Netflix looks headed to $100 from $71 as subscriber growth stays strong and ad-tier revenue expands rapidly. Real wealth comes from buying in weeks like this, not at all-time highs. x.comÂ
Bill Brooklyn
Capital Preservation, Asymmetric Risk/Reward, Holding Winners
Netflix's ad tier can improve its long-run economics while the stock prices in decline. It is the second most-watched platform on US TV behind YouTube; ad-tier members pay subscriptions and generate ad revenue, with room to improve fill and pricing. Revenue growth, margins and buybacks underpin an Overweight rating and $103 target, 46% upside at the preview price. The quarter was solid, but the soft Q4 guide and ad forecast cut from $3B to ~$2.7B are setbacks the author sees as fixable. x.com … Show more
Netflix's control of its own content keeps growth avenues open even as quality and popularity ebb and flow. Production is costly, but being able to make more is hugely underrated. YouTube pays creators more than double what Netflix spends; its content is not free. Ads need time to gain traction, with live sports where they should prove their worth. Solid earnings outweigh weak short-term guidance; Netflix should become one of Wall Street's hottest stocks again, with targets well into the $150s. … Show more
Netflix's earnings growth cannot keep relying on price increases or a one-time ad-tier rollout when future ad growth depends on impressions. The password-sharing crackdown, ad tier and repeated price hikes amid declining time spent signal a mature business; podcasts and live sports look like attempts to find another growth leg. There is no reason to own the stock beyond its discount to historical valuation, which it should command. x.com x.comÂ
Netflix's improving engagement and record free-cash-flow yield make its continued stock decline look misplaced. Viewing hours rose 24% year over year; CEO Greg Peters said Q3 churn improved globally and in the US, beating forecasts. CFO Spence Neumann expects sustained double-digit revenue growth. x.com x.comÂ
Netflix has a second growth engine most people ignore, with advertising revenue doubling to $3 billion this year. Management guides 12-14% revenue growth at a 31.5% operating margin, and its content moat deepens every year it outspends everyone. x.comÂ
Netflix faces high costs to keep producing major hits, while live TV is expensive and competitive and viewing habits are changing rapidly. It remains a good business and the stock should eventually find support, but even after its decline it is not appealing at this level. x.comÂ
Netflix's growing free cash flow leaves room to keep returning capital to shareholders. It repurchased about $4.8 billion of shares in Q3 and nearly $13 billion over the past 12 months, supporting long-term bullishness. x.comÂ
Netflix is solidifying its dominance as the secular winner of the streaming wars, using global scale to dismantle linear TV. With 325M+ subscribers, strong content drives a loop of more subscribers and revenue, while the ad tier expands its market with high-margin revenue. Projected 2026-2028 growth of 21% in operating income and 24% in EPS justifies a premium. High Conviction Overweight, $120 December 2026 target, about 30x 2027 EPS of $4.01. Risks: rising content spend, EU regulation. x.comÂ
Netflix's slowing growth and weaker outlook make it unattractive for now. Revenue growth decelerated to 11.8%, U.S. TV viewing share fell 0.8 percentage points, advertising guidance was reduced 10%, and full-year free-cash-flow guidance was cut $500M, despite expanding operating margins and better subscriber retention. x.com x.comÂ
Netflix's slowing growth and reduced ad forecast temper the case for ads as a growth engine. Growth eased from 17% a year ago to 12%, with 11.5% expected next quarter; this year's ad revenue forecast fell from about $3 billion to $2.7 billion. Free cash flow guidance fell from $12.5 billion to $12 billion. A more appealing P/E could make adding shares worth considering. x.com x.comÂ