Yahoo Finance Does Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ:ATVI) Deserve A Spot On Your Watchlist?
It's only natural that many investors, especially those who are new to the game, prefer to buy shares in 'sexy' stocks with a good story, even if those businesses lose money. Unfortunately, high risk investments often have little probability of ever paying off, and many investors pay a price to learn their lesson.
If, on the other hand, you like companies that have revenue, and even earn profits, then you may well be interested in Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ:ATVI). Even if the shares are fully valued today, most capitalists would recognize its profits as the demonstration of steady value generation. Loss-making companies are always racing against time to reach financial sustainability, but time is often a friend of the profitable company, especially if it is growing.
Check out our latest analysis for Activision Blizzard
How Quickly Is Activision Blizzard Increasing Earnings Per Share?
The market is a voting machine in the short term, but a weighing machine in the long term, so share price follows earnings per share (EPS) eventually. Therefore, there are plenty of investors who like to buy shares in companies that are growing EPS. It certainly is nice to see that Activision Blizzard has managed to grow EPS by 22% per year over three years. If the company can sustain that sort of growth, we'd expect shareholders to come away winners.
I like to see top-line growth as an indication that growth is sustainable, and I look for a high earnings before interest and taxation (EBIT) margin to point to a competitive moat (though some companies with low margins also have moats). Activision Blizzard's EBIT margins have actually improved by 7.0 percentage points in the last year, to reach 29%, but, on the flip side, revenue was down 3.9%. That's not ideal.
The chart below shows how the company's bottom and top lines have progressed over time. For finer detail, click on the image.
While we live in the present moment at all times, there's no doubt in my mind that the future matters more than the past. So why not check this interactive chart depicting future EPS estimates, for Activision Blizzard?
Are Activision Blizzard Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders?
Like standing at the lookout, surveying the horizon at sunrise, insider buying, for some investors, sparks joy. This view is based on the possibility that stock purchases signal bullishness on behalf of the buyer. However, small purchases are not always indicative of conviction, and insiders don't always get it right.
We did see some selling in the last twelve months, but that's insignificant compared to the whopping US$4.3m that the Independent Director, Peter Nolan spent acquiring shares. We should note the average purchase price was around US$42.95. The quantum of that insider purchase is both rare and a sight to behold, not unlike an endangered Amur Leopard in the wild.
On top of the insider buying, it's good to see that Activision Blizzard insiders have a valuable investment in the business. Indeed, they have a glittering mountain of wealth invested in it, currently valued at US$509m. I would find that kind of skin in the game quite encouraging, if I owned shares, since it would ensure that the leaders of the company would also experience my success, or failure, with the stock.
Does Activision Blizzard Deserve A Spot On Your Watchlist?
You can't deny that Activision Blizzard has grown its earnings per share at a very impressive rate. That's attractive. Better still, insiders own a large chunk of the company and one has even been buying more shares. So it's fair to say I think this stock may well deserve a spot on your watchlist. Once you've identified a business you like, the next step is to consider what you think it's worth. And right now is your chance to view our exclusive discounted cashflow valuation of Activision Blizzard. You might benefit from giving it a glance today.
The good news is that Activision Blizzard is not the only growth stock with insider buying. Here's a list of them... with insider buying in the last three months!
Please note the insider transactions discussed in this article refer to reportable transactions in the relevant jurisdiction
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