In a surprising last-minute decision, French video game publisher Ubisoft Entertainment SA postponed the release of its first-half financial results on Thursday, November 14, 2025, the very day they were scheduled to be made public.
Trading Suspended Amid Financial Reporting Delay
The company took the extraordinary step of requesting a temporary halt to trading of its shares and bonds on Euronext Paris. Ubisoft stated it needed "extra time to finalize the closing of the semester," according to an internal memo sent to employees. The company's American depositary receipts plummeted by as much as 19% following the announcement, adding to a difficult year that has seen its Paris-listed shares fall by 49%.
This type of day-of postponement is highly unusual for any publicly traded company and immediately raised concerns among investors and industry observers. Ubisoft confirmed it would publish its results "in the coming days" and would inform the market when trading would resume.
Montreal Operations and Recent Challenges
The gaming giant maintains significant operations in Canada, with approximately 5,000 employees nationwide, including 4,000 staff based in its Montreal offices. This makes the Montreal location one of Ubisoft's largest development hubs globally.
The delay comes during a period of notable challenges for the Assassin's Creed publisher. In May, the company announced it needed more development time for several major titles and projected no revenue growth for the fiscal year. Last year, Ubisoft pushed back the release of Assassin's Creed Shadows to make improvements following middling reviews for its Star Wars Outlaws game.
Broader Context and Market Impact
The company had planned to host a media briefing with Chief Financial Officer Frederick Duguet before market close in Paris, but the call was first postponed and then canceled entirely without explanation.
Earlier this year, Ubisoft announced a significant partnership with Chinese tech giant Tencent Holdings Ltd., which involved a US$1.35 billion investment into a new subsidiary holding key franchises including Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, and Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six. This deal resulted from a strategic review that began in January after the disappointing launch of Star Wars Outlaws and delays to the latest Assassin's Creed installment.
In its employee memo, Ubisoft explained that the trading halt was requested "to limit unnecessary speculation and market volatility during this short delay." The company did not immediately respond to requests for additional comment beyond its public statements.
