts and Activision Blizzard shares to neutral from buy, citing the crowded holiday slate and competition from “Fortnite.”

On Thursday, EA shares fell nearly 10 percent after the company delayed its key “Battlefield V” game and lowered financial guidance for the year.

“While we expected investor optimism on new titles to build through Sept., we believe Electronic Arts’ (EA) guidance cut will change that dynamic, with future concerns on unit sales or ASP discounting possible,” analyst Justin Post said in a note to clients Friday entitled “More cautious as some key franchises continue to slump.”

Cutting estimates for Electronic Arts “highlights risks of a back-end loaded year, crowded holiday title slate and continued Fortnite pressure” on Activision, the note said.

Activision Blizzard shares are down 3 percent Friday, while EA shares fell 2.2 percent.

The analyst lowered his price target to $126 from $159 for EA shares. He also reduced his target for Activision Blizzard to $77 from $84.

Post cited how “Fortnite” continues expand its user base on a monthly basis, which may negatively affect the large publishers’ game sales later this year. Increased competition in the first-person shooter game market, as shown by the “Battlefield V” issues, will likely pressure publishers’ high valuation multiples, he said.

Activision Blizzard shares are up 17 percent this year through Thursday, while EA’s stock is up 10.4 percent. In the same time period, the S&P 500 rose 8.5 percent.

But a crowded fourth quarter “may lead to spillover challenges in early 2019 as publishers vie for gamer engagement to drive live service initiatives,” he said.

EA declined to comment on the analyst report. Activision Blizzard did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Dan Hardman

Written by

Father, Husband, Silicon Valley worker bee. Twitter: @DanHardman

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