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

Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:EA) was the recipient of some unusual options trading activity on Friday. Investors bought 34,611 call options on the company. This is an increase of approximately 589% compared to the average daily volume of 5,021 call options.

Electronic Arts Price Performance

NASDAQ:EA traded up $4.23 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $122.91. 6,589,228 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,085,204. The company has a current ratio of 1.43, a quick ratio of 1.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25. The firm has a market cap of $32.24 billion, a PE ratio of 31.60, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.38 and a beta of 0.80. Electronic Arts has a twelve month low of $115.21 and a twelve month high of $168.50. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $148.54 and its 200-day moving average is $148.09.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Robert W. Baird cut their price objective on shares of Electronic Arts from $175.00 to $158.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, January 23rd. Roth Mkm cut their price target on Electronic Arts from $158.00 to $134.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, January 23rd. Oppenheimer decreased their price objective on Electronic Arts from $170.00 to $165.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, January 21st. StockNews.com upgraded Electronic Arts from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 31st. Finally, Moffett Nathanson upgraded shares of Electronic Arts from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $145.00 target price for the company in a report on Friday. Twelve research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $157.43.

Insider Activity at Electronic Arts

In other Electronic Arts news, CEO Andrew Wilson sold 5,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $142.68, for a total value of $713,400.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 42,615 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $6,080,308.20. This trade represents a 10.50 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Laura Miele sold 2,500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $158.03, for a total value of $395,075.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 50,433 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $7,969,926.99. This represents a 4.72 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 25,000 shares of company stock valued at $3,835,555. Insiders own 0.22% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Electronic Arts

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in EA. Larson Financial Group LLC grew its holdings in Electronic Arts by 31.8% in the 3rd quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 290 shares of the game software company’s stock valued at $42,000 after buying an additional 70 shares in the last quarter. Claro Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Electronic Arts by 3.4% in the 4th quarter. Claro Advisors LLC now owns 2,285 shares of the game software company’s stock valued at $334,000 after acquiring an additional 75 shares during the period. Prime Capital Investment Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Electronic Arts by 5.1% in the 3rd quarter. Prime Capital Investment Advisors LLC now owns 1,572 shares of the game software company’s stock worth $225,000 after acquiring an additional 76 shares during the last quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC boosted its position in shares of Electronic Arts by 2.2% during the 4th quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC now owns 3,761 shares of the game software company’s stock worth $550,000 after purchasing an additional 82 shares during the period. Finally, Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Electronic Arts by 1.7% during the 4th quarter. Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 4,837 shares of the game software company’s stock worth $708,000 after purchasing an additional 83 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds 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.