Despite the choppy start to the year, fourth-quarter earnings season has been encouraging for investors and companies alike. A Wall Street Journal report indicates the average S&P 500 Index (SPX) stock has swung by around 5.5% after reporting results—well above the roughly 3.9% move up or down anticipated by derivatives traders. The upbeat reports are a beacon of stability amid a very anxious time for Wall Street.Over 90% of S&P 500 companies are scheduled to report earnings after President Trump's inaugura ...

It can be difficult to find great stocks. After all, there are more than 4,000 public companies listed on just the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq.But occasionally, you come across a stock that is simply too good to ignore.Netflix (NFLX 0.09%) is hardly an unknown stock. Yet, its familiarity can work against it by obscuring its excellent performance. Case in point: Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos just delivered an outstanding report that should remind everyone of what a juggernaut Netflix has become. Her ...

Great earnings push Netflix to new all-time highs. With the leading streamer and the market at high valuations, what should investors expect over the next few years?In this podcast, Motley Fool analyst Jim Gillies and host Dylan Lewis discuss:Netflix's record subscriber additions and new all-time highs, and how price increases feed into its advertising plans.The market's Shiller PE ratio as the Trump administration takes over, and how high valuations affect expectations around returns.What updates from Inte ...

Market Performance and FAANG Stocks - The Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500, and Nasdaq Composite rose by 13%, 23%, and 29% respectively in 2024, with all three indexes hitting multiple record-closing highs [1] - FAANG stocks, including Netflix, have significantly outperformed the S&P 500 over the trailing 10-year period, driven by first-mover and sustainable competitive advantages [2] - Netflix has been a key driver of the S&P 500's performance in early 2025 [3] Netflix's Stock and Financial Performance - Netflix's stock reached an all-time intra-day high of $999 per share, up nearly 10% for the year, 79% over the trailing year, and close to a 1,500% gain over the trailing decade [4] - The company added 18.91 million global streaming subscribers in Q4 2024, significantly higher than the 2 million to 13 million range seen since early 2023 [5] - Netflix's ad-supported tier has attracted 70 million paying subscribers since its introduction in November 2022, resolving the subscriber growth slowdown experienced in 2022 [7] Netflix's Strategic Initiatives - Netflix's original content, including top shows like Squid Game, Wednesday, and Stranger Things, has driven viewership and subscriber retention [6] - The company's crackdown on password sharing has boosted subscriber growth and supported the rapid expansion of its ad-supported tier [8] - Netflix has increased the price of its ad-based tier by $1 to $7.99, and its ad-free and premium plans by $2.50 and $2 to $17.99 and $24.99 respectively, leveraging its pricing power [9] Stock Split Opportunity - Netflix's board missed an opportunity to announce a stock split, which could have made shares more affordable for retail investors [12] - Historically, companies that undertake stock splits have averaged a 25.4% return in the 12 months following the announcement, compared to the S&P 500's 11.9% return [14] - A stock split could attract retail investors, as only 18% of Netflix's shares are owned by non-institutional investors, likely due to the high share price of nearly $978 [16] Valuation and Market Context - Netflix is trading at 11 times its trailing-12-month sales, a level that has historically preceded significant share price declines [18] - The S&P 500's Shiller P/E ratio is at its third-highest reading (nearly 39) during a continuous bull market, indicating a historically pricey stock market [17] - Despite its premium valuation, a stock split could make Netflix's stock more attractive to investors, given the historical outperformance of split stocks [19]

I have previously written articles for The Motley Fool, TheStreet, and AOLs BloggingStocks.I also write fiction. I have stories published at Nikki Finke's Hollywood Dementia site, including "The Streaming Service," "The Screenwriterman," "Mygalomorph" and "Spielberg's Last Film."Here is a link to my YA book, "Abner Wilcox Thornberry and The Witch of Wall Street."This is a collection of short horror stories: Tales From Salem, Mass.Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of DI ...

