Take-Two Shares Rally on Leaked Pricing for Grand Theft Auto VI

Take-Two shares rebound 4.4% on GTA VI price speculation, strong analyst ratings, and a major internal stake transfer by Saudi Arabia's PIF.

Take-Two Interactive shares staged a significant rebound on Tuesday, climbing 4.40% to close at $204.19. The surge was fueled by renewed speculation around the publisher's most anticipated title, Grand Theft Auto VI, following the emergence of a potential retail price online. This positive movement coincided with continued institutional interest in the video game company.

A Potential Price Point Sparks Debate

The catalyst for the rally was a placeholder listing discovered on the digital storefront Loaded (formerly CD Keys) on February 22. The listing suggested a price of £89.99 for the standard edition of GTA VI, which converts to approximately $99.99. A separate listing for a PC version via the Rockstar Games Launcher was priced at £60.99. While neither Rockstar Games nor its parent company, Take-Two, has officially confirmed these figures, the leak ignited widespread discussion regarding the game's final cost.

This debate is particularly charged given industry estimates that place the game's development budget near $1 billion, potentially making it the most expensive video game ever produced. The official launch date is confirmed for November 19, 2026, on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles.

Institutional Confidence and Analyst Outlook

Despite a challenging start to the year, which saw the stock decline roughly 20% from its 52-week high of $264.79 reached in October 2025, analyst sentiment remains largely positive. Of the 20 research firms covering the stock, 17 maintain a "Buy" or equivalent rating. The consensus price target stands at $283.94, implying a potential upside of nearly 40% from current levels. In mid-February, Raymond James Financial upgraded Take-Two to "Strong Buy" with a $285 price target.

The stock's Tuesday gain notably outperformed its peers. Electronic Arts shares edged up just 0.26%, Hasbro advanced 1.56%, and Playtika declined by 2.39%.

Strategic Share Transfer by Saudi Investor

In a parallel development, a major shareholder restructured its holding. Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund transferred its stake of approximately 11 million Take-Two shares, valued at nearly $3 billion, to its subsidiary, Savvy Games Group. This was an internal reorganization, not a sale. Savvy Games Group, a key vehicle for the kingdom's "Vision 2030" economic diversification strategy, now holds the second-largest stake in Take-Two.

Quarterly Results: A Mixed Financial Picture

The company's latest quarterly report, released on February 3, presented contrasting metrics. Net Bookings grew 28% year-over-year to $1.76 billion, exceeding the company's own guidance. Adjusted earnings per share came in at $1.23, soundly beating consensus estimates of $0.83. As a result, Take-Two raised its full-year Net Bookings forecast to a range of $6.65 billion to $6.7 billion.

However, on a GAAP basis, the company reported a net loss of approximately $93 million, or $0.50 per share. Following the earnings release, the stock initially fell about 5% and continued its downward trend through mid-February.

Investors are now looking ahead to the next quarterly update scheduled for May 14. This will be the final earnings report before the blockbuster launch of GTA VI in November, ensuring that focus will increasingly shift to the title's monetization strategy and its expected financial impact.