Speculation that video game publisher Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. may be in play shouldn't surprise anyone. After all, with activist shareholders in control now, it becomes a good bet it will eventually be sold. Renewed buyout chatter pushed the stock up Wednesday morning along with higher options trading, according to BloggingStocks.
However, there is an alternate possibility for the trading activity: Microsoft Corp.'s launch of "Halo 3." While at first it may seem counterintuitive that another publisher's title could help Take-Two, upon second thought it really doesn't. The main purpose of "Halo" is to sell Microsoft's Xbox 360 video console. More installed consoles mean more revenue growth potential for all game publishers. Considering Take-Two's current lineup favors the Xbox 360, the bump in consoles sales will invariably help it. —Matthew Wurtzel
