Why the GameStop stock has skyrocketed today



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What happened

Actions of GameStop (NYSE: GME) jumped 27% on Tuesday, helping the stock rise sharply this week.

So what

GameStop said on Monday that its board has created a “strategic planning and capital allocation committee” to accelerate its digital transformation. The committee is chaired by Soft (NYSE: WHO) founder and former CEO Ryan Cohen, who is one of GameStop’s biggest shareholders.

An ascending stock market chart.

GameStop’s share price is skyrocketing again. Image source: Getty Images.

The committee works to strengthen the digital capabilities of GameStop. E-commerce has become a vital segment of the company’s business as sales of traditional game discs have largely given way to digital downloads in recent years.

GameStop has hired several executives to lead its tech-driven initiatives. He is also looking for a new CFO following the resignation of CFO Jim Bell in February.

Now what

GameStop has long sought ways to adapt its operations to changing consumer preferences. Digital game downloads pose an existential threat to its physical retail stores and high-margin used games business, and GameStop has struggled to weather declining sales in these areas.

Cohen joined GameStop’s board of directors in January, with the goal of helping improve the game retailer’s online capabilities. “We are delighted to bring our customer-obsessed mindset and technology experience to GameStop and its strategic assets,” Cohen said in a press release announcing his appointment to the board of directors.

Cohen’s appointment helped spark a short GameStop squeeze that sent its share price up over 15 times before it died out and its shares reversed course. Its success in transforming the retailer into a legitimate e-commerce player will go a long way in determining whether this latest rally in GameStop shares proves to be sustainable.

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a premium Motley Fool consulting service. We are motley! Challenging an investment thesis – even one of our own – helps us all to think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer.



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