Netflix Lifted Guidance. Is the Stock a Buy Following Its Drop?

Core Insights - Netflix reported strong revenue and earnings growth for Q2, with overall revenue rising 16% to $11.08 billion and earnings per share (EPS) soaring 47% to $7.19, surpassing analyst expectations [6][10] - Despite solid results and an increased outlook, the stock fell by approximately 1.6% post-report, indicating high pre-earnings expectations [10][11] - The company raised its full-year revenue guidance to a range of $44.8 billion to $45.2 billion, up from a previous outlook of $43.5 billion to $44.5 billion [8] Revenue Growth and Strategy - Netflix's growth is driven by a diverse array of quality content, with a focus on local content strategies that resonate with international audiences [3][4] - International revenue growth outpaced U.S. and Canadian growth, with Asia-Pacific revenue climbing 24% to $1.3 billion and EMEA revenue jumping 18% to $3.5 billion [5] - U.S. and Canada revenue grew 15% to $4.9 billion, while Latin American revenue rose 9% to $1.3 billion, with a 23% increase in local currencies [5] Future Outlook - For Q3, Netflix guided for a revenue increase of 17% with a 31% operating margin, although the second-half operating margin is expected to be lower due to higher content amortization and marketing costs [7] - The company is prioritizing growth in its advertising business, with expectations for ad revenue to double this year [6][11] - The operating margin outlook for the full year was increased from 29% to 30%, with currency rates contributing to about half of this increase [8] Valuation Considerations - Despite the strong performance, the stock trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 47 times analyst estimates for 2025, suggesting a cautious approach to buying at current levels [12]