Pokémon Go Mania Sends Nintendo Stock Through The Roof
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- Pokémon Go mania is great for business. Since Nintendo launched the app, its stock has soared, adding $7.5 billion to the company's market value.
The app has available to download since July 6, and is the number one grossing download in the U.S.
Nintendo recorded its highest one-day surge since 1983 on Monday when shares rose 24.5 percent, to $193.
The game sends users on a virtual Pokemon scavenger hunt, and is so popular, police have issued safety warnings to users. Entranced players have been injured after walking into trees and parking meters or wandered onto private property. In St. Louis, four men used the app to lure players to places where they could rob them.
Pokémon Go is free to download but Nintendo is making millions of dollars through in-game microtransactions.
So far, the app is a smash hit, but analysts say Pokémon Go will have to remain at the top of the download charts in order to remain a top earner for Nintendo.