Netflix stock backed by JPMorgan for strong growth and rising free cash flow

EditorEmilio Ghigini
Published 08/10/2024, 11:32
© Reuters.
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On Tuesday, JPMorgan reiterated its Overweight rating on Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX) (NASDAQ: NFLX) stock, maintaining a price target of $750.

The firm's optimism is fueled by several key factors that support their bullish stance on the streaming giant. These include expected mid-teens revenue growth in 2024 and 2025, followed by low double-digit growth in 2026.

The growth is anticipated to stem from organic expansion, the implementation of Paid Sharing, and potential price hikes, with advertising revenue contributing more significantly in the years 2025 to 2026.

The firm also forecasts continuous operating margin expansion for Netflix, even as the company keeps investing in content, advertising, and gaming initiatives.

Another positive aspect underlined by the firm is Netflix's multi-year free cash flow (FCF) increase, which is projected to benefit from higher profit margins and disciplined cash content management. This is expected to lead to an uptick in share buybacks.

JPMorgan highlights Netflix's dominant position in the streaming industry as a strong reason for their positive outlook. The firm believes that Netflix's extensive member base, which currently stands at 278 million, has the potential to grow even further as it taps into the over 500 million global connected TV households outside of Russia and China.

The firm's analysis suggests that Netflix's global scale, high user engagement averaging around two hours per day, and a diverse content library will position the company as the primary platform for TV, film, and other long-form content consumption.

JPMorgan projects an average revenue growth of 12% and operating income growth of 18% for the years 2025 and 2026. Additionally, they estimate a 22% increase in GAAP EPS and a 28% rise in free cash flow for the same period, which they believe justifies Netflix's premium valuation.

JPMorgan's $750 price target for Netflix is based on approximately 26.5 times the projected 2026 GAAP EPS of $28.19 and around 29.5 times the forecasted free cash flow of $10.7 billion. The firm has designated Netflix as a Top Pick and stands firm on their Overweight rating.

In other recent news, Netflix has been the subject of various analyst adjustments. TD Cowen raised its price target for Netflix to $820, maintaining a Buy rating based on expected positive third-quarter results and continued business momentum.

This is supported by an anticipated increase in paid net member additions for the third quarter. However, Barclays downgraded Netflix from Equalweight to Underweight due to concerns over the company's growth prospects. Meanwhile, Piper Sandler upgraded Netflix stock from Neutral to Overweight, citing the potential for growth and pricing adjustments.

Recent developments also include the Philippines imposing a 12% value-added tax on digital services provided by tech giants like Netflix. This move is expected to generate approximately 105 billion pesos ($1.9 billion) from 2025 to 2029, with 5% of these funds earmarked to support Philippine creative industries.

On the earnings front, analysts from firms such as KeyBanc Capital Markets, JPMorgan, and Evercore ISI project positive revenue growth for Netflix, with advertising expected to account for more than 10% of total revenue by 2027.

TD Cowen predicts that advertising will represent 13% of Netflix's total revenue by 2029. These projections are based on the company's robust content slate and potential for improved monetization.

InvestingPro Insights

Recent data from InvestingPro aligns with JPMorgan's bullish outlook on Netflix. The streaming giant's market cap stands at an impressive $301.24 billion, reflecting its dominant position in the entertainment industry. Netflix's revenue growth of 13% over the last twelve months and a robust 16.76% quarterly growth support JPMorgan's projection of mid-teens revenue growth in the coming years.

InvestingPro Tips highlight Netflix's strong financial performance, noting that the company is "profitable over the last twelve months" and "analysts predict the company will be profitable this year." These insights corroborate JPMorgan's expectations of continuous operating margin expansion and increased free cash flow.

The company's P/E ratio of 42.95 and PEG ratio of 0.61 suggest that while Netflix is trading at a premium valuation, it may still be undervalued relative to its growth prospects. This aligns with JPMorgan's view that Netflix's premium valuation is justified by its projected growth and market position.

For investors seeking a deeper understanding of Netflix's financial health and growth potential, InvestingPro offers 15 additional tips, providing a comprehensive analysis to inform investment decisions.

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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