At Friedrich Global Research we are searching for what we believe will be the safest and best performing companies in which to buy stocks. We focus on free cash flow, efficient capital allocation, and consistently superior results to identify the highest quality management teams.Founder of Bern Factor LLC, an independent research and publishing firm located in Virginia. I have nearly 40 years of investing and analysis experience. I am a former CPA (1990 -2017) and became a CFA charter holder in 2000. I cons ...

We bring a rigorous research-driven approach to uncovering high-conviction stocks with compelling growth potential across dynamic sectors like big tech, semiconductors, AI, and healthcare. Leveraging comprehensive sector insights, We analyze both low-risk and selective high-risk plays that have the potential to outperform. Each investment idea is backed by thorough research and strategic foresight, aimed at helping investors navigate today’s complex markets and secure strong returns. Follow for sophisticate ...

I’m a retired Wall Street PM specializing in TMT; since kickstarting my career, I’ve spent over two decades in the market navigating the technology landscape, focusing on risk mitigation through the dot com bubble, credit default of ‘08, and, more recently, with the AI boom. In one word, what I’d like my service to revolve around is momentum.Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within th ...

Video streaming giant Netflix (NFLX -0.58%) recently reported a blowout fourth quarter thanks to strong subscriber growth, proving the company can continue to lead a saturated streaming market. The stock surged roughly 10% immediately following the news, and Netflix now has a nearly $415 billion market cap.Obviously, shareholders love to see a company beat earnings, and analysts were impressed by the performance with one calling it a "near flawless" quarter. However, beyond the headline numbers, co-CEOs Ted ...

Financial Position - As of December 31, 2024, the company had $15.7 billion in aggregate principal amount of senior notes outstanding and $6.2 billion in total content liabilities[84]. - The company has a $3 billion unsecured revolving credit facility, which has not been utilized as of December 31, 2024[84]. - As of December 31, 2024, the company had $15.7 billion in debt, consisting of fixed-rate unsecured debt due between 2025 and 2054[176]. - The company’s short-term investments are primarily in government securities, which are classified as available-for-sale and recorded at fair value[175]. Debt and Capital Risks - The company faces risks related to its substantial indebtedness and obligations, which may limit its ability to generate sufficient cash to service its debt[83]. - The company may seek additional capital through equity or debt securities, which could result in stockholder dilution[81]. Operational Risks - The company is subject to various international operational risks, including compliance with local laws and economic instability[85]. - The company has significant content commitments that are largely fixed costs, which may adversely impact margins if business performance does not meet expectations[80]. - The company relies on key employees, and high turnover could disrupt operations and adversely affect results[91]. - The company is subject to tax risks in multiple jurisdictions, which may lead to increased tax obligations if laws change[90]. Currency and Foreign Exchange Risks - The company is exposed to fluctuations in currency exchange rates, which could impact revenues and expenses of its international operations[86]. - 56% of the company's revenue and 29% of operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2024, were denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar[177]. - The unfavorable foreign exchange rate impact for the year ended December 31, 2024, was approximately $1,424 million, primarily due to the devaluation of the Argentine peso[178]. - If the U.S. dollar weakened by 10%, the amount recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) related to foreign exchange contracts would have been approximately $1.9 billion lower as of December 31, 2024[179]. - The company began entering into foreign exchange forward contracts to mitigate foreign exchange risk on intercompany transactions and monetary assets and liabilities not denominated in functional currencies[182]. - A hypothetical adverse change in exchange rates of 10% would have resulted in income before income taxes being approximately $38 million lower as of December 31, 2024, compared to $516 million lower as of December 31, 2023[182]. Market and Interest Rate Risks - The company’s stock price is volatile and may be affected by various factors, including market conditions and competition[95]. - Changes in interest rates could adversely affect the market value of the company's securities[175]. - The fair value of the company's debt will fluctuate with movements of interest rates and foreign currency rates[176]. - The company uses non-derivative instruments to mitigate foreign exchange risk related to net investments in certain foreign subsidiaries[181].