Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX – Get Free Report) shares rose 3.3% on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $98.71 and last traded at $98.66. Approximately 36,703,487 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 25% from the average daily volume of 49,248,805 shares. The stock had previously closed at $95.55.
More Netflix News
Here are the key news stories impacting Netflix this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Management has pushed through another across-the-board subscription price increase, which should boost near-term ARPU and margins and is being framed by some analysts as durable pricing power for the ad and non-ad tiers. Netflix Is Raising Prices Again: What It Means for Investors
- Positive Sentiment: UBS and other brokers have recently highlighted Netflix as a top TMT pick and some shops have nudged price targets higher, supporting investor confidence. Netflix Labeled ‘Top Pick’ Among Media Stocks. Here’s Why.
- Positive Sentiment: Large institutional buyers and hedge funds are adding exposure (reports on D.E. Shaw and others), signaling conviction from professional investors even as some insiders trim holdings. Institutional demand is supporting the rally. Institutional Investors Pile Into Netflix Even as Company Executives Head for the Exits
- Positive Sentiment: Analysts and previews expect a strong Q1 2026 print (revenue and margin tailwinds from pricing, ads and content engagement), which reduces near-term downside risk ahead of earnings. What to Expect From Netflix’s Q1 2026 Earnings Report
- Neutral Sentiment: Coverage and trading tools show elevated options-implied moves into earnings (market pricing ~7% move), making volatility-sensitive strategies more attractive but increasing short-term risk around the report. Trade Netflix Stock with This Iron Condor Strategy to See a 23% Return in Just 3 Weeks
- Neutral Sentiment: Reports that Netflix explored — and then stepped back from — a Warner Bros. acquisition (and/or related large-deal coverage) continue to swirl; such strategic moves would be transformational but carry major execution and financing questions. Netflix’s US$42.2b Warner Bros. Deal Tests Growth And Discipline
- Neutral Sentiment: Partnerships to extend event streaming into commercial venues (EverPass distribution for the Fury vs. Makhmudov fight) show growth in venue/licensing monetization but are incremental to subscriber revenue. EverPass Media Expands Relationship with Netflix; Secures Exclusive Commercial Rights to Distribute Upcoming Fury vs. Makhmudov Fight in the U.S.
- Negative Sentiment: Corporate insider selling and executive departures have been reported alongside institutional buying, creating a governance/insider-sentiment concern for some investors. Institutional Investors Pile Into Netflix Even as Company Executives Head for the Exits
- Negative Sentiment: Losses in bidding for major IP (e.g., reports about missing out on Harry Potter) highlight content risks — building new franchises is costly and uncertain, which could pressure long-term content ROI. Netflix searches for franchises after losing out on Harry Potter
Analysts Set New Price Targets
NFLX has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Morgan Stanley set a $110.00 target price on Netflix and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 21st. William Blair reiterated an “outperform” rating on shares of Netflix in a research report on Wednesday, January 21st. Benchmark restated a “hold” rating on shares of Netflix in a report on Tuesday, January 13th. HSBC reduced their price objective on shares of Netflix from $107.00 to $106.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 21st. Finally, Susquehanna upgraded shares of Netflix to a “positive” rating and set a $112.00 target price for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 21st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirty-five have assigned a Buy rating and thirteen have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $114.57.
Netflix Stock Up 3.3%
The firm has a 50-day moving average of $87.73 and a two-hundred day moving average of $100.01. The stock has a market capitalization of $416.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 39.04, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.46 and a beta of 1.67. The company has a quick ratio of 1.19, a current ratio of 1.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51.
Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX – Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, January 20th. The Internet television network reported $0.56 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.55 by $0.01. The company 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 in the previous year, the business posted $0.43 EPS. Netflix has set its Q1 2026 guidance at 0.760-0.760 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Netflix, Inc. will post 24.58 earnings per share for the current year.
Insider Activity
In other Netflix news, CFO Spencer Adam Neumann sold 57,260 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $95.50, for a total value of $5,468,330.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 73,787 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,046,658.50. This represents a 43.69% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Reed Hastings sold 426,290 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $91.67, for a total transaction of $39,078,004.30. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 3,940 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $361,179.80. The trade was a 99.08% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold a total of 1,520,133 shares of company stock valued at $137,259,786 in the last three months. 1.37% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.
Institutional Trading of Netflix
Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Netflix by 0.4% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 38,521,322 shares of the Internet television network’s stock worth $46,183,983,000 after purchasing an additional 142,238 shares during the period. Contravisory Investment Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Netflix by 837.2% during the fourth quarter. Contravisory Investment Management Inc. now owns 111,380 shares of the Internet television network’s stock valued at $10,443,000 after buying an additional 99,496 shares during the last quarter. Grove Bank & Trust lifted its stake in shares of Netflix by 1,379.8% in the fourth quarter. Grove Bank & Trust now owns 25,512 shares of the Internet television network’s stock valued at $2,392,000 after buying an additional 23,788 shares during the period. CIBC Capital Markets Europe S.A. grew its position in Netflix by 171.4% during the third quarter. CIBC Capital Markets Europe S.A. now owns 66,503 shares of the Internet television network’s stock worth $79,732,000 after buying an additional 42,000 shares in the last quarter. Finally, NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC grew its position in Netflix by 2,184.8% during the fourth quarter. NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC now owns 85,727 shares of the Internet television network’s stock worth $7,841,000 after buying an additional 81,975 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.93% of the company’s stock.
Netflix Company Profile
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.
Further Reading
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