GameStop earnings preview: focus turns to profitability and strategic moves
The video game retailer is set to report Q2 results on 9 September with analysts expecting $0.16 EPS as the company seeks to prove profitability sustainability.
High expectations for Q2 earnings announcement
GameStop will release its second-quarter (Q2) results after the market closes on 9 September 2025, and expectations are running high. Analysts anticipate earnings per share (EPS) of $0.16, a sharp improvement from just $0.01 in the same period a year ago.
Revenue is projected around $823 million, though the retailer's top line remains under scrutiny as the structural challenges facing physical game retail persist. This revenue figure would represent a modest decline from previous quarters, reflecting ongoing headwinds in traditional gaming retail.
The focus has shifted from pure revenue growth to demonstrating that GameStop can maintain profitability improvements while navigating the challenging transition away from physical game sales toward digital and alternative revenue streams.
Investor attention will centre on whether the company can prove that its leaner operating model can generate sustainable profits even amid declining traditional retail revenues.
Volatile earnings history sets stage for potential swings
GameStop has long been a volatile stock, and its recent history suggests that traders should brace for further sharp moves around earnings. The share price rallied 11.6% following the March release and added 7.6% after December's report, but it also fell by nearly 40% in June last year when results disappointed.
That track record underlines the risk of heightened swings once Tuesday's numbers cross the wires, making risk management particularly important for traders considering positions around the announcement.
The binary nature of GameStop's earnings reactions reflects the polarised investor sentiment surrounding the company's transformation strategy and long-term viability.
This volatility pattern suggests that even small deviations from expectations could trigger significant share price movements, creating both opportunities and risks for traders.
Q1 results provide template for Q2 expectations
The company's first-quarter update in June delivered a surprise profit of $0.09 per share, well ahead of the $0.04 expected. However, revenue fell by roughly 15% year-on-year (YoY), reinforcing concerns that sales remain under pressure even as profitability improves.
Cost-cutting and tighter operational discipline were central to that turnaround, demonstrating management's ability to extract profitability from a declining revenue base through operational efficiency improvements.
Attention also focused on GameStop's Bitcoin investment and anticipation surrounding the Nintendo Switch 2, with the latter expected to generate a boost later in the fiscal year.
The Q1 performance established a template showing that GameStop could achieve profitability through cost control, though questions remain about the sustainability of this approach if revenue declines accelerate.
Key themes to monitor in Q2 results
Earnings performance will be crucial, with delivering above the $0.16 EPS forecast potentially cementing confidence in GameStop's new, leaner operating model and its ability to generate consistent profits.
Revenue trends remain critical, with investors looking for evidence of stabilisation after the declines seen in Q1. Even a modest improvement could help shift sentiment toward the company's transformation efforts.
Strategic direction commentary on crypto holdings, store footprint optimisation, and the shift towards digital sales will provide vital context for understanding management's long-term vision and execution progress.
Switch 2 impact represents a potential near-term catalyst, with any guidance on pre-orders or expected momentum possibly providing a boost to both sentiment and share price performance.
Transformation strategy faces sustainability test
GameStop's Q2 update offers the chance to show that profitability is more than a one-off achievement. Yet with revenue still under pressure, the market will demand evidence of a sustainable turnaround rather than just cost discipline.
The challenge for management lies in demonstrating that the business model can generate attractive returns even as traditional gaming retail continues to face structural headwinds from digital distribution.
Any signs that cost-cutting measures are reaching their limits or that revenue declines are accelerating could undermine confidence in the transformation strategy.
Conversely, evidence of stabilising revenues or new growth drivers could validate the strategic pivot and support continued investor interest in the turnaround story.
TipRanks rating and technical analysis
Gamestop has a TipRanks Smart Score of ‘4 Neutral’ and is rated as a ‘sell’ by one analyst.
GameStop TipRanks Smart Score chart
The Gamestop share price, down nearly 8% year-to-date, has been range trading above its June low at $21.54 but is currently trading in one-month highs at $23.41.
Gamestop daily candlestick chart
A rise above the $23.41 level may lead to the June-to-July highs at $24.30-to-$24.84 being revisited. If overcome, the 200-day simple moving average (SMA) at $26.15 may also be reached.
Were a fall through the June-to-August lows at $21.92-to-$21.54 to be seen, though, the March low at $20.73 would be back in sight. Below it lies the October 2024 low at $20.30 which may also be hit in this scenario.
Gamestop weekly candlestick chart
Further down lie the August-to-September 2024 lows at $19.31-to-$18.73 which may offer support.
Trading considerations for volatile earnings
Given the stock's history of outsized reactions to earnings, traders should expect volatility around the release. A meaningful beat could fuel another sharp rally, while any disappointment on revenue or margins risks undoing recent gains.
- Research GameStop's transformation strategy, recent performance trends, and the factors driving profitability improvements to understand the key earnings drivers.
- Prepare for significant volatility around earnings announcements, as GameStop shares often experience large price swings regardless of results quality.
- Open an account with IG by visiting our website and completing the application process.
- Search for 'GameStop Corp' or its ticker 'GME' on our trading platform or app.
- Implement robust risk management measures, including appropriate position sizing and stop-losses, given GameStop's extreme volatility characteristics.
Spread betting and CFD trading can be particularly useful for trading GameStop around earnings, allowing positions on both rising and falling prices while managing risk through guaranteed stops.
For those with longer-term conviction about GameStop's transformation potential, share dealing provides direct ownership, though investors should be prepared for continued high volatility and uncertain transformation timelines.
The upcoming earnings will be crucial for determining whether GameStop can build on its Q1 profitability success and demonstrate that its business model transformation is gaining sustainable traction in an increasingly challenging retail gaming environment.
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