Ubisoft Shares Fall 33% After Cancelling Six Games and Citing €1B FY26 Loss
Ubisoft shares plunged 33% to a decade low after announcing a major restructuring that cancels six games, including the 'Prince of Persia' remake. The company forecasts an operating loss of €1 billion in FY26 following a €650 million write-down and plans €500 million in cost cuts by 2028.
1. UBSFF Shares Plunge Following Major Restructure
UBSFF shares collapsed by approximately 33% to a decade low after the company unveiled a sweeping organisational overhaul that includes the cancellation of six in-development titles, most notably shelving the highly anticipated Prince of Persia remake. This sell-off represents the worst trading day on record for the Groupe, wiping out more than one-third of its market value in a single session and underscoring investor unease over the scale of the changes.
2. Operating Loss and Write-Downs Signal Near-Term Challenges
The video game publisher now anticipates an operating loss of around €1.0 billion for the fiscal year ending March 2026, driven in part by a €650 million write-down tied to project cancellations and studio closures. Management warned that the portfolio refocus will weigh heavily on short-term financials across fiscal years 2026 and 2027, even as it aims to establish a foundation for sustainable growth thereafter.
3. Studio Closures and Cost-Cutting Targets
As part of the restructuring, UBSFF will shutter its Halifax and Stockholm development studios and implement workforce reductions at its Abu Dhabi, Helsinki and Malmö operations. The group projects that these measures, alongside broader cost-control initiatives, will save €500 million and reduce fixed costs to €1.25 billion on a run-rate basis by March 2028, down from €1.75 billion in the year ended 2023.
4. Revised Net Bookings Guidance
The company has lowered its net bookings forecast to approximately €1.5 billion for the fiscal year ending March 2026, a decrease of €330 million versus prior guidance. This adjustment reflects the removal of multiple titles from its release slate and signals a more cautious outlook for sales momentum over the next 12 months.