Analyst Optimism Fuels Take-Two’s Record-Breaking Rally

Take-Two US8740541094

Take-Two Interactive is closing out the year with significant momentum. Despite initial investor concerns following the delay of Grand Theft Auto VI, a renewed focus on long-term growth prospects has taken hold. This shift in sentiment is largely driven by several equity research firms, which argue the stock retains substantial upside potential even at current heights, citing the enduring strength of the publisher's core gaming franchises.

The company's shares closed at $255.87 in the latest session, hovering just below their 52-week peak of $256.09. Year-to-date, the stock has advanced approximately 43%, decisively breaking through previous resistance levels.

A key catalyst for the recent surge was a new initiation report from Benchmark. The firm commenced coverage on Monday with a "Buy" rating and a $300 price target. This projection implies a potential gain in the mid-teens percentage range from current trading levels. Benchmark's assessment follows a similar call from B. Riley Securities, which issued an identical $300 price target the prior week. Collectively, these endorsements have propelled the equity on a six-day winning streak.

The central thesis from analysts hinges on the anticipated impact of GTA VI and the robust, ongoing performance of established live-service titles like NBA 2K and GTA Online. These franchises are expected to provide a steady financial bridge until the next major release.

The technical picture further underscores the rally's intensity. The stock is trading about 19% above its 50-day moving average and nearly 24% above its 200-day line. Its 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) reading of 83.9 signals a short-term overbought condition, highlighting the extent of recent bullish sentiment.

Protecting a Valuable Portfolio

Alongside the positive analyst commentary, Take-Two has demonstrated active vigilance over its intellectual property. On Monday, it was reported the company successfully enforced a DMCA takedown notice to remove a browser-based port of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City from the DOS Zone platform.

While the financial impact of this single case is negligible for a multi-billion dollar corporation, the move underscores management's stringent approach to protecting its brands. Market observers interpret this as a signal that Take-Two intends to actively manage and monetize its extensive catalog of classic titles—a strategic factor that could amplify the financial benefits of its upcoming pipeline.

Moving Past the Delay

The current stock strength is particularly notable given the recent announcement regarding GTA VI. In November 2025, the company pushed the game's launch to November 19, 2026. The news initially triggered volatility, but the shares have since moved decisively past that phase to achieve new highs.

According to market interpretations, the delay now appears to be largely priced in. The focus has shifted toward expectations for a pronounced "super-cycle" of revenue once GTA VI finally launches. The bullish targets from Benchmark and B. Riley suggest Wall Street is anticipating record net bookings for fiscal years 2027 and 2028.

Near-Term Catalysts

In the immediate term, attention turns to whether the stock can stabilize above the $250 level, which has emerged as a key psychological threshold. The next potential catalyst is already on the horizon: Take-Two is scheduled to report its third-quarter fiscal year results in early February 2026. This earnings release will indicate whether the company's operational trends support the ambitious analyst targets or if the powerful rally necessitates a period of consolidation.