Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) Given Average Rating of "Moderate Buy" by Analysts

Key Points

• Analyst consensus: "Moderate Buy" — 51 brokerages cover Netflix (34 Buy, 15 Hold, 2 Strong Buy) with an average 1‑year price target of about $114.82.
• Q1 beat but cautious outlook: Netflix reported $1.23 EPS (vs. $0.76 est.) and $12.25B revenue with strong margins, yet set modest Q2 guidance (EPS ~0.78) and some analysts have trimmed price targets citing near‑term margin pressure.
• Notable insider activity and leadership change: Co‑founder Reed Hastings and the CFO executed large share sales (Hastings sold 420,550 shares for ~$40.2M), insiders sold ~1.49M shares worth $136.3M in the last 90 days, and Hastings is stepping away — a potential governance/uncertainty signal for investors.

Shares of Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX - Get Free Report) have earned an average recommendation of "Moderate Buy" from the fifty-one brokerages that are covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Fifteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirty-four have assigned a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average 1-year price target among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $114.8244.

A number of equities analysts have commented on the company. Robert W. Baird decreased their price target on Netflix from $150.00 to $120.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 23rd. Pivotal Research set a $96.00 price target on Netflix and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, April 17th. Wells Fargo & Company assumed coverage on Netflix in a research note on Monday, March 9th. They issued an "equal weight" rating and a $105.00 price target on the stock. Sanford C. Bernstein decreased their price target on Netflix from $115.00 to $110.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, April 17th. Finally, Weiss Ratings cut Netflix from a "buy (b-)" rating to a "hold (c+)" rating in a research note on Thursday, January 22nd.

More Netflix News

Here are the key news stories impacting Netflix this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q1 results and profitability showing strength (revenue and EPS beat, healthy margins) supporting the bull case. Netflix NASDAQ: NFLX Posted Healthy Earnings But There Are Some Other Factors To Be Aware Of
• Positive Sentiment: Piper Sandler lifted its price target to $115 and kept an Overweight rating after Q1, signaling continued analyst confidence in the recovery trajectory. Netflix, Inc. (NFLX): One of the Best Big Name Stocks to Buy
• Positive Sentiment: Bullish commentary and feature pieces argue the pullback is a buying opportunity for long‑term investors, reinforcing demand from value‑oriented buyers. Netflix Stock Is Down 32%. Here's Why It's a Screaming Buy.
• Positive Sentiment: Standalone bullish takeaways (analyst/upside stories and price‑target raises) and promotional pieces (e.g., “$25 billion reason to buy”) are adding incremental positive flow. A $25 Billion Reason to Buy Netflix Stock in April 2026
• Neutral Sentiment: Management is shifting capital allocation to prioritize profit discipline and diversify into ads, live sports, gaming and experiences — a strategic positive long term but a source of near‑term uncertainty as margins reset. Netflix Weighs Profit Discipline Against Growth In Sports Gaming Experiences
• Neutral Sentiment: Market commentary offers mixed views — some investors say it’s a buy at current levels, others say valuation still looks rich versus near‑term risk. I Want to Buy Netflix Stock, Just Not at This Price
• Neutral Sentiment: Regional viewing data: Netflix usage in Australia is strong overall, but viewers favor non‑local content — a programming/market mix datapoint without immediate earnings impact. Netflix Audiences In Australia Are Booming, But Report Finds They Aren't Watching Local Content
• Negative Sentiment: Bernstein trimmed its price target (from $115 to $110) citing near‑term margin pressure — a reminder investors are watching cost control as Netflix scales content, ads and new initiatives. Bernstein Reduces PT on Netflix (NFLX) on Near Term Margin Concerns
• Negative Sentiment: Erste downgraded the stock from buy to hold, reflecting some analyst caution after the run and amid margin/growth tradeoffs. Finviz analyst note (Erste downgrade)
• Negative Sentiment: Co‑founder Reed Hastings is stepping away from the company — a governance/leadership change that can introduce investor nervousness despite management continuity. Netflix Co-Founder Reed Hastings Is Leaving the Company. What Does This Mean for the Stock?
• Negative Sentiment: Q2 guidance and near‑term EPS cadence remain modest (management set relatively low Q2 EPS guidance), which keeps focus on execution and margins and caps near‑term upside.

Insider Activity

In other Netflix news, Director Reed Hastings sold 420,550 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, April 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $95.49, for a total value of $40,158,319.50. Following the transaction, the director owned 3,940 shares in the company, valued at approximately $376,230.60. The trade was a 99.07% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, CFO Spencer Adam Neumann sold 57,260 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $95.50, for a total transaction of $5,468,330.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 73,787 shares in the company, valued at $7,046,658.50. The trade was a 43.69% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold a total of 1,487,794 shares of company stock worth $136,255,772 over the last ninety days. 1.37% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Netflix

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. First Financial Corp IN increased its stake in shares of Netflix by 900.0% during the fourth quarter. First Financial Corp IN now owns 270 shares of the Internet television network's stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 243 shares during the period. DiNuzzo Private Wealth Inc. increased its stake in shares of Netflix by 885.2% during the fourth quarter. DiNuzzo Private Wealth Inc. now owns 266 shares of the Internet television network's stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 239 shares during the period. 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 purchased a new position in shares of Netflix during the third quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Finally, Cornerstone Financial Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Netflix during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.93% of the company's stock.

Netflix Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:NFLX opened at $92.32 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of $388.72 billion, a PE ratio of 29.82, a PEG ratio of 1.19 and a beta of 1.67. The company's fifty day moving average is $94.19 and its 200 day moving average is $97.18. Netflix has a 52 week low of $75.01 and a 52 week high of $134.12. The company has a quick ratio of 1.41, a current ratio of 1.41 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43.

Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 16th. The Internet television network reported $1.23 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.76 by $0.47. The company had revenue of $12.25 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $12.17 billion. Netflix had a net margin of 28.52% and a return on equity of 40.92%. The firm's revenue was up 16.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $6.61 EPS. Netflix has set its Q2 2026 guidance at 0.780-0.780 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that Netflix will post 3.53 earnings per share for the current 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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