Shares of toy maker Hasbro Inc. (HAS) rose in early morning trading after the toy maker posted better-than-expected earnings for its fourth quarter before the market opened.

Going into the earnings report, analysts had been expecting to see Hasbro report earnings of $0.92 per share, but actual earnings came in at $0.99. Earnings were down though from $1.09 during the same period last year.

Continue reading Hasbro Trades Higher on Better-Than-Expected Earnings

Hasbro Trades Higher on Better-Than-Expected Earnings originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 07 Feb 2011 12:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Bookstores disappearing, music stores almost gone, video stores all but done -- and GameStop Corp. (GME) is next. Yes, it's days are numbered, we just don't know what that number is yet.

I have been pondering this for a while, off and on, and did a very limited survey of two teenage boys -- mine -- asking them their thoughts about GameStop. The 17-year-old was playing a game on his Apple (AAPL) MacBook Pro at the time. He said he downloads free games or buys them, but all from the Web. He knew he could buy used games inexpensively at GameStop but had never done so and thought this business activity would fade.

The 14-year-old was also on his Mac, using FaceBook and YouTube. He said he had been to GameStop with friends in the past but never bought anything. Both boys use their cell phones to play games in the car.

Continue reading Chasing Value: Are GameStop's Days Numbered?

Chasing Value: Are GameStop's Days Numbered? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 29 Sep 2010 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

After a disappointing February video game sales report, many analyst insiders are predicting a strong month in March for top video game stocks Electronic Arts (ERTS), Nintendo (NTDOY), Sony (SNE) and Take Two Interactive (TTWO).

The biggest reason is simply because the bar is set pretty low. March 2009 video game sales were down 17% when up against 2008 numbers, and unless the data gets seriously skewed we should see an organic rebound in numbers just from that low. If you'll recall, March 2009 was pretty bad on all fronts -- the economy shed 650,000 jobs, stocks hit a 12-year low, and there was a -6% contraction in GDP for the first quarter of 2009.

With lower expectations, the video game industry may win a reprieve when the March numbers roll out. But on top of those low expectations, a new Nintendo console and a few blockbuster titles should result in decent sales for the industry.

Continue reading March Video Game Sales Could Level Up Nintendo, Sony and Others

March Video Game Sales Could Level Up Nintendo, Sony and Others originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 06 Apr 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Gamestop (GME) getting fragged despite record Q1 earnings

Gamestop (GME) getting fragged despite record Q1 earnings originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 22 May 2008 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Hasbro (NYSE: HAS) and Mattel (NYSE: MAT), which own the right to Scrabble, are none too pleased with Scrabulous, a knockoff of the game that has gained tremendous popularity as an application on Facebook.

The game-makers have sent cease and desist notices to four parties involved with the production and distribution of Scrabulous, but it isn't immediately clear who those parties are.

In a statement, Hasbro said that it hoped to reach an amicable solution, but that, "If we cannot come to one quickly, we will be forced to close down the site and its associated distribution points."

The obvious solution is to make the game a fully-licensed version of Scrabble, and give Hasbro and Mattel a cut of the ad revenue it generates. Such a move would also probably boost sales of the board game at retail stores as people realize that Scrabble is actually pretty fun.

According (subscription required) to the Wall Street Journal, "While there are authorized Scrabble games online, Scrabulous has gained popularity because it's free, easy to play with friends and easy to access on Facebook. Scrabulous listed more than 600,000 daily active users on Facebook as of Wednesday and is one of the 10 most used applications on the site. People can also play at Scrabulous.com."

Scrabble-makers go after popular Facebook knockoff originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 17 Jan 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) says it sold 4.3 million Xbox 360s in the last quarter of 2007. The popularity of the company's Halo 3 game helped.

According to Reuters, "'Holiday 2007 was a blockbuster season for the gaming industry,' Microsoft said, adding that the Xbox 360 has kept its lead over rivals in terms of total dollars spent on hardware and software." The company did say that its online game download service had problems toward the end of the year and offered a free game to 8 million users.

The news means that Microsoft's device division will probably be profitable for the fourth quarter. It lost money for years. But it also raises the issue of why the world's largest software company is in the business at all. The division brought in $1.9 billion last quarter, but had an operating profit of only $134 million.

