Sour stock market debut for ‘Candy Crush Saga’ makers

Shares in King Digital Entertainment fell as much as 15% in their debut yesterday, underscoring concerns about the firm’s reliance on Candy Crush Saga and dashing hopes its coming-out party would revive investor interest in the mobile gaming sector.

Mobile gaming executives had looked to London-based King’s initial public offering to help sweep aside scepticism over a notoriously fickle, volatile market.

However, King’s shares fell to a low of $19.08 (€13.84) in morning trade from their initial public offering price of $22.50, which had valued the company at about $6bn.