Stocks pairs trading: HAS vs EA

In the gaming sector, Hasbro (HAS) and Electronic Arts (EA) provide intriguing comparative financials and growth trajectories. A strategic position of going long on HAS and short on EA could take advantage of their distinct market positions and financial metrics.

Why Buy HAS:

Valuation: HAS exhibits a P/E of 28.76, which compared to EA’s 35.73, suggests a more modest market expectation and a potential undervaluation.

Dividend Yield: HAS offers a dividend yield of 3.10%, which is substantially higher than EA’s 0.57%, indicating a better return on investment through dividends.

Diversification and Stability: HAS's broad product line, including toys and board games, may offer more stability against market downturns, especially in the volatile gaming sector.

Why Sell EA:

Forward P/E: EA’s forward P/E of 16.65, while lower than its current P/E, might not fully capture potential risks in the gaming industry, including stiff competition and hit-driven volatility.

Short Interest: EA has a short float of 1.23%, suggesting there is already some market skepticism about its current valuation which may support a short sell strategy.

Performance Metrics: Despite recent upticks in performance, EA's historical EPS growth rate over the past five years was -2.89%, potentially indicating an underlying weakness.

Decision:

BUY 3 HAS
SELL 1 EA