Netflix, Inc. $NFLX Stock Position Lowered by Barton Investment Management

Key Points

• Barton Investment Management trimmed its Netflix stake by 1.2% in the first quarter, but Netflix still remains its largest holding at about 28.3% of the portfolio.
• Netflix is drawing attention for new growth initiatives, including an AI advertising partnership with Omnicom Media and continued expansion into ads, live events, and gaming.
• Despite some positive strategic moves, sentiment remains pressured as NFLX has fallen sharply from recent highs and is trading near its 52-week low, while insiders have also recently sold shares.

Barton Investment Management lessened its stake in shares of Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX - Free Report) by 1.2% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 2,342,962 shares of the Internet television network's stock after selling 28,755 shares during the period. Netflix comprises approximately 28.3% of Barton Investment Management's investment portfolio, making the stock its biggest holding. Barton Investment Management owned approximately 0.06% of Netflix worth $225,276,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Netflix by 912.5% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 390,014,981 shares of the Internet television network's stock worth $36,567,805,000 after buying an additional 351,493,659 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp raised its holdings in shares of Netflix by 927.6% in the fourth quarter. State Street Corp now owns 176,780,995 shares of the Internet television network's stock valued at $16,574,986,000 after acquiring an additional 159,578,053 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Netflix by 892.0% in the fourth quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 99,598,678 shares of the Internet television network's stock valued at $9,305,336,000 after acquiring an additional 89,558,684 shares in the last quarter. Capital World Investors lifted its stake in Netflix by 859.1% in the fourth quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 89,341,444 shares of the Internet television network's stock worth $8,376,656,000 after acquiring an additional 80,025,890 shares during the period. Finally, Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its stake in Netflix by 685.8% in the fourth quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 86,058,878 shares of the Internet television network's stock worth $8,068,882,000 after acquiring an additional 75,107,069 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.93% of the company's stock.

Key Netflix News

Here are the key news stories impacting Netflix this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Netflix announced a new AI advertising partnership with Omnicom Media, combining Acxiom audience data with Netflix’s ad tech to create hyper-personalized, dynamically generated ads. The deal supports Netflix’s push to grow its ad-supported business and could open a new revenue stream. Netflix (NFLX) Teams Up With Omnicom Media To Bring AI Ads Onto The Platform
• Positive Sentiment: Netflix continues expanding beyond core streaming, with recent coverage highlighting growth opportunities in advertising, live events, and gaming. Investors looking for a turnaround may see these initiatives as long-term catalysts. Netflix’s Next Act: Beyond Streaming
• Positive Sentiment: Netflix previewed a new slate of animated projects at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, reinforcing that its content pipeline remains active and that hits from animation could support engagement and subscriber retention. Netflix Previews New Slate At Annecy International Animation Film Fest
• Neutral Sentiment: Recent commentary from analysts and media outlets has focused on Netflix’s weak share performance, its 18-20 month lows, and speculation about acquisitions or “future” growth strategies; these articles reflect sentiment rather than a specific operational update. Netflix is growing but its stock price is shrinking, as the specter of M&A spooks investors
• Neutral Sentiment: Short-interest data showed no meaningful change, so it does not appear to be a major driver of the stock’s move today.
• Negative Sentiment: Multiple reports emphasized that NFLX has fallen sharply from recent highs and is trading near its 52-week low, underscoring investor concern about slowing momentum and valuation risk. Netflix Stock Craters To Lowest Level In 20 Months
• Negative Sentiment: Ongoing criticism that Netflix may be “desperate” to pursue major acquisitions or other big strategic moves is weighing on sentiment, as investors worry about execution and capital allocation. ‘Think About the Future,’ Says Investor About Netflix Stock

Insider Activity at Netflix

In other Netflix news, insider David A. Hyman sold 5,722 shares of Netflix stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $88.08, for a total value of $503,993.76. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 316,100 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $27,842,088. The trade was a 1.78% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. The sale was made to cover tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of equity awards. Also, Director Bradford L. Smith sold 35,990 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $77.52, for a total value of $2,789,944.80. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 79,690 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,177,568.80. The trade was a 31.11% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders have sold a total of 1,349,019 shares of company stock valued at $123,105,721 over the last three months. Company insiders own 1.24% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have issued reports on NFLX shares. China Renaissance increased their target price on shares of Netflix from $90.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, April 17th. Citic Securities upped their price target on shares of Netflix from $95.00 to $107.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research report on Monday, April 27th. Morgan Stanley reiterated an "overweight" rating on shares of Netflix in a research note on Friday, April 17th. Phillip Securities lifted their price objective on shares of Netflix from $100.00 to $110.00 in a report on Monday, April 20th. Finally, Seaport Research Partners boosted their price objective on shares of Netflix from $115.00 to $119.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, April 17th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirty-three have issued a Buy rating, sixteen have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $114.26.

Netflix Stock Performance

Shares of Netflix stock opened at $70.90 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $298.55 billion, a PE ratio of 22.90, a P/E/G ratio of 0.91 and a beta of 1.50. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $86.36 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $89.10. Netflix, Inc. has a one year low of $70.86 and a one year high of $134.12. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43, a quick ratio of 1.41 and a current ratio of 1.41.

Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 16th. The Internet television network reported $1.23 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.76 by $0.47. Netflix had a net margin of 28.52% and a return on equity of 40.92%. The business had revenue of $12.25 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $12.17 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $6.61 EPS. The company's revenue was up 16.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Netflix has set its Q2 2026 guidance at 0.780-0.780 EPS. Research analysts expect that Netflix, Inc. will post 3.6 EPS for the current fiscal year.

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.

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