We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
2 Solid Reasons to Bet on Video Gaming Stocks & ETFs Now
Read MoreHide Full Article
Most sound sectors have succumbed to the coronavirus-induced bloodbath in recent times, Technology being no exception. However, not all corners of the technology world were equally beaten down (read: Amid the Tech Slump, Internet ETFs Most Resilient to Virus).
Some areas like video gaming showed strength to a large extent. Undiscerning selling might have hurt these video gaming stocks and ETFs moderately in the past month but the extent of loss was much lesser than the broader market S&P 500 Index (down 20.6% in the past month).
Let’s enumerate the reasons.
Coronavirus Shutdown Boosts Viewerships
Increasing lockdowns and self-isolations led to an increase in video game usage and live streaming. Per US telecom firm Verizon, online gaming jumped 75% during peak hours in North America while streaming gained 12% amid the pandemic. According to a StreamElements and Arsenal.gg report, global viewership rose 10% on Twitch and 15% on YouTube Gaming lately (read: ETFs to Ride on Rising Gaming Fervor Amid Coronavirus Scare).
Amid the current crisis,online games like Fortnite and Call of Duty are climbing the popularity charts. Additionally, Nintendo's Animal Crossing: New Horizonsand Bethesda Softworks’ Doom Eternal, launched on Mar 20, are providing a great boost to the gaming stocks.
New Super Cycle Awaits
The video gaming industry is now on the verge of entering a “new super cycle.” And some analysts are betting big on this new cycle, which has the potential to dole out profits of 8X to 18X, as indicated by Olivier Garret, CEO of RiskHedge.
The mega announcements made in the recent past were Sony’s expected launch of PlayStation 5 in holiday season 2020. Microsoft (MSFT - Free Report) will also likely present its “next-gen” console — Project Scarlett — in 2020 holidays (read: Best Thematic ETFs for 2020).
Last time that the duo startled the video game market with such big announcements was in 2013. The article also highlighted investment bank Cowen’s view which says, “Activision, Take-Two, and Electronic Arts beat the stock market by an average of 26% in the year leading up to the last three major console launches, which occurred in 2000, 2005, and 2013.”
Below we highlight a few video-gaming ETFs and stocks that have outperformed the S&P 500 lately (down 20.6% in the past month) in terms of returns. These stocks and ETFs are poised to fare better in the coming days on the back of above-mentioned fundamentals.
GAMR follows companies actively involved in the electronic gaming industry, including the entertainment, education and simulation segments. It charges 75 bps in fees. The fund added 4.8% on Mar 26 and lost 8.3% past month (read: Defiance's AUGR ETF Debuts as Video Gaming ETF (VIDG)).
VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF (ESPO - Free Report)
The fund ESPO follows the MVIS Global Video Gaming and eSports Index, which intends to track the overall performance of companies involved in video game development, eSports, and related hardware and software. The fund charges 55 bps in fees. The fund gained about 4% on Mar 26 an lost only 3.8% past month (read: Capture the eSports Craze with this ETF).
The fund provides exposure to companies positioned to benefit from increased consumption related to video games & esports, including companies whose principal business is in video game development/publishing, video game & esports content distribution & streaming, operating/owning esports leagues/teams & producing video game/esports hardware. The fund charges 50 bps in fees. The fund lost 6.7% past month and added 3.7% on Mar 26 (read: ETFs to Ride on Rising Gaming Fervor Amid Coronavirus Scare).
Stock Picks
Activision Blizzard Inc
The Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) leading developer and publisher of console and online games comes from a favorable Zacks industry (top 21%).The stock was down 2.8% past month and was up 9.2% on Mar 26.
Japan‘s Sony Corporation designs, manufactures and sales several consumer and industrial electronic equipment. It has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). The impending launch of PlayStation 5 puts this stock in a sweet spot. The stock belongs to a favorable Zacks industry (top 37%). The stock was off 5.4% past month and gained 4.9% on Mar 26.
Want key ETF info delivered straight to your inbox?
Zacks’ free Fund Newsletter will brief you on top news and analysis, as well as top-performing ETFs, each week. Get it free >>
See More Zacks Research for These Tickers
Normally $25 each - click below to receive one report FREE:
Image: Bigstock
2 Solid Reasons to Bet on Video Gaming Stocks & ETFs Now
Most sound sectors have succumbed to the coronavirus-induced bloodbath in recent times, Technology being no exception. However, not all corners of the technology world were equally beaten down (read: Amid the Tech Slump, Internet ETFs Most Resilient to Virus).
