Investors are closely monitoring Netflix’s stock following the company’s impressive third-quarter earnings report. With revenue and subscriber growth exceeding estimates, the streaming giant is experiencing a surge in its stock price. Netflix (NFLX) saw its stock rise by over 8% on Friday as it reported strong financial results for the third quarter of the year.
The company reported a 15% increase in revenue compared to the same period last year, surpassing the consensus estimate of $9.78 billion to reach $9.83 billion in revenue. This growth can be attributed in part to price increases on certain subscription plans from the previous year. Additionally, Netflix implemented revenue initiatives such as its restrictions on password sharing and introduction of an ad-supported tier to help drive growth.
Looking ahead to the fourth quarter, Netflix anticipates revenue to reach $10.13 billion, surpassing the consensus estimate of $10.01 billion. The company also provided guidance for its full-year revenue in 2025, forecasting it to be between $43 billion and $44 billion, an 11% to 13% increase from the anticipated 2024 revenue guidance of $38.9 billion.
Operating margins are also on the rise for Netflix, with the company expecting full-year operating margins to reach 27%, up from the previous year’s 26%. The company’s diluted earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter came in at $5.40, exceeding the consensus estimate of $5.16. This marked a significant increase from the $3.73 EPS reported in the previous year. Looking ahead to the fourth quarter, Netflix projects earnings per share of $4.23, surpassing the consensus estimate of $3.90.
Subscriptions grew by 5 million in the third quarter, following a strong performance in the second quarter with 8.05 million net additions. The company added 5.07 million subscribers in the third quarter, surpassing expectations of 4.5 million. In total, Netflix acquired 8.8 million paying subscribers in the third quarter of 2023.
Netflix anticipates further growth in paid net additions in the fourth quarter, driven by a robust content slate and typical seasonality. Upcoming releases such as “Squid Game” Season 2, the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight, and two NFL games on Christmas Day are expected to attract new subscribers.
Investors have praised Netflix’s expansion into live events and sports, as well as the continued growth of its ad-supported tier, which accounted for over 50% of sign-ups in countries where it was available during the third quarter.
In a statement accompanying the earnings release, Netflix highlighted its commitment to growing its advertising business and enhancing offerings for advertisers. The company reported a 35% quarter-on-quarter increase in ads membership and announced plans to launch its ad tech platform in Canada in the fourth quarter, with broader expansion scheduled for 2025.
Overall, Netflix’s strong performance in the third quarter has positioned the company for continued growth and success in the future. With revenue and subscriber numbers exceeding expectations, investors are optimistic about the company’s prospects and potential for price increases in the coming quarters.