Piper Jaffray Comments On EA's Release Of Madden NFL 12

Piper Jaffray has published a research report on Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) in anticipation of the launch of Madden NFL 12 scheduled for tomorrow, August 30, 2011.

In the report, Piper Jaffray writes "Madden NFL 12 launches tomorrow (8/30) and, we estimate, will represent 5-10% of FY12 revenue. We are expecting flat y/y unit growth (4.1m units worldwide/2.6m NPD units) during the Sept qtr, driven by 3 assumptions: 1) we expect +5% y/y growth in X360 and PS3 Madden SKU's to offset standard-def Madden SKU's (Wii, PS2, PSP) -41% y/y decline, 2) we expect consistent metacritic score in the mid 80's, and 3) we believe mgmt guidance is overly conservative and does not yet factor in a full NFL season."

Piper Jaffray maintains its Overweight rating on Electronic Arts, which closed Friday at $21.50.