** Shares of video game publisher Take-Two Interactive TTWO.O rise 7% in premarket trading on Friday

** Co reiterated November 19 launch date for the highly awaited Grand Theft Auto VI on Thursday, but forecast annual bookings below Wall St expectations

** J.P. Morgan maintains an "overweight" stance, says "we're a bit surprised by the positive reaction, but in our view it reflects a view that the initial FY27 outlook was a clearing event ahead of the highly anticipated GTA VI launch in November"

** Brokerage adds the combination of the marketing cycle kick-off this summer and now potential for material upward estimate revisions through the year creates a compelling set-up for TTWO shares into the GTA VI launch

** Co forecast Q1 bookings of $1.32 bln to $1.37 bln, below IBES estimates of $1.51 bln

** Average rating of thirty-one analysts is "buy"; with a median PT of $280 - data compiled by LSEG

** Up to last day's close, the stock had fallen 7% YTD