Netflix Stock Is Down 15%. Should You Buy the Dip?

Core Viewpoint - Netflix's stock has declined significantly, down 12% year-to-date and 19% over the past year, raising concerns about its planned $82.7 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. [1][2] Financial Performance - Netflix's current stock price is $82.18, with a market capitalization of $347 billion. The stock has a 52-week range of $79.22 to $134.12 and a gross margin of 48.59% [2]. - Despite revenue and earnings growth, there are fears that the acquisition could burden Netflix's balance sheet, as it has reportedly secured a $59 billion loan for the purchase [2]. Acquisition Concerns - Historically, 70%-75% of acquisitions fail to enhance sales growth or maintain stock prices, with reasons including overpayment and integration challenges [5]. - The Warner Bros. acquisition's hefty price tag raises concerns about Netflix potentially overpaying, which could hinder the deal's value creation [5]. Potential Benefits of the Acquisition - The business models of Netflix and Warner Bros. are synergistic, focusing on creating and monetizing content, which may simplify integration [7]. - The acquisition includes valuable intellectual property, such as popular franchises like Harry Potter and Game of Thrones, which could enhance Netflix's content library and user retention [8][9]. Market Sentiment and Valuation - The recent sell-off in Netflix stock may be exaggerated, but it still trades at a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple of about 26, indicating a slight premium over the market average [10]. - There are uncertainties regarding the acquisition's approval, with investigations into potential anticompetitive practices by the Department of Justice [11].