Investor Snapshot: EA's rally slows

Today, Electronic Arts (ERTS) saw its recent rally slow down for the first time since news that it clinched exclusive deals with the NFL and ESPN. Shares in the game giant rose 72 cents--up 1.12 percent--to close at $65.06. EA stock has gained nearly $20 a share since October 2004.

Stock in EA's sports-game rival, Take-Two Interactive (TTWO), also climbed slightly, up 1.16 percent, closing 61 cents higher at $35.66. THQ Inc. (THQI) shares were up 2.74 percent today after the company reported its third-quarter earnings; its stocks closed 61 cents higher at $22.86.

In fact, almost every major game-industry stock was up today, including Konami (KNM), whose shares closed 1.86 percent higher, up 41 cents to $22.49. Midway (MWY) was also up after news that it is establishing a new office in Germany, closing 1.75 percent, or 17 cents, higher at $9.90. Eidos (EIDSY) stock climbed 1.45 percent, up 2 cents a share to close at $1.40. Shares in Mad Catz Interactive (MCZ), a maker of game-console accessories that just announced a new line of products for the PSP, rose 7.84 percent, up 8 cents to close at $1.10. Atari (ATAR) stocks continued their rise today, closing 6.03 percent higher, up 14 cents to $2.86. Vivendi Universal (V), Jamdat (JMDT), Electronics Boutique (ELBO), and Gamestop Corp. (GME) were all up by small amounts.

The only firm to lose share value today was Activision (ATVI), whose stocks dropped .80 percent to close 18 cents lower at $22.42. The dip followed Hillard Lyons Research analyst Jeffrey S. Thompson's recommendation to downgrade Activision's stock from "long-term buy" to "neutral." Activision has seen its share prices climb steadily over the past three months, from just above $14 a share to its current spot at $22.42.