The problems that the company has had with its game download service and past issues with the Xbox hardware only give Redmond a bad name. That does not exactly help the image of its core software business.

Douglas A. McIntyre is an editor at 247wallst.com.

Microsoft's Xbox has big quarter originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 04 Jan 2008 10:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Sell stuff that isn't real online! originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 17 Dec 2007 06:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The head of Activision (NASDAQ: ATVI) sees the prices of the major game consoles dropping to under $200. Otherwise the game maker does not think the products will ever have mass market appeal. The cheapest Sony (NYSE: SNE) PS3 is $400, and a Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) Xbox 360 is not available below $280.

Activision CEO Bobby Kotick told Reuters that "the (Nintendo) Wii at its price point is now setting a standard and an expectation, and people say, well, the Wii is less complex technically. I don't think that really matters as much to the consumer." He does not see wide adoption for other platforms unless they are priced at $199.

Of course, the man may be right, but that does not mean that game console prices are coming down much. Microsoft and Sony have to ask themselves whether they would rather sell 10 million units at $400, or 18 million at $199. The math is complex because of manufacturing costs and income from video games.

Working to the advantage of lower retail pricing is the fact that component costs for the game consoles probably drop as production picks up. And with some games, like Halo 3, the platform maker gets money from the sale of the video game, so more platforms have an extra financial benefit.

Will the market see a $199 PS3 soon? Probably not. Sony can't go to its shareholders with that big a loss per unit.

Douglas A. McIntyre is an editor at 247wallst.com.

Will PlayStation, Xbox ever sell for under $200? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 28 Nov 2007 10:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is part of our Hottest Products of 2007 feature. Also check out our other Hottest Products of 2007 posts and let us know which product you think is the greatest thing since sliced bread.

For gamers, the experience is everything, and their heroes are not the wonks designing Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT)'s Xbox or Nintendo's Wii, but the creators of the worlds that hold them in thrall. None has done it better than Bungie Studio's Halo 3, the first-person shooter game that is one of our Hottest Products of 2007.

The numbers demonstrate just how this game annihilated its competitors. 4.2 million units were in stores on the day the third iteration of this game was unveiled September 25. In the U.S. alone, Halo 3 grossed $170 million its first day, and $300 million in the first week. More than a million players competed live in its first day of release, via Xbox Live.

Continue reading Hottest Products of 2007: 'Halo 3' comes out firing

Hottest Products of 2007: 'Halo 3' comes out firing originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 22 Nov 2007 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Halo 3 developers breaking free from Microsoft (MSFT): Is MSFT culture stifling to game development? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 05 Oct 2007 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The New York Times' Career Coach takes a look at online gaming in the workplace. A recent survey indicates that 24% of employees admit to playing computer games in the workplace -- a statistic that may leave a lot of managers none too pleased.

Somewhat surprisingly, employers are mixed in their responses to online gaming. Some have chosen to block all gaming sites, while others have only blocked a few. Many have no clear policy, and some even believe it can be a valid way for workers to recharge their batteries, provided that it takes place in moderation.

Depending on what they're playing, I would argue that an occasional break for a computer game could be very productive -- certainly more so than office gossip around the water cooler. Remember, Warren Buffett has said that he spends roughly 10% of his productive hours playing bridge -- often online, sometimes with Bill Gates. Given that these are the two richest men we have, it's safe to say that their gaming hasn't hindered their productivity too much.

The latest generation of workers grew up on video games, and I suspect that gaming will only become more widespread, and more acceptable, within the office environment.

Is online gaming in the office a serious problem? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 01 Oct 2007 17:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) implied volatility up into expected new family of iPod launch on 9/5.

AAPL is recently up $3.03 to $129.85 in pre-open trading. Goldman Sachs says, "Buy AAPL shares as new iPods add to its product cycle story." AAPL overall option implied volatility of 45 is above its 26-week average of 41 according to Track Data, suggesting slightly larger price movement.

Nokia (NYSE: NOK) volatility at 36 as NOK introduces four devices; NOK near 6-year high.

NOK introduced four devices optimized for entertainment, music and games. NOK closed at $30.01. OPCO says, "reiterate Buy - announces attractive multimedia products." NOK over all option implied volatility of 36 is above its 26-week average of 33 according to Track Data, suggesting slightly larger price risk.

Daily options Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com.

