Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX) have been distracted of late, and it's easy to understand why. Late last year, the company agreed to acquire studio and streaming assets from Warner Bros. Discovery in a deal valued at $72 billion. While the agreement was initially welcomed by shareholders, it kicked off a contentious takeover bid and proxy battle by Paramount Skydance, and the ensuing drama continues to this day. Even without the streaming and studio assets from Warner Bros., the streaming giant's biggest growth dri ...

Core Insights - Netflix's upcoming third-quarter earnings report on October 21 is anticipated to be a bullish catalyst for its stock, with expectations of strong revenue growth and positive management guidance [1][2]. Revenue Growth - Netflix is projected to report a revenue increase of 17.3% for the third quarter, reaching approximately $11.5 billion, building on a record $11.1 billion in total revenue during the second quarter of 2025, which was a 15.9% increase year-over-year [5][6]. - The company's advertising revenue has doubled in 2024, with similar growth expected in 2025, indicating a strong growth driver from its advertising tier [4]. Content Spending - Netflix plans to spend a record $18 billion on content creation and licensing in 2025, with a significant portion allocated to live programming, which is crucial for attracting and retaining subscribers [8]. - The company generated $10.2 billion in net income over the 12 months ending June 30, translating to earnings of $23.47 per share, allowing it to outspend competitors on content [7]. Subscriber Engagement - The advertising tier accounts for about half of all signups in regions where it is available, priced at $7.99 per month, making it a valuable segment for Netflix [3]. - Live sports programming, such as exclusive NFL games, has proven to significantly boost viewer engagement, with the average subscriber spending around two hours daily on the platform [9][10]. Investment Considerations - The stock is currently trading at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 51.4, which is higher than the Nasdaq-100 technology index's P/E ratio of 32.6, suggesting it may be expensive for short-term investors [13]. - However, analysts project earnings growth to $32.39 per share by 2026, indicating a forward P/E ratio of 37.2, which could make the stock more attractive for long-term investors [14][16].