What’s next for the Roblox share price?

The Roblox share price has soared since its direct listing. There is potential here, but with US tech companies looking pricey in general, I think this stock price could go either way.

| More on:

The content of this article was relevant at the time of publishing. Circumstances change continuously and caution should therefore be exercised when relying upon any content contained within this article.

Blue question mark background and dark space

Image source: Getty Images

When investing, your capital is at risk. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you put in.

Read More

The content of this article is provided for information purposes only and is not intended to be, nor does it constitute, any form of personal advice. Investments in a currency other than sterling are exposed to currency exchange risk. Currency exchange rates are constantly changing, which may affect the value of the investment in sterling terms. You could lose money in sterling even if the stock price rises in the currency of origin. Stocks listed on overseas exchanges may be subject to additional dealing and exchange rate charges, and may have other tax implications, and may not provide the same, or any, regulatory protection as in the UK.

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More.

The Roblox (NYSE:RBLX) share price is up around 100% at $89.70 from its March 2021 direct listing price of $45. The company has a market cap of $51bn now, a significant increase on the $29.5m value arrived at in the private funding round in January 2021.

Operationally Roblox has reported revenues of $387m for the first quarter of 2021, a 140% year-on-year increase. Average daily active users of the Roblox platform increased 79% year-on-year to 42.1m. However, operating losses swelled to $135m in the first quarter of 2021, from $73m a year previously.

So, the Roblox share price and the company itself have been growing robustly. Of course, the pandemic helped in that it meant more people spending more time on digital leisure activities. Although that effect will dissipate, Roblox has ambitious plans for continuing to grow into the future.

What is Roblox?

Roblox is not a game; it’s a place where people (mainly under 13 years old) go to play games made by other developers. The developers create the games using Roblox’s tools. To play games, users have to download the Roblox app for desktop, mobile, or console. To create games, users have to download Roblox Studio. Roblox and Roblox Studio are free to download and use. 

Roblox Studio looks a little like the Unity development platform. Both allow games to be developed with and without coding. However, Unity’s platform is a fully-fledged game engine with fewer restrictions and a higher ceiling for developing games that can be deployed to any platform. 

It could be said that Roblox is to game content what YouTube is to video content. It gives games creators a space to showcase and earn money from their work.

Robux

Roblox users buy Robux, the platform currency, with real-world currency. Robux are used to access advanced features and customisations for the platform and games. Roblox splits the real revenue earned by selling Robux three ways. Around a quarter goes to app stores that users used to download and operate the Roblox platform. Another quarter goes to games developers. That leaves around half for Roblox.Chart showing revenue share of Roblox Robux purchases to various parties

Source: Roblox presentation

The rest of Roblox’s revenue comes from advertising, licensing, and royalties. For example, Roblox-branded items are licensed for sale through third parties, and various media companies advertise on Roblox.

Roblox share price

I think comparing the Roblox platform to YouTube is reasonable. Needham & Company, a research firm, valued YouTube at roughly $300bn as a standalone entity based on revenue multiples. Roblox’s current market cap is $51bn. If Roblox can eventually rival YouTube in terms of revenue and scale, I would expect the Roblox share price to move higher.

Roblox wants to grow into a place where users can play games and learn and hold parties with their virtual friends. Artists are already hosting launch parties on Roblox. That could support a move to YouTube-like valuations. On the other hand, the Roblox platform’s audience is much younger than YouTube, and it does not have the breadth of content yet. That would argue for Roblox not achieving YouTube-like valuations. With the entire US tech sector looking pricy, I think the Roblux share price could go either way, and at the moment, I am watching from the sidelines.

Should you invest, the value of your investment may rise or fall and your capital is at risk. Before investing, your individual circumstances should be assessed. Consider taking independent financial advice.

James J. McCombie has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

More on Investing Articles

Investing Articles

This FTSE AIM travel business could absolutely skyrocket in 2025

FTSE AIM stock Jet2 appears to be a bargain in plain sight. I’m desperately searching for reasons not to buy…

Read more »

Investing Articles

This Bank of England news makes me fear for Lloyds and its share price!

Warnings of weak economic growth, resurgent inflation, and falling interest rates pose a toxic cocktail for Lloyds' share price.

Read more »

Bus waiting in front of the London Stock Exchange on a sunny day.
Investing Articles

2 UK shares that could soar if interest rates sprint lower!

The Bank of England's latest meeting has fed speculation of swingeing interest rate cuts. I think these UK shares could…

Read more »

Shot of a senior man drinking coffee and looking thoughtfully out of a window
Investing Articles

My favourite FTSE dividend stock just jumped 17%! So why am I sad?

This investor has mixed feelings today as a quality dividend stock from the FTSE 250 surged higher in his portfolio.…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Here’s why AstraZeneca stock jumped nearly 6% in the FTSE 100 today

FTSE 100 heavyweight AstraZeneca helped propel the blue-chip index to a record high today. Here's what investors were cheering.

Read more »

Closeup of "interest rates" text in a newspaper
Investing Articles

Interest rates fall again! Here are 3 FTSE dividend growth shares to consider buying

As interest on cash savings becomes increasingly less attractive, Paul Summers has been looking at dividend growth shares for passive…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Up 10% today, I think this FTSE 250 growth share could continue to surge!

Babcock International's flying after upgrading its full-year forecasts. I think the FTSE 250 defence share might just be getting started.

Read more »

Investing Articles

The AstraZeneca share price jumps 5% on today’s strong results – but is it too expensive?

Harvey Jones hails the brilliant long-term performance of the AstraZeneca share price, but wonders whether the FTSE 100's biggest company…

Read more »