Some areas like video gaming showed strength to a large extent. Undiscerning selling might have hurt these video gaming stocks and ETFs moderately in the past month but the extent of loss was much lesser than the broader market S&P 500 Index (down 20.6% in the past month).
Let’s enumerate the reasons.
Coronavirus Shutdown Boosts Viewerships
Increasing lockdowns and self-isolations led to an increase in video game usage and live streaming. Per US telecom firm Verizon, online gaming jumped 75% during peak hours in North America while streaming gained 12% amid the pandemic. According to a StreamElements and Arsenal.gg report, global viewership rose 10% on Twitch and 15% on YouTube Gaming lately (read: ETFs to Ride on Rising Gaming Fervor Amid Coronavirus Scare).
Amid the current crisis,online games like Fortnite and Call of Duty are climbing the popularity charts. Additionally, Nintendo's Animal Crossing: New Horizonsand Bethesda Softworks’ Doom Eternal, launched on Mar 20, are providing a great boost to the gaming stocks.
New Super Cycle Awaits
The video gaming industry is now on the verge of entering a “new super cycle.” And some analysts are betting big on this new cycle, which has the potential to dole out profits of 8X to 18X, as indicated by Olivier Garret, CEO of RiskHedge.
The mega announcements made in the recent past were Sony’s expected launch of PlayStation 5 in holiday season 2020. Microsoft (MSFT - Free Report) will also likely present its “next-gen” console — Project Scarlett — in 2020 holidays (read: Best Thematic ETFs for 2020).
Last time that the duo startled the video game market with such big announcements was in 2013. The article also highlighted investment bank Cowen’s view which says, “Activision, Take-Two, and Electronic Arts beat the stock market by an average of 26% in the year leading up to the last three major console launches, which occurred in 2000, 2005, and 2013.”
Below we highlight a few video-gaming ETFs and stocks that have outperformed the S&P 500 lately (down 20.6% in the past month) in terms of returns. These stocks and ETFs are poised to fare better in the coming days on the back of above-mentioned fundamentals.
ETF Picks
ETFMG Video Game Tech ETF (GAMR - Free Report)
GAMR follows companies actively involved in the electronic gaming industry, including the entertainment, education and simulation segments. It charges 75 bps in fees. The fund added 4.8% on Mar 26 and lost 8.3% past month (read: Defiance's AUGR ETF Debuts as Video Gaming ETF (VIDG)).
VanEck Vectors Video Gaming and eSports ETF (ESPO - Free Report)
The fund ESPO follows the MVIS Global Video Gaming and eSports Index, which intends to track the overall performance of companies involved in video game development, eSports, and related hardware and software. The fund charges 55 bps in fees. The fund gained about 4% on Mar 26 an lost only 3.8% past month (read: Capture the eSports Craze with this ETF).
Global X Video Games & Esports ETF (HERO - Free Report)
The fund provides exposure to companies positioned to benefit from increased consumption related to video games & esports, including companies whose principal business is in video game development/publishing, video game & esports content distribution & streaming, operating/owning esports leagues/teams & producing video game/esports hardware. The fund charges 50 bps in fees. The fund lost 6.7% past month and added 3.7% on Mar 26 (read: ETFs to Ride on Rising Gaming Fervor Amid Coronavirus Scare).
Stock Picks
Activision Blizzard Inc
The Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) leading developer and publisher of console and online games comes from a favorable Zacks industry (top 21%).The stock was down 2.8% past month and was up 9.2% on Mar 26.
NetEase Inc. (NTES - Free Report)
The Zacks Rank #2 company is a leading Internet and online game services provider in China. The stock hails from a favorable Zacks industry (top 37%). The stock retreated about 8% past month and was up 3.3% on Mar 26 (read: Should You Buy China ETFs as Coronavirus Cases Wane?).
Sony Corporation
Japan‘s Sony Corporation designs, manufactures and sales several consumer and industrial electronic equipment. It has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). The impending launch of PlayStation 5 puts this stock in a sweet spot. The stock belongs to a favorable Zacks industry (top 37%). The stock was off 5.4% past month and gained 4.9% on Mar 26.
Want key ETF info delivered straight to your inbox?
Zacks’ free Fund Newsletter will brief you on top news and analysis, as well as top-performing ETFs, each week. Get it free >>