New York's Take-Two Interactive who are still in closed door negotiations over a buyout deal with Electronic Arts can now belly up to the table with some solid third quarter numbers to back up the game plan.
Sales of the smash hit Grand Theft Auto 4 reached 1.5 million for the third quarter ending July 31 beating Wall Streets expectations. Net income across the company was $51.8 million, or $0.67 a share compared with a loss of $58.5 million, or $0.81 a share a year ago.
EA had raised the ante for the buyout to $2 billion or $25.74 last month, but let the clock run down as Take Two stalled.
Take-Two's stock rose about $0.50 in extended trade after
closing Thursday's session at $23.23 despite the broader markets taking a New York beating on more bad economic news from lack luster retail returns and an increase in the ranks of the unemployed.