Wedbush Maintains 'Outperform' Rating on EA as Battlefield 6 Beta Draws Record Engagement, Sees Potential for Up to 15 Million Units Sold in First Year

Electronic Arts' upcoming Battlefield 6 release could be a turning point for the franchise, according to Wedbush analysts, who expect launch-year sales of 7 million units and up to 15 million units sold over the first year. The game's beta test drew record engagement, with 521,000 concurrent players on Steam, surpassing Call of Duty's peak. Wedbush sees potential for Battlefield 6 to finish as the second or third best-selling entry in the franchise and has a price target of $210.

Electronic Arts' upcoming game, Battlefield 6, is expected to be a significant turning point for the franchise, according to Wedbush analysts. The company anticipates launch-year sales of 7 million units, potentially reaching up to 15 million units sold over the first year. The game's beta test drew record engagement, with 521,000 concurrent players on Steam, surpassing Call of Duty's peak. Wedbush sees potential for Battlefield 6 to finish as the second or third best-selling entry in the franchise and has a price target of $210.

Battlefield 6's strong pre-release momentum is driven by its beta participation and marketing campaigns. The game attracted approximately 18.7 million players during its open beta, a 42% increase over Battlefield 1 [1]. This high engagement is a positive indicator for the game's potential success. Additionally, Electronic Arts has been making strategic moves to bolster its position in the gaming industry. The company recently announced a partnership with the National Hockey League to integrate advanced player tracking data into NHL 26, adding a new level of realism to its sports games [1].

The gaming industry is highly competitive, but the negative reception of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7’s trailer has created a more favorable competitive environment for Battlefield 6’s release. This could potentially attract players seeking an alternative to the Call of Duty franchise. In terms of financial outlook, Oppenheimer has maintained its Outperform rating on Electronic Arts, with a price target of $185.00. DA Davidson has adjusted its price target for Electronic Arts from $150 to $160, reflecting increased confidence in the company’s outlook despite some concerns about future challenges. Raymond James, however, maintained its Market Perform rating, suggesting that Battlefield 6 could attract players due to a perceived weak year for a competing franchise [1].

Electronic Arts' focus on digital gaming software, which accounts for 73.2% of its net sales, and its strong presence in North America, which accounts for 41.3% of its net sales, positions it well for the future. As Battlefield 6 continues to generate buzz, investors and financial professionals should keep a close eye on Electronic Arts' performance.

References:
[1] https://www.investing.com/news/analyst-ratings/oppenheimer-maintains-outperform-rating-on-electronic-arts-stock-amid-strong-battlefield-6-beta-93CH-4206567
[2] https://www.marketscreener.com/news/electronic-arts-battlefield-6-likely-to-be-next-most-successful-iteration-wedbush-says-ce7c50d8dd88f124