Jefferies Urges Selectivity in Internet Stocks for 2026 as AI Disruption and Rising Costs pressure Margins

Group 1 - Netflix is considered one of the best growth stocks to buy in 2026, despite Jefferies analyst James Heaney lowering the price target from $150 to $134 while maintaining a Buy rating [1] - Jefferies recommends a selective approach to Internet stocks for 2026, citing rising investment costs and concerns about AI disrupting traditional business models as key headwinds [1][3] - The company plans to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery's TV, film studios, and streaming assets for $72 billion, structured as a combination of cash and stock, with an enterprise value of approximately $82.7 billion [2][3] Group 2 - The acquisition is expected to add nearly $11 billion in debt to Netflix's balance sheet, which will be monitored closely as the company aims for a closing timeline of 12 to 18 months [3] - Following the acquisition, Netflix will shift its strategy to begin releasing Warner Bros. movies in theaters, moving away from its traditional streaming-only model, necessitating the development of new internal functions for theatrical marketing and global distribution [3]