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    Roblox, Take-Two Level Up: But Can Gaming Stocks Survive A Macro Boss Fight?

    Benzinga·04/22/2025 12:44:46
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    At least one analyst says Take-Two Interactive Inc (NASDAQ:TTWO) and Roblox Corp (NYSE:RBLX) are best positioned to ride out whatever macro headwinds the gaming sector goes through, such as potential console cost hikes.

    As markets brace for market turbulence and the tariff chatter gets louder, JPMorgan's Cory Carpenter says the gaming sector may not take a full hit but will still feel some rumble.

    While the low cost and hit-driven nature of video games helped them hold steady during the 2008/09 downturn, things are more complicated now thanks to the rise of mobile and live services.

    "AAA titles and free-to-play mobile games will likely prove most resilient," Carpenter says, while in-app purchases and catalog titles could take a hit.

    But within this mixed bag, some stocks are still flashing green.

    Read Also: GameStop Enters The Danger Zone: Death Cross Flashes, But Ryan Cohen Isn’t Flinching

    GTA Hype Keeps Take-Two In The Game

    Take-Two remains a top pick. Carpenter sees a potential upside surprise this quarter, thanks to steady NBA 2K trends and a surprise mobile breakout in Color Block Jam. Zynga's migration to AppLovin Corp's (NASDAQ:APP) mediation platform might also quietly boost Take-Two's mobile business.

    Of course, all eyes remain on GTA VI. Investor nerves are growing as the Fall 2025 window nears with no second trailer. Carpenter thinks a Winter release won't shake the stock too much – but early 2026? That's another story.

    JPMorgan holds its $225 price target steady, assuming 36 million GTA VI units at $70 apiece – numbers that might even prove conservative.

    Roblox Levels Up With User Surge, Ad Power-Up

    Roblox is the only name in JPM's coverage where estimates are getting a real upgrade. Daily active users just hit a record 97 million, and that's a strong setup for a first-quarter beat.

    The newly launched rewarded video ads and programmatic ad partnership with Alphabet Inc‘s (NASDAQ:GOOGL) (NASDAQ:GOOG) Google could turbocharge 2025 results.

    Carpenter nudges his full-year bookings estimate to $5.296 billion – at the high end of company guidance.

    EA Gets FC Boost, Playstudios Stays In Penalty Box

    Electronic Arts Inc (NASDAQ:EA) sees a modest lift to its price target ($135) on stronger FC trends, helped by frequent content updates that re-energized player sentiment. But with no word on when Battlefield will deploy, JPMorgan is keeping its FY26 outlook cautious.

    Meanwhile, Playstudios Inc (NASDAQ:MYPS) stays on the bench with an Underweight rating as in-app purchase revenue continues to fall. Without a breakout from its upcoming Sweepstakes and Tetris titles, JPMorgan expects 2025 revenue to hover at the low end of guidance.

    While macro clouds linger over gaming, JPMorgan sees selective bright spots – particularly in Roblox and Take-Two. For investors, it's less about beating the market and more about backing the right boss battle.

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