Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX – Get Free Report) was upgraded by stock analysts at Huber Research from a “strong sell” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report issued on Friday,Zacks.com reports.
Several other analysts also recently weighed in on NFLX. Phillip Securities raised shares of Netflix from a “sell” rating to a “moderate buy” rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $95.00 to $100.00 in a research report on Monday, January 26th. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Netflix in a research note on Wednesday, January 21st. Guggenheim cut their target price on Netflix from $145.00 to $130.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 21st. Erste Group Bank lowered Netflix from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on Netflix from $127.50 to $124.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, November 18th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirty-three have assigned a Buy rating and fifteen have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $115.91.
Get Our Latest Stock Report on Netflix
Netflix Stock Performance
Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX – Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, January 20th. The Internet television network reported $0.56 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.55 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $12.05 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $11.97 billion. Netflix had a return on equity of 43.26% and a net margin of 24.30%.The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 17.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.43 EPS. Netflix has set its Q1 2026 guidance at 0.760-0.760 EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that Netflix will post 24.58 EPS for the current year.
Insider Buying and Selling
In other Netflix news, Director Reed Hastings sold 426,290 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $91.67, for a total value of $39,078,004.30. Following the sale, the director owned 3,940 shares in the company, valued at approximately $361,179.80. This represents a 99.08% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, CFO Spencer Adam Neumann sold 9,248 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $81.27, for a total transaction of $751,584.96. Following the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 73,787 shares in the company, valued at $5,996,669.49. The trade was a 11.14% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold a total of 1,399,163 shares of company stock valued at $129,899,103 in the last three months. 1.37% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.
Institutional Inflows and Outflows
A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its holdings in Netflix by 912.5% in the fourth quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 390,014,981 shares of the Internet television network’s stock valued at $36,567,805,000 after purchasing an additional 351,493,659 shares during the period. State Street Corp raised its stake in shares of Netflix by 927.6% during the 4th quarter. State Street Corp now owns 176,780,995 shares of the Internet television network’s stock worth $16,574,986,000 after buying an additional 159,578,053 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Netflix by 892.0% during the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 99,598,678 shares of the Internet television network’s stock valued at $9,305,336,000 after buying an additional 89,558,684 shares in the last quarter. Capital World Investors lifted its position in shares of Netflix by 859.1% during the 4th quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 89,341,444 shares of the Internet television network’s stock valued at $8,376,656,000 after buying an additional 80,025,890 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its stake in Netflix by 685.8% in the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 86,058,878 shares of the Internet television network’s stock valued at $8,068,882,000 after acquiring an additional 75,107,069 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.93% of the company’s stock.
Key Stories Impacting Netflix
Here are the key news stories impacting Netflix this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Netflix formally declined to match Paramount Skydance’s higher offer for Warner Bros., ending the bidding war and securing a large breakup / termination payment that preserves cash and avoids taking on a complex, debt‑heavy asset. Netflix Receives Termination Fee After WBD Deal Collapse
- Positive Sentiment: Investors cheered the exit as it reduces near‑term strategic risk and potential integration headaches; commentators and analysts framed the decision as disciplined capital allocation, which helped lift shares. Netflix, Paramount shares jump as months-long fight for Warner ends
- Positive Sentiment: Regulatory and political risk eased — a planned Senate antitrust hearing tied to the deal was canceled after Netflix withdrew, removing a headline risk that would have attracted more scrutiny. After Netflix Drops Warner Bros. Bid, GOP Senator Cancels Planned Antitrust Hearing
- Positive Sentiment: Analysts and brokers responded with upgrades and higher price targets (Wolfe, Arete, Evercore coverage appears), supporting the rally and signaling refreshed bullish conviction. Wolfe Research adjusts price target on Netflix to $110 from $95; maintains outperform
- Positive Sentiment: Operational news also helped sentiment: Netflix expanded live sports/content reach by partnering with Apple to co‑broadcast the Canadian F1 Grand Prix, reinforcing content momentum outside M&A headlines. Apple and Netflix team up to air Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix
- Neutral Sentiment: Market structure changed: Paramount Skydance looks set to win the Warner Bros. deal, which removes one strategic path for Netflix but also eliminates a costly contest; outcome may affect industry dynamics long‑term rather than Netflix’s near‑term earnings. Project Warrior: How Paramount beat Netflix in $110bn battle for Warner
- Negative Sentiment: Some opinion pieces warn of political/antitrust fallout and reputational/strategic implications from the episode (claims the fight became politicized and that Netflix’s positioning could invite scrutiny). These narratives could re‑emerge if Netflix pursues other large deals. Opinion | Why Netflix Lost Warner to Paramount
About Netflix
Netflix, Inc (NASDAQ: NFLX) is a global entertainment company that provides subscription-based streaming of films, television series, documentaries and other video content. Founded in 1997 by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph and headquartered in Los Gatos, California, the company began as a DVD-by-mail rental service and introduced streaming video in 2007. Netflix later expanded into producing and distributing original programming, beginning notable original hits in the 2010s, and now operates a content production and distribution ecosystem alongside its licensing activity.
The company’s primary product is its on-demand streaming service, which can be accessed on a wide range of internet-connected devices and delivered through a suite of apps and web platforms.
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