Option update: Volatilities up into AAPL & NOK electronic devices rollouts originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 29 Aug 2007 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Monopoly Extreme -- Why should players be allowed to stroll uninhibited down Boardwalk and Atlantic Avenue, when the game could be much more interesting in a Grand-theft- Auto-type world? Imagine shooting your way out of Marvin Gardens, highjacking a Reading Railroad train, and trolling Baltic Ave. for a hooker.
• Chutes and Ladders -- In the video world, falling into a chute would cost the player much more than a few squares - perhaps even a visit the Hell! Ladders, on the other hand, could lead to greater rewards, such as a front row seat at a Barry Manilow show in Las Vegas. Or do I have those backwards?
• Bratz - the Hilton version. Dress up your Bratz from an endless variety of skanky outfits (underwear tonight- yes, or no?), take her partying in the hottest Hollywood clubs, indulge her in the very best drink and toot, and check her in to the most exclusive rehab clinics. Accumulate points every time she manages to smack a paparazzi with her purse.
• Scrbl - txt vrsn. Txtrs cmpt 2 c who cn use t fwst ltrs 2 spl wrds.
• Easy-Bake Iron Chef - No more light bulbs and tasteless cakes. In the virtual world, mini-chefs can compete with gamers around the world to create monster desserts, exotic entrees or even cook up batches of meth.

Electronic Arts (ERTS) to game up Hasbro (HAS) brands originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 10 Aug 2007 11:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Last week I blogged on Britain banning Rockstar's Manhunt 2, owned by Take-Two Interactive (NASDAQ: TTWO) for the game's "unremitting bleakness and callousness of tone." I said that banning games stifles creative freedom and has the ability to destroy an industry -- from game makers to retailers, and, most importantly, consumers.

Well that's exactly what has happened folks.

Following bans in Britain and Ireland, as well as an "Adults Only" rating in the United States, GamesIndustry.biz has told us that Take-Two temporarily shelved Manhunt 2.

Manhunt 2 was scheduled for release on July 10 on the Sony Corp. (NYSE: SNE) PlayStation 2, PSP, and Nintendo's (OTC: NTDOY) Wii consoles. However, both Sony and Nintendo carry an Adults Only policy, which leaves little room for compromise. Even if the game were to ship with the AO rating, many retailers -- including Wal-Mart Stores (NYSE: WMT) -- will not put Manhunt 2 on the shelves.

Take-Two could still appeal the rating of a more toned-down version that fits the "Mature" rating for players 17 and older. However, the AP's Matt Slagle reports that the decision to suspend distribution of Manhunt 2 could actually boost demand, according to industry analysts. Colin Sebastian, an analyst at Lazard Capital Markets, tells Slagle that he doesn't believe the game will hurt Take-Two's bottom line in the long term, and he considers the recent controversy over the game to be great exposure. "It's free publicity," Sebastian said. "Consumer backlash is a risk, but at the end of the day if it's rated 'M' the retailers will take it."

Investor's didn't seem phased on the news. Shares of Take-Two Interactive were up for the week and closed +1.02% on Friday, to $20.82.

Manhunt 2 shelved by Take-Two's Rockstar Games originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 24 Jun 2007 16:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Shares of Build-A-Beat Workshop (NYSE: BBW) have been fairly lackluster performers since the company's IPO in 2004, but a new concept store called Ridemakerz could change all that, as Build-A-Bear owns 25% of the new venture.

Build-A-Bear has about 300 locations globally, offering children and their parents an opportunity to customize their own teddy bears. Ridemakerz, whose first location just opened last week, will offer fathers and sons a chance to build their own toy cars. According to the New York Times, "Customers select a chassis type (street or monster); body styles (stock or custom, a Ridemakerz brand hot rod, a Ford Mustang GT, or Dodge Ram pickup, to name a few options); paint schemes; sound effects (for example, sirens or race sounds) and style of locomotion (free wheel or radio control) ... After the 10- to 12-inch cars are assembled, there are ample customizing and accessorizing options: tire treads, grille guards, side pipes, snowboard racks and decals. Mr. Andreini estimates that a fully tricked-out vehicle will run about $75, including $25 for radio control. For the budget-minded, there's a stock tuner car for $12."

