Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:EA) Holdings Lifted by Franklin Resources Inc.

Franklin Resources Inc. grew its holdings in Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:EA - Free Report) by 8.4% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 863,899 shares of the game software company's stock after acquiring an additional 66,797 shares during the period. Franklin Resources Inc. owned about 0.33% of Electronic Arts worth $124,548,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC acquired a new position in shares of Electronic Arts during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Family Firm Inc. purchased a new position in Electronic Arts during the second quarter valued at $33,000. Reston Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Electronic Arts in the third quarter valued at about $36,000. Gradient Investments LLC increased its stake in shares of Electronic Arts by 592.1% during the second quarter. Gradient Investments LLC now owns 263 shares of the game software company's stock worth $37,000 after purchasing an additional 225 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC raised its position in shares of Electronic Arts by 156.6% during the 3rd quarter. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC now owns 272 shares of the game software company's stock worth $39,000 after purchasing an additional 166 shares during the last quarter. 90.23% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, insider Vijayanthimala Singh sold 1,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $164.45, for a total value of $164,450.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 30,216 shares in the company, valued at $4,969,021.20. This trade represents a 3.20 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Andrew Wilson sold 2,500 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, September 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $141.50, for a total transaction of $353,750.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 54,247 shares in the company, valued at $7,675,950.50. The trade was a 4.41 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 18,500 shares of company stock valued at $2,866,400. Company insiders own 0.22% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

EA has been the subject of a number of research reports. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an "equal weight" rating and set a $150.00 target price on shares of Electronic Arts in a report on Wednesday, September 18th. UBS Group upped their price target on Electronic Arts from $155.00 to $160.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 30th. BMO Capital Markets reiterated an "outperform" rating and set a $160.00 price objective (up previously from $154.00) on shares of Electronic Arts in a research report on Wednesday, October 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on Electronic Arts from $155.00 to $150.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, October 30th. Finally, Robert W. Baird boosted their price target on shares of Electronic Arts from $170.00 to $175.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 30th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Electronic Arts has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $165.37.

Electronic Arts Price Performance

Shares of EA traded down $1.22 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $156.40. 3,811,733 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,050,825. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $156.29 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $147.77. The company has a market cap of $41.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 40.21, a PEG ratio of 2.14 and a beta of 0.79. The company has a quick ratio of 1.43, a current ratio of 1.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25. Electronic Arts Inc. has a 52-week low of $124.92 and a 52-week high of $168.50.

Electronic Arts Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 18th. Investors of record on Wednesday, November 27th will be given a dividend of $0.19 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, November 27th. This represents a $0.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.49%. Electronic Arts's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 19.54%.

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.