Major Funds Increase Stakes in Take-Two Ahead of Pivotal Release

Take-Two US8740541094

As Take-Two Interactive Software prepares for what may be the most significant product launch in its corporate history, substantial investment firms are significantly expanding their holdings. Recent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission reveal a strong vote of confidence from institutional buyers, even following the announced delay of Grand Theft Auto VI to November 2026.

Institutional investors now control a record 95.46% of the video game publisher’s outstanding shares. Recent activity highlights major accumulation. The Vanguard Group increased its stake by 4.5%, bringing its total holding to more than 21.7 million shares. BlackRock added 784,935 shares, a 4.6% boost. One of the most striking moves came from UBS Asset Management, which amplified its position by 59.5%.

In a separate significant development, Norway’s sovereign wealth fund, Norges Bank, initiated a completely new position in Take-Two, valued at approximately $731 million.

Financial Performance and Raised Guidance

Take-Two’s financial results for the second quarter of fiscal 2026 demonstrated underlying strength. The company reported revenue of $1.77 billion, surpassing analyst consensus estimates of $1.71 billion. Bookings reached $1.96 billion, also exceeding the firm’s own forecast. Consequently, management raised its full-year bookings guidance to a range of $6.4 to $6.5 billion.

The reported GAAP net loss of $133.9 million is largely attributed to continued investment in development and amortization costs related to the acquisition of Zynga. The mobile segment, a key growth area, showed a 12% year-over-year increase and now contributes nearly half of all bookings.

Analyst Sentiment Turns Overwhelmingly Positive

Market researchers have responded with upgraded ratings and price targets, fueled by expectations for the upcoming title. In early December, Arete Research shifted its rating from "Neutral" to "Buy," assigning a $284 price target. Firms including Jefferies, Wedbush, Benchmark, and DA Davidson see a $300 per share target as achievable. Currently, 19 out of 20 covering analysts recommend purchasing the stock.

The optimism centers on GTA VI. Analysts project fiscal year 2027 bookings of around $11.9 billion, driven by an estimated 45 million unit sales at a base price of $80. The recent delay moves roughly $3 billion in anticipated bookings from fiscal 2026 into fiscal 2027.

Insider Selling Presents a Contrast

A contrasting trend appears in the trading activity of corporate insiders. Chief Financial Officer Lainie Goldstein sold 1,612 shares for about $400,000 in early December. Board members Ellen Siminoff and Michael Sheresky also disposed of stock. Over the past six months, regulatory filings document 37 separate insider sale transactions without a single recorded purchase. Collectively, company insiders hold only 1.34% of shares.

The substantial institutional accumulation suggests major investors are willing to look past the near-term delay, focusing instead on the long-term financial potential of the upcoming release.