The gaming publisher’s fiscal third quarter, ending Dec. 31, revealed a stark contrast between top-line growth and bottom-line performance. Net income plummeted to $88 million, or 35 cents per share, down from $293 million in the prior year. Revenue grew a modest 1% to reach $1.9 billion, but the highlight of the report was a record $3.05 billion in net bookings. This metric, which accounts for deferred revenue from online services, was propelled by the "EA Sports FC" ecosystem, particularly its mobile platform and the high-margin "Ultimate Team" mode.

The Privatization Path

The results arrive as EA navigates a seismic shift in its corporate structure. In September, the company announced a $55 billion agreement to go private with a consortium including the Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake, and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners. Due to the pending nature of this transaction, which is slated to close in the first quarter of fiscal 2027, management declined to hold its traditional earnings conference call for this period.

Before the buyout announcement, EA had projected full-year fiscal 2026 revenue between $7.1 billion and $7.5 billion, with earnings per share expected to land between $3.09 and $3.79. The company’s ability to maintain momentum in its sports titles remains critical as it approaches the final stages of regulatory approval and customary closing conditions for the merger.