Netflix Stock Soars on Strong Q4 Results, Subscriber Growth Exceeds Expectations

Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) saw its stock surge over 13% in after-hours trading on Tuesday, driven by record-breaking subscriber growth and better-than-expected earnings for Q4 2024. The company's robust performance reflects strong demand for its content slate and a growing ads-supported tier.

Key Takeaways from Netflix's Q4 2024 Results

1. Impressive Financial Performance

• Earnings Per Share (EPS): $4.27, meeting analyst expectations.
• Revenue: $10.25 billion, surpassing the forecast of $10.13 billion.

2. Record Subscriber Growth

• Netflix added 18.9 million new subscribers, more than double the estimated 9.2 million.
• Subscriber growth was fueled by:
  • The ads tier membership, which contributed to over 55% of sign-ups in countries offering this plan.
  • 30% growth in ads plan memberships quarter over quarter.

Content Highlights Driving Growth

Netflix attributed its Q4 success to a stellar content lineup, including:

• “Squid Game” Season 2: Set to break records as one of Netflix's most-watched original series.
• “Carry-On” Movie: Entered Netflix's all-time Top 10 films list.
• Sports Events:
  • Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight became the most-streamed sporting event ever.
  • Delivered the two most-streamed NFL games in history on Christmas Day.

This diverse content strategy, catering to entertainment and sports audiences, has reinforced Netflix's global appeal.

Advertising Tier Fuels Revenue Growth

The ads-supported tier emerged as a significant revenue driver:

• It accounted for 55% of sign-ups in ad-plan countries.
• Netflix plans to enhance its advertising offering by launching its first-party ad platform in the U.S. by April 2025.

The company sees advertising as a key growth area and is investing heavily to maximize its potential.

2025 Outlook

Netflix provided an optimistic forecast for the upcoming year:

• Revenue projection: $43.5 billion to $44.5 billion, up $0.5 billion from prior estimates.
• Analysts predict revenue of $43.6 billion, aligning with the higher end of Netflix's forecast.

With a strategic focus on content innovation and advertising expansion, Netflix is well-positioned to maintain its growth trajectory in 2025.

Investing Insights with FMP

For detailed analysis of Netflix's financial performance and valuation, explore these APIs from Financial Modeling Prep:

1. Earnings Historical API: Access Netflix's quarterly earnings data for a deeper analysis of trends.
2. Full Financials API: Dive into comprehensive financial statements for Netflix.
3. Owner Earnings API: Analyze cash flow metrics that matter for long-term investors.

Conclusion

Netflix's Q4 2024 results highlight the company's ability to adapt and innovate, with record subscriber growth and a successful ads tier leading the charge. As Netflix continues to expand its content portfolio and advertising capabilities, it remains a strong player in the streaming industry.

Investors should monitor Netflix's progress with its 2025 plans, particularly in advertising, to capitalize on future growth opportunities.