Take-Two Shares Rise 5% to $238 on GTA VI May 18 Pre-Order Leak
Shares of Take-Two Interactive rose 5% to about $238 following viral leaks suggesting GTA VI pre-orders open on Sunday, May 18 via Best Buy’s affiliate program. Rumored screenshots promise a 5% commission for creators, energizing investors ahead of Q4 and fiscal 2026 results due May 21.
1. Stock Reaction
Shares of Take-Two Interactive jumped 5% to roughly $238 after viral leaks circulated screenshots of an alleged Best Buy affiliate email. This surge pushed the stock to its highest level since January as investors eyed potential early sales momentum for GTA VI.
2. Email Leak Details
The leaked email, purportedly sent to Best Buy’s affiliate program members, stated that GTA VI pre-orders would open on May 18 with a 5% commission for creators sharing purchase links. Screenshots have not been authenticated and Rockstar Games has yet to comment or confirm the timeline.
3. GTA VI Release Timeline and Investor Outlook
Grand Theft Auto VI is slated for November 19, 2026, after initial targets shifted from 2025 to May 2026. Investors view an early pre-order window as a sign that the studio can meet this date without further delays and potentially exceed the $1 billion first-72-hour sales record set by its predecessor.
4. Upcoming Earnings and CEO Commentary
Take-Two is scheduled to report Q4 and fiscal 2026 results after market close on May 21, with analysts expecting commentary from CEO Strauss Zelnick on GTA VI progress and sales projections. Investors will closely watch the earnings call for any official pre-order announcement or timeline updates.