Report: Ubisoft Eyeing Dev Acquisitions

According to a new report, publisher Ubisoft is currently considering the acquisition of two to three unnamed studios, though chairman Yves Guillemot adds that the company is determined to remain "cash positive" throughout the coming fiscal year. As quoted by Reuters, Guillemot told a news conference that looking forward, "the idea is to stay cash positive, but we remain on the lookout for acquisition opportunities." Talking to the news organization, CFO Alain Martinez said the company had "two or three opportunities" it was considering, notably certain unnamed development studios. Martinez added that the acquisitions would be in the 1 million to 20 million euro range ($1.3-26.9 million). Ubisoft's latest financial report showed that the company has recently cleared its debts and is now showing a net cash balance of €55 million ($74 million). Martinez told Reuters that the company could end the fiscal year with net cash of 75 million to 95 million euros, excluding any forthcoming acquisitions. Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter has recently said that he considers shares in Ubisoft "seriously undervalued, as the market does not appreciate the company’s potential to grow faster than the market and deliver contribution margins in line with its peers."