Electronics Boutique today announced results for its second quarter, which ended July 30, 2005, and the news is mixed for the game retailer.

　　On the plus side, total revenue for the quarter was $448.3 million, up 23.9 percent from $361.9 million for the same quarter last year, and software sales were up 17.8 percent. In explaining the numbers, the company noted continued demand for the PSP, as well as strong performances by NCAA Football 06, Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, and Pokemon Emerald.

　　However, the company's net income was down from the same period last year to $1.6 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, as opposed to last year's $3.9 million, or $0.16 per diluted share. The major reasons given for the slip were $1.4 million in pre-tax costs associated with the upcoming merger with main rival GameStop and $1 million net loss from its recent acquisition of the Spanish retail chain Jump and its 138 stores.

　　Despite the reduced income, the company is maintaining its fiscal outlook, projecting that diluted earnings per share for fiscal year 2006 will range from $2.34 to $2.44. However, that projection excludes the impact of the Jump acquisition and the merger-related costs, the two reasons it says net profits slid in the first place.

　　Electronics Boutique stock took a slight dip as a result of the news and was trading after hours at $63.81 today, off $0.19 from its $64 closing price.

　　The company also narrowed its time frame for the GameStop merger. Previously, the deal was expected to go into effect before the end of the year, but the merger is now expected to close in early October.