Though GameStop's (GME -3.94%) Q4 and full-year 2019 results missed analyst estimates, investors still bid up the company's shares in trading today over news that its earnings per share (EPS) beat predictions by a comfortable amount. Analyst consensus had pegged EPS at $0.79, but the software and electronics hardware retailer posted $1.27 instead, beating by $0.48. Its stock jolted more than 12% higher in after-hours trading on the news, though the rise moderated somewhat.
Still trading at under $5 (though it came close to breaking that threshold after hours), GameStop is still well below its 12-month high of more than $10 per share. Analysts had expected the company to deliver $2.24 billion in net revenue, while the actual revenue figure was $2.19 billion.
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The gaming retailer's results showed some potentially positive signs, even if those were only smaller losses than those it sustained in 2018. Its operating loss fell from negative $702 million for 2018 to almost half as much, for a negative $399.6 million loss in 2019. Gross margin increased by 160 basis points, thanks to a 31% reduction in inventory. Adjusted expenses dropped by $130 million as the company pursued measures for greater efficiency.
GameStop's recent efforts to remain open through the coronavirus outbreak failed. Instead, it's switched over to a delivery and curbside pickup model for the time being. Counterbalancing this, the company said today that orders for products useful for online learning and remote work are rising because of COVID-19. However, the future remains uncertain enough for GameStop to issue no 2020 guidance at this time.
