Behind the Charts: Netflix - Tesla - Google
Will Big Tech Fuel a Rally Continuation?
In the fast-paced world of stock markets, where daily price swings often dominate the narrative, a deeper understanding of a company's intrinsic worth can provide investors with a crucial edge. This approach, known as fundamental analysis, moves beyond short-term sentiment and technical patterns to examine the underlying financial health and future prospects of a business. By scrutinizing a company's revenues, earnings, assets, and competitive landscape, fundamental analysis equips investors with the tools to make more informed, long-term decisions, separating genuine value from fleeting hype.
Today’s publication starts a series fundamental editions for stocks tracked in the Weekly Compass.
Since the last fundamental publication was posted in December, and the community is bigger today, this edition brings educational content (in italic format) explaining why revenue, operating income, cash, capital expenditures, and other elements are important when analyzing a company. Let’s begin, and make sure to upgrade your subscription to paid, so you get access to TSLA, GOOG, and all the library of Fundamentals.
As a global leader in the streaming entertainment industry, Netflix, Inc. provides video on demand services, supported by subscriptions and advertising, to a base exceeding 300 million members across more than 190 nations. The service enables streaming of a comprehensive library, comprising both original productions and licensed titles, accessible via a wide array of internet-connected devices such as TVs, personal computers, and mobile hardware.
Demonstrating Fundamental Resilience and Growth Potential Amidst Macro Headwinds
In an economic climate marked by considerable volatility, Netflix, Inc. recently delivered first-quarter results that underscore the fundamental resilience of its business model. The company not only navigated the challenging environment effectively but also provided an encouraging outlook, reinforcing the view that its position within the media and entertainment landscape remains robust.
Quarterly Performance Highlights Underlying Strength
A closer look at the first-quarter financials reveals significant operational strength. Revenue growth came in strong at 13% year-over-year (or 16% on a foreign-exchange neutral basis), surpassing prior guidance of 11.2%. This top-line performance was fueled by gains in both core subscription revenues and the burgeoning advertising segment.
Beyond revenue, profitability metrics also displayed considerable upside. Operating Income reached $3.43 billion versus projections around $3.0 billion. Similarly, Earnings Per Share landed at $6.09 versus estimates near $5.0, while Free Cash Flow generation was solid at $2.7 billion, compared to projections closer to $2.3 billion. While the timing of certain expenses contributed partly to this outperformance, the overall results point to effective cost management and healthy core operations.
Netflix’s numbers are solid, the table above highlights the constant revenue growth that even in 2022 continued the uptrend, and as we have studied in previous fundamental studies the revenue is the main driver of growth.
Declines occurred during 2022 for other aspects like operating income, but after that year, it has doubled. Cash and assets are also in an uptrend.
If you've been an investor since before 2022, you likely remember the popular "FANG" stocks. Considering Netflix's performance and the current market leaders, shouldn't we be talking about the "Magnificent 8" now?
Sustainable Growth Levers Intact
These results lend credence to the argument that Netflix possesses sustainable growth drivers capable of performing predictably across diverse macroeconomic scenarios. Key factors supporting this view remain firmly in place. Retention trends are reported as stable, even following a period of significant net subscriber additions, suggesting subscriber loyalty remains high. Furthermore, recent subscription price increases appear to have been well-absorbed by the market, indicating a degree of pricing power.
The advertising business, though still a smaller component of overall revenue, presents a particularly compelling long-term opportunity. Fueled by high user engagement, exclusive content, and ongoing investments in enhancing its advertising technology (including targeting and measurement capabilities), this segment is positioned for healthy expansion in the coming years. Indeed, indications suggest advertising revenue is on track to potentially double in 2025.
Forward Outlook and Analyst Confidence
Looking ahead, Netflix management maintained its full-year 2025 guidance, targeting revenue growth between 12% and 14% alongside an operating margin of 29%. Notably, recent foreign exchange trends suggest revenue could potentially track towards the upper end of that range.
Reflecting confidence in the company's trajectory, the revenue potentially can slightly exceed the company's guidance range, with operating margins anticipated around 29.4%. This positive revision extends into Calendar Year 2026, with revenue expectations nudged up to approximately $48.5 billion and operating income projected near $15.5 billion.
Fundamentally, Netflix appears well-positioned. Its significant global subscriber scale, world-class brand recognition, and established history of innovation provide a strong foundation. With key growth drivers in subscriptions and advertising showing positive momentum, coupled with operational efficiency, the company demonstrates characteristics that are highly valued in today's unpredictable market environment. The ability to execute consistently and leverage its scale remains central to its standing within the competitive media sector.
Technically speaking, the monthly chart for NFLX is rock solid, the company just did fresh all time highs, something that no stock included in the “Magnificent 7” list has done. Previous red months have been preceded by shooting/evening star candles, that’s not the case for April, so continuation in May is possible for this one, even with an overbought RSI.
Netflix will be part of the Weekly Compass since this Saturday; and premium subscribers know from last Friday, that as long as the price stays above $1,060.5 this week, the stock is in bullish mode.
My bullish target for Netflix is at the end of this publication.
Founded in 2003 and listed on the stock market in 2010, Tesla is a leader in the electric vehicle industry, designing, manufacturing, and selling vehicles like the high-end Model S and X, the more affordable Model 3 and Y, and upcoming models such as the Cybertruck and Semi. Beyond vehicles, Tesla's income streams include selling environmental credits, as well as providing and selling solar power and energy storage systems.
Beat on Margin, EPS Below Expectations