Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX) Shares Up 1% After Analyst Upgrade

Shares of Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) shot up 1% during trading on Tuesday after Hsbc Global Res upgraded the stock to a strong-buy rating. The stock traded as high as $91.15 and last traded at $90.32. 44,573,366 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 6% from the average session volume of 42,058,867 shares. The stock had previously closed at $89.41.

Other analysts have also recently issued reports about the stock. Barclays reissued a “neutral” rating and set a $110.00 price objective on shares of Netflix in a research note on Friday, December 5th. Evercore ISI reissued an “outperform” rating and set a $138.00 price target on shares of Netflix in a research report on Friday, December 5th. Jefferies Financial Group restated a “buy” rating on shares of Netflix in a research note on Wednesday, December 17th. Piper Sandler restated an “overweight” rating and issued a $140.00 price objective (down from $150.00) on shares of Netflix in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Finally, TD Cowen decreased their target price on Netflix from $145.00 to $142.50 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, October 7th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-nine have given a Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $128.59.

Insider Buying and Selling at Netflix

In other news, insider David A. Hyman sold 314,620 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $109.98, for a total transaction of $34,603,166.08. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 316,100 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $34,765,942.40. The trade was a 49.88% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Cletus R. Willems sold 2,380 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $110.03, for a total transaction of $261,878.54. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last quarter, insiders sold 1,598,370 shares of company stock worth $168,251,193. Insiders own 1.37% of the company’s stock.

Trending Headlines about Netflix

Here are the key news stories impacting Netflix this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Ad-tier momentum: Netflix’s ad-supported tier and ad revenues are showing acceleration (record ad quarter, plans to double ad revenue in 2025), supporting secular growth beyond subscriptions. Netflix Ad-Tier Growth Accelerates
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst backing: Some firms (e.g., BMO reiterated Buy; HSBC initiated coverage with a Strong-Buy) are highlighting fundamentals and ad-driven upside, giving holders a bullish counterweight to M&A worries. Buy Rating Reaffirmed on Netflix
• Positive Sentiment: Strategic upside if deal closes: Moving to an all-cash bid could increase the probability Netflix wins Warner Bros., which investors view as transformative long-term — removing stock-swap risk for WBD shareholders. Netflix’s Bid to Acquire Warner Bros. Discovery Just Got a Boost
• Neutral Sentiment: Earnings focus: Q4 results and guidance remain primary near-term catalysts; previews show expectations for solid top-line/ad momentum but the WBD bid is distracting attention from operating fundamentals. Netflix Q4 2025 Earnings Preview
• Neutral Sentiment: Volatility trades: Increased option activity and ideas like calendar spreads reflect elevated short-term volatility; some traders are using options to play or hedge the earnings/M&A news. Netflix Calendar Spread: A Smart Play on Volatility
• Negative Sentiment: Financial drag risk: Analysts warn an all-cash takeover would materially draw on cash and likely depress FY2026 EPS, raising concern about leverage and near-term profitability. All-Cash Deal Will Be a Drag on FY2026 EPS
• Negative Sentiment: Legal & political overhang: Paramount’s litigation and rising political and regulatory scrutiny (public pushback) increase the risk of delays, additional costs or a blocked transaction. Paramount Sues Warner Bros. Over Netflix Deal
• Negative Sentiment: Market reaction & volatility: Shares have shown sharp swings since the takeover news — intraday dips on all-cash rumors and higher-than-normal volume reflect investor uncertainty and short-term selling. NFLX Stock Dips Amid All-Cash Bid Rumors

Institutional Trading of Netflix

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. First Financial Corp IN increased its holdings in Netflix by 900.0% during the 4th quarter. First Financial Corp IN now owns 270 shares of the Internet television network’s stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 243 shares during the last quarter. Imprint Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Netflix during the third quarter worth approximately $25,000. Retirement Wealth Solutions LLC bought a new stake in shares of Netflix in the third quarter worth $28,000. MB Levis & Associates LLC increased its stake in shares of Netflix by 177.8% in the fourth quarter. MB Levis & Associates LLC now owns 300 shares of the Internet television network’s stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 192 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Legacy Investment Solutions LLC acquired a new stake in Netflix in the second quarter valued at $31,000. 80.93% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Netflix Stock Down 2.0%

The stock has a market capitalization of $375.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.99 and a beta of 1.71. The company has a current ratio of 1.33, a quick ratio of 1.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.56. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $99.84 and its 200 day simple moving average is $113.42.

Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, October 21st. The Internet television network reported $5.87 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $6.96 by ($1.09). Netflix had a return on equity of 41.86% and a net margin of 24.05%.The company had revenue of $11.51 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.51 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $5.40 EPS. Netflix’s revenue for the quarter was up 17.2% on a year-over-year basis. Netflix has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 5.450-5.450 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that Netflix, Inc. will post 24.58 EPS for the current fiscal year.

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.