EA lifts game

The profit result, which equates to 34 cents per share, compares to a loss of US$32.8 million, or 24 cents per share, in the same quarter a year ago.

On average, analysts polled by Thomson First Call had predicted a profit of 17 cents per share. EA posted revenue of US$453 million for the quarter, compared to US$240.2 million in the same quarter a year ago.

EA said titles such as Madden NFL, The Sims and Medal of Honour fuelled results for the quarter.

Revenue from the EA.com online unit also increased during the second quarter, rising 23 percent to US$19 million

For the third quarter, EA is expecting earnings of US$1.50 to US$1.60 per share, on revenue of between $1.075 and $1.175 billion.

The company is now expecting a year end result of between US $2.3 billion and US$2.4 billion, with earnings per share of US$2.24 to US$2.32.