GameStop Q1 Profit Tops Expectations, Shares Surge

Shares of

jumped over 6 percent in after-hours trading after the company reported stronger-than-expected earnings for the first quarter and raised its earnings forecast for the year. The company posted quarterly net earnings of $73.8 million, or $0.68 per share, up from $68.0 million, or $0.59 per share, in the year-ago quarter. Its total global sales climbed 3.2 percent to $2.06 billion. However, analysts were expecting earnings of $0.59 per share on revenue of $2.01 billion. The average estimate among 19 Estimize users was for earnings of $0.58 per share and revenue of $2.04 billion. New software sales jumped 9.6 percent in the quarter. Sales in the mobile and consumer electronics category jumped 33.9 percent to $136.8 million, while technology brands revenue climbed 70 percent to $102.2 millionin the first quarter. Consolidated comparable store sales rose 8.6 percent in the quarter. Comparable store sales gained 9.1 percent in the U.S., while international comparable store sales surged 6.9 percent. During the quarter, GameStop repurchased 1.19 million shares at an average price of $39.03 per share. The company's board declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.36 per common share. Paul Raines, chief executive officer, stated, "Our first quarter results exceeded expectations, displaying our market leadership and our ability to drive and leverage our core video game business and expand our diversified businesses to deliver healthy profits and solid top-line growth. This performance confirms that our effort to transform GameStop into a family of specialty brands is the right strategy to drive durable revenues and shareholder value." For the second quarter, the company expects earnings of $0.21 to $0.25 per share. For fiscal year 2015, GameStop now projects earnings of $3.63 to $3.83 per share, versus earlier forecast of $3.60 to $3.80 per share. GameStop shares jumped 6.06 percent to $43.40 in the after-hours trading session.