Shares of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) have been on a tear since the start of the year, gaining more than 36%. The video game giant has been impressive throughout and largely sidestepped the volatility that rattled broader equities in March and April. Less experienced investors might have been expecting the stock to take a breather heading into summer, but the more seasoned ones would have known better.
EA’s ability to hold its Q1 gains through the spring, coupled with its blowout earnings in May, was a clear sign of strength. So, while this week’s monster upgrade to a Buy from Eric Handler at Roth Capital might not be a complete surprise, it’s still a major validation of the bull case that’s been building. Just as impressive as the Buy rating was the fresh $185 price target, which points to nearly 20% upside from where the stock closed on Thursday evening.
A Fresh Vote of Confidence
Roth Capital’s team considers EA to be at "a significant inflection point” and sees the company poised for "a sustained, multi-year growth trajectory.” That’s a powerful phrase and one that says this isn’t just a short-term play-off, a good quarter, but the start of something longer-term.
Handler is projecting double-digit earnings growth over the next three years, and he’s not the only one starting to get excited. May’s earnings report already showcased a return to form, with better-than-expected top- and bottom-line numbers, while forward guidance was strong enough to cement confidence across the Street.
Much of the optimism now centers on EA’s release calendar, with a successful reboot of the Battlefield franchise being viewed as a major potential catalyst that could get players spending like they haven’t in years. The last two iterations disappointed both them and investors, but sentiment is growing that the upcoming title could flip the narrative. Add in strong expectations for upcoming titles from The Sims and Star Wars franchises, and EA’s release pipeline is looking more loaded than it has in years.
New Catalysts to Watch For
One key takeaway from Roth’s upgrade is that while EA’s annual sports franchises, such as FIFA and Madden, remain the “blue-chip cornerstone” of its business, they’re not the whole story anymore. If Battlefield can finally hit the mark this time around, it won’t just be a win for EA’s top line; it could help reignite excitement and multiple expansions around the entire stock.
This is critical when you consider the context. EA has been seen as a relatively safe, defensive name in the gaming sector, one that prints reliable cash flow but has lacked the blockbuster upside of more hit-driven peers. Roth Capital's upgrade effectively throws that assumption out the window and says things have changed.
Their upgrade this week is especially notable because it helps reverse the tone of the last analyst update, which came from Citigroup in late May and maintained a Neutral rating. It will be interesting to see if Roth is joined by any more analysts in the coming weeks who are keen to join the bulls.
The Technicals Say the Bulls Are in Control
Beyond the bullish outlook, EA’s technical setup is becoming increasingly optimistic. After a 12% rise this month alone, the stock’s relative strength index (RSI) has increased to 67, approaching overbought levels but still well below any concerning range.
The stock’s MACD has also just flashed a fresh bullish crossover, confirming that momentum is building, and investors should be getting excited. The stock is now looking ready to make a serious push toward last November’s all-time high, just below $170, which stands as the next big level of resistance.
If shares can punch through that, and all signs suggest a test is imminent, then Roth’s $185 target comes into sharp focus. The stock could quickly become one of the surprise outperformers of the summer, especially if investor excitement builds ahead of the next earnings report or Battlefield news drop. With a strong earnings base, a hyped game release cycle, and powerful analyst backing, EA looks set to keep climbing. The fundamentals support it, the technicals support it, and now the analysts do too.
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