Bernstein SocGen bullish on Netflix stock, but ad-tier growth still in early stages

Published 22/01/2025, 11:52
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On Wednesday, Bernstein SocGen Group increased the price target for Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX), now valued at $371.75 billion, from $780.00 to $975.00 while maintaining a Market Perform rating on the stock. The adjustment follows Netflix's impressive performance, surpassing expectations with its recent subscriber additions. According to InvestingPro, analyst targets for Netflix currently range from $550 to $1,250, with 14 additional ProTips available for subscribers.

Netflix concluded the year with a 16% year-over-year revenue growth and a significant margin improvement, up 600 basis points to 27%. This performance aligns with the company's robust financial health, earning a "GREAT" rating on InvestingPro's comprehensive assessment. This strong finish sets a positive outlook for the upcoming years, with the company's guidance indicating bullish momentum despite foreign exchange headwinds.

The streaming giant added more than 40 million subscribers in 2024, a figure that approaches the total number of Hulu's SVOD subscribers. This growth was uniformly distributed across all regions, validating Netflix's tailored strategies for market penetration.

The company's decision to broadcast NFL games was a strategic move that primarily impacted the U.S. market, confirming Netflix's ability to adapt its offerings to different international markets for sustained growth.

Netflix's advertising-supported tier is also showing promise, with projections to double its ad revenue in 2025. The company is advancing from the initial stages of its ads business, working towards a more robust presence in the advertising space. The current pricing strategy of the ad-tier focuses on subscriber growth, which has proven effective throughout 2024.

The expanded ad-tier is expected to enhance Netflix's monetization capabilities as it establishes itself amongst the leading platforms in the advertising sector. These developments have led to a more optimistic price target for Netflix shares, reflecting the company's potential for continued growth and revenue expansion.

For deeper insights into Netflix's valuation and growth prospects, investors can access the comprehensive Pro Research Report, available exclusively on InvestingPro, along with detailed analysis of 1,400+ other top stocks.

In other recent news, Netflix's earnings report outperformed expectations, leading to multiple financial firms revising their outlooks. BofA raised its stock price target to $1,175, citing the company's consistent growth in subscriber numbers across all markets. This growth is supported by the expansion of its advertising business and the contributions from its gaming, live, and sports offerings.

According to analysts, Netflix's large-scale operations have resulted in revenue growth and improved operating margins, a trend expected to continue with further margin improvements anticipated in 2024.

Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS), Deutsche Bank (ETR:DBKGn), Jefferies, and Citi also raised their price targets for Netflix, expressing confidence in the company's long-term earnings potential and subscriber growth trajectory. Barclays (LON:BARC) upgraded Netflix's stock citing the company's execution quality.

Netflix's recent developments include a focus on developing original content and enhancing user experience. The company has also announced price increases for most of its subscription plans in the United States, Canada, Portugal, and Argentina. These are recent developments that demonstrate Netflix's ongoing momentum in the entertainment industry.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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