NETFLIX INC (NFLX) Stock Analysis

NETFLIX INC (NFLX) Stock Analysis

Analysis from 10-Q filed 2025-10-22. Data as of Q4 2025.

Overall Grade: F (Concerning)

NETFLIX INC faces challenges in financial performance that warrant careful analysis.

Metric Value Context
ROIC 28.8% Above industry average
FCF Margin 20.9% Strong cash generation
Debt/Equity 0.5x Moderate leverage

Investment Thesis: Strong return on invested capital of 28.8% suggests durable competitive advantages and efficient capital allocation.

Explore NETFLIX INC: Earnings History | Filing Intelligence | ROIC Analysis


Profitability: NETFLIX INC earns 28.8% ROIC, Top 5% in Consumer Discretionary

NETFLIX INC's trailing-twelve-month ROIC of 28.8% ranks Top 5% in Consumer Discretionary companies (sector median: 8.8%), driven by NOPAT margin of 25.5% combined with asset turnover of 0.8x. Source: 10-Q filed 2025-10-22. Gross margin of 48.5% with operating margin at 29.5% reflects strong pricing power.

Metric NFLX Rating Context
Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) 28.8% Excellent Above sector median of 8.8%
Return on Equity (ROE) 43.7% Excellent Efficient use of shareholder equity
Gross Margin 48.5% Good Strong pricing power
Operating Margin 29.5% Excellent Efficient operations

Cash Flow: NETFLIX INC generates $9.5B FCF at 20.9% margin, positive NaN/8 quarters

NETFLIX INC generated $9.5B in free cash flow (TTM), a 20.9% FCF margin, a margin that ranks Top 5% in Consumer Discretionary. FCF was positive in N/A of the last 8 quarters. Source: 10-Q filed 2025-10-22.

Metric NFLX Rating Context
Free Cash Flow Margin 20.9% Excellent Excellent cash conversion
Free Cash Flow (TTM) $9.5B Good Positive cash generation
OCF/Net Income 0.9x Good Potential accrual concerns
FCF Consistency (8Q) N/A Warning Variable cash flow

Balance Sheet: NETFLIX INC at 0.5x leverage

NETFLIX INC's debt-to-equity ratio of 0.5x reflects moderate leverage. Total debt of $14.5B offset by $28.7M in cash. Source: 10-Q filed 2025-10-22.

Metric NFLX Rating Context
Debt to Equity 0.5x Good Moderate leverage
Net Cash Position $-14.4B Warning Net debt position

Valuation: NETFLIX INC trades at 36.5x earnings

NETFLIX INC trades at a P/E of 36.5x. Free cash flow yield of 2.4% reflects market expectations for growth.

Metric NFLX Rating Context
P/E Ratio 36.5x Adequate Premium valuation
EV/Sales 9.1x Adequate Growth premium priced in
FCF Yield 2.4% Adequate Lower cash yield

Capital Allocation: NETFLIX INC returns 2.3% shareholder yield

NETFLIX INC's total shareholder yield is 2.3% (dividends + buybacks 2.3%). Source: 10-Q filed 2025-10-22.

Metric NFLX Rating Context
Total Shareholder Yield 2.3% Adequate Dividend + buyback yield combined
Buyback Yield 2.3% Adequate Active share repurchases
Total Capital Returned (TTM) $9.1B Good Dividends + buybacks returned to shareholders

Sector Rankings

Metric Value Percentile vs Median
Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) 28.8% Top 5% 3.3x above
Free Cash Flow Margin 20.9% Top 5% 7.7x above
Gross Margin 48.5% Top 50% 1.2x above
Operating Margin 29.5% Top 5% 6.3x above
Return on Equity (ROE) 43.7% Top 25% 4.1x above
P/E Ratio 36.5x N/A -

Financial Scorecard

Metric NFLX Rating Sector Context
Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) 28.8% Excellent Top 5% of sector (median: 8.8%)
Free Cash Flow Margin 20.9% Excellent Top 5% of sector (median: 2.7%)
Gross Margin 48.5% Good Top 50% of sector (median: 39.5%)
Debt to Equity Ratio 54.3% Good Moderate leverage
P/E Ratio (Price-to-Earnings) 36.5x Adequate High expectations priced in
Free Cash Flow Yield 2.4% Warning Growth-focused valuation

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is NETFLIX INC's Return on Invested Capital (ROIC)?

NETFLIX INC (NFLX) has a trailing twelve-month Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) of 28.8%. This compares above the sector median of 8.8%. An ROIC above 20% indicates exceptional capital efficiency and strong competitive advantages.

Q: What is NETFLIX INC's Free Cash Flow Margin?

NETFLIX INC (NFLX) has a free cash flow margin of 20.9%, generating $9.5 billion in free cash flow over the trailing twelve months. A FCF margin above 20% indicates excellent cash conversion and a high-quality business model.

Q: Is NETFLIX INC stock overvalued or undervalued?

NETFLIX INC (NFLX) trades at a P/E ratio of 36.5x, which is above the sector median of N/A. The EV/Sales multiple is 9.1x. Free cash flow yield is 2.4%, reflecting growth expectations priced into the stock.

Q: How much debt does NETFLIX INC have?

NETFLIX INC (NFLX) has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.5x with total debt of $14.5 billion. Net debt position is $14.4 billion.

Q: What is NETFLIX INC's revenue and earnings growth?

NETFLIX INC (NFLX) grew revenue by 15.9% year-over-year. Earnings per share increased by 27.8% compared to the prior year. Solid growth above 10% suggests healthy business momentum.

Q: Is NETFLIX INC buying back stock?

NETFLIX INC (NFLX) repurchased $9.1 billion of stock over the trailing twelve months. This represents a buyback yield of 2.3%.

Q: How does NETFLIX INC compare to competitors in Consumer Discretionary?

Compared to other companies in Consumer Discretionary, NETFLIX INC (NFLX) shows: ROIC of 28.8% is above the sector median of 8.8% (Top 4%). FCF margin of 20.9% exceeds the sector median of 2.7% (Top 0% of sector). Gross margin at 48.5% is 9 percentage points higher than sector peers. These rankings are based on MetricDuck's analysis of all Consumer Discretionary companies with available SEC filings.

Q: What warning signs should I watch for with NETFLIX INC?

NETFLIX INC (NFLX) shows no major financial warning signs based on current metrics. However, investors should always monitor: 1) Margin compression trends, 2) Cash flow consistency, 3) Debt levels relative to cash generation, and 4) Changes in competitive positioning.


Data Source: Data sourced from 10-Q filed 2025-10-22. TTM metrics as of Q4 2025.

Methodology: Financial metrics calculated from SEC 10-K and 10-Q filings using standardized formulas. Sector comparisons use peer group based on SIC code.

Scope: This analysis covers SEC filing fundamentals — profitability, cash flow, balance sheet, and valuation metrics. For analyst estimates and price targets, consult sell-side research.

This analysis is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.