GTA6 to 'set a new baseline' for Take-Two Interactive, game publisher ups its 2026 outlook

Take-Two Interactive stock rebounded out-of-hours, after the 2k and Grand Theft Auto publisher reported third-quarter financials on Tuesday.

Significantly, Take-Two boss Strauss Zelnick said the hotly anticipated (and previously delayed) instalment of the GTA franchise is expected to set "a new financial baseline" for the business, when it is (finally) released in November this year.

In terms of the current 'financial baseline', Take-Two reported net bookings of $1.76 billion in its third quarter, ended December 31, and said it has raised its fiscal-year outlook.

Total Net Bookings grew 28% year-over-year to $1.76 billion, above the company's guidance range, the company said in the results statement. Net Bookings from recurrent consumer spending grew 23% and accounted for 76% of total Net Bookings, it added.

GAAP net revenue was $1.70 billion, compared with $1.36 billion in last year’s fiscal third quarter, the filing showed.

Take-Two, meanwhile, told investors that recurrent consumer spending increased 20% and accounted for 77% of GAAP net revenue, and named titles including NBA 2K26, Grand Theft Auto Online and Grand Theft Auto V among the largest contributors.

CEO Strauss Zelnick commented: "Our outstanding third quarter results reflect outperformance from all of our labels, and we are once again raising our Net Bookings outlook for Fiscal 2026.

"With ongoing momentum across many of our businesses, and the highly anticipated launch of Grand Theft Auto VI on November 19th, we continue to project record levels of Net Bookings in Fiscal 2027, which we believe will establish a new financial baseline for our business, set us on a path to enhanced profitability, and provide further balance sheet strength and flexibility."

Take Two, the parent company above Rockstar Games, 2K Games and Zynga, raised its outlook for fiscal 2026, moving its forecasted Net Bookings to between $6.65 and $6.7 billion. At the same time, it shifted expectations for its fourth quarter, pitching the range at $1.51 to $1.56 billion for bookings.

Full-year earnings (non-GAAP EBITDA) are now forecast at $657 to $681 million.

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In the market, the reaction was net positive, with Take Two rallying some 5% in afterhours trade - following a 4% pullback in Tuesday's 'regular' Wall Street trading, before the release.

Whilst the financial lines are moving the stock price, attentions are solidly on the November 2026 GTA6 release and, in the meantime, that launch is likely to be the dominant focus for investors.

The Recap

• Take-Two reported fiscal third-quarter Net Bookings of $1.76 billion.
• Company raised fiscal 2026 Net Bookings outlook to $6.65 to $6.7 billion.
• CEO says GT6 will set "a new financial baseline" for Take-Two