Wall Street predicts Netflix stock price for the next 12 months

Core Viewpoint - Netflix's stock has experienced short-term volatility due to the announcement of a significant acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, but analysts remain optimistic about a potential recovery over the next year [1][6]. Group 1: Stock Performance - As of the close of the last trading session, Netflix shares were valued at $100, reflecting a nearly 3% decline for the day, while year-to-date, the shares have increased by over 12% [1][3]. - The stock's downturn is attributed to a combination of a rare earnings miss and the announcement of a $72 billion acquisition deal, which totals $82.7 billion when including debt [3][5]. Group 2: Acquisition Details - The Warner Bros. acquisition is one of the largest in the entertainment sector, granting Netflix control over HBO, DC Studios, and Warner's extensive film and TV catalog [4]. - The completion of the acquisition is contingent upon Warner Bros. Discovery spinning off its linear TV networks, expected by Q3 2026, followed by necessary regulatory approvals, which introduces uncertainty into the timeline [4]. Group 3: Earnings Impact - In Q3 2025, Netflix reported revenue of $11.51 billion, but earnings per share (EPS) fell to $5.87, missing forecasts due to a one-time tax charge of $619 million related to a Brazilian dispute, ending a streak of consecutive earnings beats [5]. Group 4: Analyst Outlook - Wall Street analysts have a 'Moderate Buy' consensus on Netflix, with 28 out of 37 analysts recommending a buy, and an average 12-month price target of $137.65, indicating a potential upside of 37.3% [6]. - Price targets range from a low of $92 to a high of $160, reflecting a mix of caution and optimism in the market [6]. Group 5: Strategic Value of Acquisition - Oppenheimer analyst Jason Helfstein reiterated an 'Outperform' rating on Netflix with a price target of $145, emphasizing the strategic value of the $83 billion acquisition, which is expected to be EPS-accretive by FY28 [8]. - The acquisition is seen as a way to enhance Netflix's content library and production capabilities, with synergies in content integration and talent attraction [9].