Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX) Trading Up 1% Following Analyst Upgrade

Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX)’s share price was up 1% 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. Approximately 44,573,366 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 6% from the average daily volume of 42,058,867 shares. The stock had previously closed at $89.41.

A number of other analysts have also recently commented on NFLX. Loop Capital cut their price objective on Netflix from $135.00 to $132.50 in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. President Capital raised shares of Netflix from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $130.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Cfra Research cut shares of Netflix from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, January 5th. Cowen reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Netflix in a research report on Monday, December 8th. Finally, Needham & Company LLC restated a “buy” rating and set a $150.00 price target on shares of Netflix in a research report on Tuesday, December 9th. Two equities research 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’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $128.59.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Reed Hastings sold 426,290 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 2nd. The shares were 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. This represents a 99.08% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CEO Theodore A. Sarandos sold 20,270 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $109.21, for a total transaction of $2,213,646.16. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 151,680 shares in the company, valued at $16,564,669.44. This trade represents a 11.79% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold a total of 1,598,370 shares of company stock valued at $168,251,193 in the last ninety days. 1.37% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Key Stories Impacting Netflix

Here are the key news stories impacting Netflix this week:

• Positive Sentiment: HSBC initiated coverage with a “strong-buy” and other firms have reiterated bullish views, giving analysts’ support and a takeover narrative that can prop the stock if deal odds hold. HSBC initiates coverage of Netflix (NFLX) with buy recommendation
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts and previews suggest Netflix could beat or show growth in the upcoming earnings report, a near-term catalyst that investors are watching closely. Netflix (NFLX) Earnings Expected to Grow: Should You Buy?
• Positive Sentiment: Content wins (e.g., awards for Netflix titles at the Golden Globes) reinforce the platform’s engagement and brand value, a helpful tailwind for subscriber and advertising momentum. 2026 Golden Globes: ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Keeps Winning The Gold This Awards Season – Forbes
• Neutral Sentiment: TD Cowen cut its price target from $142 to $115 but kept a “buy” rating — reduces upside expectations vs. prior targets while still signaling conviction; mixed impact on sentiment. TD Cowen lowers price target on Netflix to $115 — Benzinga
• Neutral Sentiment: Market technicals and commentary (oversold RSI, buy-the-dip stories, options-play pieces) suggest some traders are positioning for a rebound ahead of earnings; useful for momentum traders but not a fundamental guarantee. Netflix Calendar Spread: A Smart Play on Volatility
• Negative Sentiment: Major legal and political headwinds: Paramount’s lawsuit and proxy effort and public opposition from political figures increase uncertainty over the Warner Bros. Discovery transaction — this M&A overhang remains the dominant downside risk to the stock. Paramount sues Warner Bros. over Netflix deal — Benzinga
• Negative Sentiment: Analysts and coverage note regulatory and execution risks (Benchmark maintaining Hold citing valuation and M&A uncertainty; WSJ reports operational challenges with live streaming), which could amplify volatility if earnings or deal updates disappoint. Maintaining Hold on Netflix — TipRanks/Benchmark Netflix Wanted to Reinvent Live TV — WSJ

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of NFLX. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in Netflix by 0.4% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 38,521,322 shares of the Internet television network’s stock valued at $46,183,983,000 after purchasing an additional 142,238 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp increased its holdings in shares of Netflix by 2.1% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 17,444,013 shares of the Internet television network’s stock worth $23,359,801,000 after buying an additional 360,604 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of Netflix by 2.4% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 9,926,733 shares of the Internet television network’s stock valued at $13,234,278,000 after buying an additional 229,182 shares during the period. Nordea Investment Management AB lifted its holdings in Netflix by 886.6% in the fourth quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 9,667,997 shares of the Internet television network’s stock valued at $902,798,000 after acquiring an additional 8,688,113 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Assenagon Asset Management S.A. grew its position in Netflix by 983.1% in the fourth quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 6,234,314 shares of the Internet television network’s stock worth $584,529,000 after acquiring an additional 5,658,740 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.93% of the company’s stock.

Netflix Stock Performance

The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $100.64 and a 200-day simple moving average of $113.97. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.56, a current ratio of 1.33 and a quick ratio of 1.33. The company has a market cap of $382.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.73 and a beta of 1.71.

Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 21st. The Internet television network reported $5.87 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $6.96 by ($1.09). The business had revenue of $11.51 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.51 billion. Netflix had a net margin of 24.05% and a return on equity of 41.86%. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 17.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $5.40 EPS. Netflix has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 5.450-5.450 EPS. As a group, 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.