ADVERTISEMENT

Activision's earnings report was leaked early and it halted trading of the stock (ATVI)

Activision, the massive video game company behind hit franchises like "Call of Duty," "Overwatch," and "Destiny," halted trading on its stock early on Thursday afternoon after its earnings report leaked early.

  • Q1 financial results for Activision, the massive video game company behind blockbuster franchises like "Call of Duty" and "Destiny," were accidentally published hours early by news outlet Dow Jones.
  • Shares of Activision were abruptly halted following the error, but not before the stock had a wild swing.
  • Dow Jones said it regretted the error and was "reviewing" its processes.
ADVERTISEMENT

Video game giant Activision had an action-packed afternoon on Thursday after its quarterly financial results were accidentally published hours ahead of schedule by Dow Jones, causing the stock to spike and plummet before trading was abruptly halted.

The company's first quarter results were scheduled to be published on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. ET, after the stock market's regular trading session closes. But information from the embargoed report was accidentally published around 1 p.m. ET, during regular market hours by Dow Jones Newswire.

The news agency confirmed the mistake to Business Insider in an email: "We regret our error as well as inadvertently breaking the embargo. We have issued a correction and are reviewing our processes."

ADVERTISEMENT

It was not immediately clear whether the mistake by the newswire was due to human error, a computer glitch or some other factor.

Immediately after the report went live, Activision stock spiked — and then slowly crashed. When the error was noticed, soon after 2 p.m. ET, trading on Activision stock was halted. The official halt time was 2:12 p.m. ET, by which time stock was down 5%, overall, hours ahead of normal market close.

According to the accidentally published report, Activision beat expectations with over $1.7 billion in revenue for Q1 2018. That number was later revised, according to CNBC, to $1.965 billion.

Activision stock resumed trading at 3:25 p.m. ET, and has been steadily regaining value since.

Representatives for Activision did not respond to a request for comment as of publishing.

FOLLOW BUSINESS INSIDER AFRICA

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Recommended articles

Kenyan women are more obese than their men - here’s why

Kenyan women are more obese than their men - here’s why

Africa’s richest man Dangote stands between Europe and $17 billion in revenue

Africa’s richest man Dangote stands between Europe and $17 billion in revenue

After months of exchanging blows, Kenya and Uganda takes steps towards resolution

After months of exchanging blows, Kenya and Uganda takes steps towards resolution

Africa's first black billionaire could join $2.9 billion Vivendi bid for MultiChoice

Africa's first black billionaire could join $2.9 billion Vivendi bid for MultiChoice

10 most dangerous African countries in 2024

10 most dangerous African countries in 2024

Russia’s nuclear influence expands further north of Africa

Russia’s nuclear influence expands further north of Africa

Navigating the future: How AI transforms selling on Amazon

Navigating the future: How AI transforms selling on Amazon

Wall decor tips: Transforming your space with style and creativity

Wall decor tips: Transforming your space with style and creativity

Putin's African diplomacy: Security talks with West, Central Africa take centre stage

Putin's African diplomacy: Security talks with West, Central Africa take centre stage

ADVERTISEMENT