Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX) Shares Up 1.3% – Here’s What Happened

Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX)’s stock price shot up 1.3% during trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $78.32 and last traded at $77.99. 29,558,522 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 41% from the average session volume of 49,909,063 shares. The stock had previously closed at $77.00.

Trending Headlines about Netflix

Here are the key news stories impacting Netflix this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Analysts and institutional buyers show conviction — Sanford C. Bernstein reaffirmed a “buy” rating and activists/hedge funds (eg. Coatue) have recently increased Netflix positions, signaling professional investor confidence that could support the share price. MarketScreener: Bernstein Buy Rating Seeking Alpha: Coatue Adds to NFLX
• Positive Sentiment: Bullish analyst narratives: some strategists (e.g., Gary Black) argue deal uncertainty is temporary and see meaningful upside (price-target commentary as high as ~$100), which can encourage buyers on the pullback. Benzinga: Gary Black Bullish on NFLX
• Positive Sentiment: Value/buy-the-dip commentary: mainstream outlets argue NFLX is attractive after a large pullback from all‑time highs, which can draw longer-term buyers. Fool: Why NFLX Is Worth Buying on This Pullback
• Neutral Sentiment: Netflix granted WBD a seven‑day waiver to let Paramount Skydance submit a “best and final” bid — this forces a quick resolution (Paramount has until Feb. 23) while preserving Netflix’s right to match; outcome could raise the ultimate price WBD commands and affect Netflix’s capital deployment. CNBC: Netflix Grants Waiver
• Neutral Sentiment: Warner Bros. Discovery is soliciting Paramount’s best offer while still recommending Netflix’s deal; a higher competing bid could force Netflix to raise its price or walk away — either scenario changes the company’s strategic and financial outlook. MarketBeat: WBD Seeks PSKY Best and Final Offer
• Negative Sentiment: IP and AI litigation risk — Netflix has warned ByteDance over AI-generated Squid Game videos and threatened litigation; legal fights over AI content could raise costs, create reputational headlines, and complicate international relationships. Benzinga: Netflix vs ByteDance AI/IP Warning
• Negative Sentiment: Deal overhang and recent share weakness: commentators note a multi‑month slide (large % off highs) and investor impatience over deal execution/financing risk — this increases volatility and downside risk if the WBD path becomes more uncertain. TipRanks: Deal Risk Overblown / Investor Patience
• Negative Sentiment: Theatrical/industry pushback: cinema exhibitors (e.g., Cinemark CEO) want clearer commitments from Netflix on theatrical windows — a contentious theatrical strategy could complicate the WBD deal rationale and future studio economics. Deadline: Cinemark on Netflix Theatrical Commitments

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages have commented on NFLX. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a “neutral” rating and issued a $100.00 price target (down from $112.00) on shares of Netflix in a report on Wednesday, January 21st. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on Netflix from $156.00 to $151.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Freedom Capital raised Netflix from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 27th. Evercore restated an “outperform” rating and set a $138.00 target price on shares of Netflix in a research report on Friday, December 5th. Finally, Guggenheim decreased their target price on Netflix from $145.00 to $130.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 21st. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirty-three have assigned a Buy rating and sixteen have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $116.08.

Netflix Stock Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51, a current ratio of 1.19 and a quick ratio of 1.19. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $87.87 and a 200-day simple moving average of $106.42. The stock has a market cap of $329.29 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.86, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.37 and a beta of 1.71.

Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 20th. The Internet television network reported $0.56 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates 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%.Netflix’s revenue for the quarter was up 17.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.43 EPS. Netflix has set its Q1 2026 guidance at 0.760-0.760 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that Netflix, Inc. will post 24.58 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Netflix news, insider Cletus R. Willems sold 3,136 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $82.67, for a total value of $259,253.12. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, insider David A. Hyman sold 5,727 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $81.06, for a total value of $464,230.62. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 316,100 shares in the company, valued at $25,623,066. This trade represents a 1.78% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold 1,399,163 shares of company stock worth $129,899,103 in the last ninety days. 1.37% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. 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 valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 243 shares during the period. DiNuzzo Private Wealth Inc. grew its position in shares of Netflix by 885.2% in the 4th quarter. DiNuzzo Private Wealth Inc. now owns 266 shares of the Internet television network’s stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 239 shares during the last quarter. Turning Point Benefit Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Netflix by 13,400.0% during the fourth quarter. Turning Point Benefit Group Inc. now owns 270 shares of the Internet television network’s stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 268 shares during the period. Imprint Wealth LLC bought a new position in shares of Netflix during the third quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Finally, Cornerstone Financial Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Netflix during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. 80.93% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.