Netflix Shares Continue to Fall. Is It Time to Buy the Dip?

Core Viewpoint - Netflix's share price has declined significantly, down over 37% from recent highs and 11% year-to-date, following cautious guidance in its fourth-quarter results [1] Group 1: Financial Performance - Netflix reported strong growth with 120 million viewers for the final chapter of "Stranger Things," ending the year with 325 million subscribers, an increase of nearly 8% year-over-year [2] - Overall revenue increased by almost 18% to $12.05 billion, surpassing analyst expectations by $1.97 billion, while earnings per share (EPS) rose 30% to $0.56, slightly above the $0.55 consensus [4] - Revenue growth was robust across regions, with U.S. and Canada revenue up 18% to $5.3 billion, EMEA revenue also up 18% to $3.9 billion, Asia-Pacific revenue climbing 17% to $1.4 billion, and Latin America revenue increasing 15% to $1.4 billion, with a 20% rise in constant currencies [3] Group 2: Future Outlook - For Q1, Netflix forecasts a 15% revenue increase with a 32.1% operating margin, and for the full year, it expects revenue between $50.7 billion and $51.7 billion, indicating 12% to 14% growth, alongside a projected operating margin of 31.5% [5] - The company is in the process of acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery's studio and streaming assets, which will enhance its content library with popular franchises like "Game of Thrones" and "Harry Potter," providing a significant boost to ad-friendly content [8] Group 3: Investment Considerations - Netflix's ad revenue has surged 2.5 times to $1.5 billion, with management projecting it will double this year, indicating a shift towards ad-driven revenue growth [2][7] - The stock is currently trading at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 26 times 2026 analyst estimates, presenting a more attractive valuation compared to previous months, suggesting potential for investment [9]