GameStop drops sharply - then recovers - after report says Apple is exploring a 'Netflix for games'

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GameStop employee Randi Taber (L) sells a copy of 'Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3' to Chris Fowler of Nevada during a launch event for the highly anticipated video game at a GameStop Corp. store November 7, 2011 in North Las Vegas, Nevada. Video game publisher Activision released the eighth installment in the ''Call of Duty' franchise at midnight on November 8.

• GameStop shares fell as much as 5.7% Monday after it was reported that Apple is exploring a subscription video-game business.
• The service would function like a "Netflix for games, allowing users who pay a subscription fee to access a bundled list of titles," according to a report from Cheddar.
• Watch GameStop trade live here.

Video-game and electronics retailer GameStop fell as much as 5.7% Monday after it was reported that Apple was exploring a video-game subscription service. Shares hit a session low of $14.99 immediately following the report before recouping more than half of their losses.

The service would function like a "Netflix for games, allowing users who pay a subscription fee to access a bundled list of titles," according to a report from Cheddar, which cited five people familiar with the matter.

According to the five people, who all requested anonymity, the unannounced plans are in the "early stages of development" and could ultimately still be abandoned, Cheddar's Alex Heath said.

Read more: Amazon is reportedly building a Netflix-like service for video games

Apple reportedly began privately discussing a subscription service with game developers in the second half of 2018. It was unclear how much the subscription would cost, or what kind of games would be offered, according to Cheddar.

GameStop shares soared late last year after the company said it would sell its AT&T Wireless stores for $700 million, but they still lost 31% for the year. They have gained 23% so far in 2019.

The video-game retailer is set to report its fourth-quarter results on March 27.

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