If this does catch on, and it seems likely that it will, the growth could be explosive. Build-A-Bear grew from one store to more than 300 in ten years and, with the support of Build-A-Bear already there, Ridemakerz could much more quickly.

With the huge popularity of NASCAR and cars in general, Ridemakerz could be the catalyst for shares of BBW to rapidly gain in value. The shares are trading right around their price from a year ago, indicating that much of the upside of Ridemakerz is not yet priced in.

To learn more about Ridemakerz, see the company's website.

Is Ridemakerz the new Build-a-Bear? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 03 Jun 2007 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• UBS initiated shares of Activision, Inc (NASDAQ: ATVI), THQ Inc (NASDAQ: THQI) and GameStop Corp (NYSE: GME) with Buy ratings. Electronic Arts Inc (NASDAQ: ERTS) and Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc (NASDAQ: TTWO) were initiated with Neutral ratings...

• Aeropostale, Inc (NASDAQ: ARO) was initiated at CIBC with a Sector Outperform rating.

• NYSE Euronext (NYSE: NYX) was started with a Sell rating and $75 target at Banc of America.

• Wachovia initiated VeriFone Holdings, Inc (NYSE: PAY) with an Outperform rating.

• CastlePoint Holdings (NASDAQ: CPHL) was started at both Keefe Bruyette and Friedman Billings with an Outperform rating.

Analyst initiations 5-02-07: ATVI, ERTS, NYX and TTWO originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 02 May 2007 11:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Cramer plays Activision for the holidays originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 07 Nov 2006 19:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) today struck back at its nemesis Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG), announcing a new advertising offering that will let companies connect to people through their PCs, Xboxes, mobile phones and personal digitial assistants.

Microsoft Digital Advertising Solutions, which the largest software maker will discuss today at the Advertising Week conference in New York, underscores how eager the company is to gets its share of the dollars that are flowing online from traditional media. Earlier this year Microsoft unveiled some well-received improvements to its MSN search engine. It also signed an advertising deal with the red-hot social networking site Facebook. The Wall Street Journal reported last week that Microsoft tried to buy Facebook though now the startup is in talks with Yahoo! (NASDAQ: YHOO).

"Microsoft's advertising business is growing quickly and becoming more sophisticated," says Joanne Bradford, Microsoft's corporate vice president of sales and marketing, in a press release. "It is our responsibility to clearly articulate to advertisers how they can apply our broad set of assets and relationships to reach consumers across the many digital touch points of their day."

Microsoft is putting all of its digital advertising eggs, including MSN and Windows Live, in one basket to ``better package its multiplying offerings'' to media buyers, according to the trade publication Media Week. Nonetheless, this is a fine line for the Redmond, Wash. company to walk.

I suspect that people aren't going to be thrilled to see advertisements in places where they aren't used to them. Plus, Microsoft will have to be careful that it doesn't put too many banners in one spot because advertisers don't want to annoy consumers either or have their messages get lost amidst clutter. Companies will have to get creative and design spots for new platforms instead of just repurposing television commercials.

Wall Street is plenty worried about Microsoft's online ad push. Chief Executive Steve Ballmer vowed last June to ``catch Google'' in terms of search relevancy in the next months, according to reports in Cnet and other media outlets. That's a mighty cocky attitude for the company that badly trails both Google and Yahoo! by a wide margin. His statement seemed to be just Bravado at the time.

Ballmer struck again in May. This time, he vowed to put $1.6 billion in MSN and its other online businesses. Investors paid attention and sent Microsoft's shares plummeting to their lowest level in five years, according to Bloomberg News. Analysts derided Ballmer for putting good money after bad and wondered whether he would ever catch Google. They also freetted about Google's efforts to steal Microsoft's core business through free offerings like spreadsheets and email. This coupled with the delays of the new Windows Vista system and worries about the economy made Microsoft the tech stock that Wall Street loved to hate. Between January and May, seven analysts downgraded the stock.

But a funny thing has happened lately. Microsoft is rebounding. The shares, which traded at $23.44 after Ballmer announced the big investment on May 4, recently traded at $26.79. A huge stock buyback and a boost in the dividend no doubt helped.

Don't take this as a sign that investors are thrilled witih Microsoft's online push. Sometimes even unpopular stocks get too cheap to ignore.

Microsoft's pushing for ad dollars originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 25 Sep 2006 11:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.