Netflix Inc.NFLXHOLDOct 12, 2017Stock price when the opinion was issued
As of Oct 01, 2026. Market Open.
He bought more, though it's a small position, because it traded down on a downgrade--but this was piling onto a stock that already had a tough time. He thinks for a trade, this will bounce. He though their last quarter was good, though the market didn't. With everybody so negative on Netflix, he thinks the bad news is already baked in.
He's buying more shares. Investors worry NFLX is losing share to YouTube and TokTok, while Paramount and Warners will likely merge. But NFLX still has the largest user base in the world and they make the most money per engagement. This allows them to add more content than their peers. They still grow revenues and profits. Still likes it.
(Note the short timeframe.) The market loved it for a while after the abandoned WBD deal. Then market started to focus on competition. But people aren't cancelling subscriptions; in fact, just the opposite. Trades at 20x 2027 PE for double-digit growth, terrific balance sheet. Boundless opportunities, sees so much upside.
North American growth is slowing with its product saturated, though internationally it is growing nicely but it's lower margin. Also, it's seeing the classic transition from growth to value investors.. NFLX was a high-growth company at a high multiple, but has slowed down. It's a hold, because NFLX is a legitimate franchise, and the 20x PE is fair, though it likely will decline as growth investors exit. Also, movies and shows are a capital-intense business.
Its earnings and competition are dragging it down. Many people are getting tired of binge-watching. They aren't growing the business as fast as before after massive growth. It's the law of diminishing returns. Warners is up for sale, but carries a lot of debt--whoever buys them must absorb that debt. He won't own any streamers.
Valuation has always been a concern. Trading at 90X Forward Price Earnings with a 40% growth rate, which still gives it well over a 2X PEG ratio. A little expensive for him. Subscribers are expected to reach 108 million by the end of Q3. The recent price hike will help its top line and support its content. Continues to burn cash at a really quick pace. In the first half of 2017, they burned over $1 billion from free cash flow. They are still looking for a breakthrough in China, and international markets haven’t really been extremely profitable. Also, there is lots of competition coming on board. If you own, continue to Hold, but it is difficult to buy at these levels.