The most important faller within the FTSE 250 to date immediately (7 December) is the Video games Workshop (LSE:GAW) share worth. Regardless of being a powerful development inventory over the previous few years, it’s down 10.4% to commerce at 9,945p. Right here’s what’s happening.

Particulars of the replace

The enterprise launched a buying and selling replace which was the primary one since September. On the face of it, issues are optimistic. The income forecast for the half-year is for it “to be not lower than £235m”, up from the £212.3m from final yr.

Importantly, revenue earlier than tax is estimated to be at least £94m. This might be a rise from £83.6m.

Nonetheless, there was a key level that appears to have underwhelmed buyers. Licensing income is forecasted to fall from £14.3m to £12m. This income refers to conditions when the mental property of the enterprise is licenced out. For Video games Workshop, this consists of Warhammer video video games.

The priority right here is that if demand is slowing for supplementary merchandise associated to the model, it may very well be an early warning signal. It’s one thing that may should be monitored carefully going ahead.

Revenue outlook

One other level that could be contributing to the share worth fall pertains to free money move and dividends. The enterprise often pays out 4 dividends a yr. Though I anticipate that subsequent one to be introduced with the half-year leads to January, I assumed the administration staff would have offered a sign of the dividend measurement on this buying and selling replace.

The very fact it didn’t point out it’s probably barely worrying. It could be a smaller pay out, for causes but to be disclosed. At current, the dividend yield is 4.62%.

One other issue that goes together with accessible funds is the bump up in Christmas bonuses to workers. The money fee is rising from a complete of £4.5m final yr to £7.5m this yr. It equates to £2,500 per workers member.

In fact, this could assist to spice up workers motivation. It’s not an enormous unfavorable, however some buyers could be involved this lowers money that may very well be used for dividends.

Nothing to fret about

I believe the response within the share worth immediately is overdone. Regardless of the issues round licencing income and dividend potential, Video games Workshop is doing very nicely.

It has a diversified income stream and is bucking the broader pattern of outlets that promote to shoppers having a poor 2023.

Provided that the inventory is up 43% over the previous yr and 253% over the previous 5 years, I see the drop immediately as a short-term dip. In fact, with a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.87, it’s not low cost, even with the dip. But I believe when buyers think about the long-term development prospects, the inventory does look enticing.