The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Microsoft, Glu Mobile, Scientific Games, King Digital Entertainment and Apple

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – December 01, 2014 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include the Microsoft Corp. (MSFT-Free Report), Glu Mobile, Inc. (GLUU-Free Report), Scientific Games Corp. (SGMS-Free Report), King Digital Entertainment plc (KING-Free Report) and Apple Inc. (AAPL-Free Report).

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Here are highlights from Friday’s Analyst Blog:

Video Game Stock Roundup

The last five full trading sessions turned out to be a cheerful period for most of the video game stocks. In the wake of Thanksgiving and new games launches, most of the stocks traded bullish in the stocks market except for stocks such as Microsoft Corp. (MSFT-Free Report) and Glu Mobile, Inc. (GLUU-Free Report), which registered some dips.

One of the major events over the past weeks was the completion of the much-awaited merger of Scientific Games Corp. (SGMS-Free Report) with Bally Technologies, Inc. Further, King Digital Entertainment plc’s (KING-Free Report) official launch of Candy Crush Soda Saga remained in focus.

Top Stories Over the Last Week

1. Microsoft’s video game production unit Microsoft Studios released the latest matchmaking patch for Halo: The Master Chief Collection. The company has made many improvements including fixing interface bugs, party system issues and enhancement of the overall stability and performance of the game.

2. Scientific Games recently completed its merger with Bally Technologies. The $5.1 billion deal included the latter’s debt refinancing of approximately $1.8 billion. The recent move is expected to diversify Scientific Games’ product portfolio and expand its global footprint. Moreover, it eliminates one of its closest competitors, which will help in expanding market share. (Read More: Scientific Games Up on Bally Technologies Merger Closure)

3. Apple Inc. (AAPL-Free Report) launched a two-week campaign as part of its efforts to fight AIDS. In this regard, Apple partnered with video gaming companies to incorporate their apps in the campaign. Titles featuring in the campaign include Zynga’s Farmville, EA’s FIFA15, Sims and Angry Birds, to name a few. The collaboration will support Apple’s AIDS campaign, while promoting the video gaming stocks involved in this campaign.

5. King Digital Entertainment organized celebrity events in New York and London for the official launch of its Candy Crush Soda Saga mobile game. Following the massive hit game Candy Crush Saga (rated No. 2 mobile game on the app stores and generating $260 million in revenue in the last quarter) we believe the launch will be able to lure new players and strengthen the company’s long-term prospects.

Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free.

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