Take-Two lifted its full-year forecast following a first-quarter earnings and revenue beat
The shares of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc (NASDAQ:TTWO) are up 4.4% at $174.98 this morning, following the firm's fiscal first-quarter report. Take-Two posted a 54% climb in revenue for its latest quarter, which beat analysts' estimates, and profits that also topped expectations. The company also lifted its full-year forecast, citing strong demand for its popular videogame franchises including "NBA 2K" and "Grand Theft Auto" during the lockdown measures.
This announcement sparked no less than nine price-target hikes from analysts -- the highest coming from Bernstein to $222. Sentiment surrounding the stock was already high coming into today. In fact, 16 of the 20 in coverage considered TTWO a "buy" or better, while its 12-month consensus price target of $175.27 stood at a 5.3% premium to last night's close.
The stock's pre-market perch constitutes yet another record high for Take-Two. In addition, the security is pacing for its fifth consecutive win, with its 20-day moving average acting as solid upward guidance on the charts. Now, TTWO boasts a year-over-year lead of 37.8%.
Options bulls are likely cheering today's earnings win. TTWO sports a 50-day call/put volume ratio of 3.89 at the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Cboe Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), which stands higher than 84% of readings from its 12-month range. This suggests a healthier-than-usual preference for long calls of late.