Analyst Analysis:
On Thursday July 20th, 2023, Morningstar (Rank #99 of #342) has conducted and released a comprehensive analysis of Netflix’s financial performance, valuation, and growth prospects. This article will delve into Morningstar’s assessment of Netflix’s recent financials, fair value estimates, and future projections to provide investors with valuable insights into the company’s position in the market.
Financial Performance and Historical Summary
Morningstar’s analysis includes an overview of Netflix’s financial performance from 2013 to 2022. Over the past decade, Netflix has demonstrated impressive revenue growth, with revenues increasing from $4.37 billion in 2013 to $31.62 billion in 2022. The company’s revenue growth rate has fluctuated over the years, but it has maintained a solid upward trend. EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization) and net income have also experienced substantial growth, reflecting Netflix’s strong market presence and operational efficiency.
Profitability and Valuation
Morningstar analyzes key profitability metrics to evaluate the company’s performance. Netflix’s Return on Equity (ROE), Return on Assets (ROA), and Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) have shown consistent improvement, indicating effective utilization of assets and capital. The company’s EBITDA margin has remained steady, showcasing its ability to generate strong operating profits.
Regarding valuation, Morningstar uses various valuation ratios such as Price/Sales, Price/Earnings, Price/Cash Flow, Price/Book, and EV/EBITDA to assess Netflix’s relative value compared to its industry peers and historical trends. The analysis suggests that, as of June 2023, Netflix appears overvalued based on certain metrics, like the Price/Fair Value ratio. However, it is essential to consider the company’s growth potential and industry dynamics while interpreting these ratios.
Fair Value Estimate and Future Projections
Morningstar provides a fair value estimate for Netflix, which reflects the intrinsic value of the company’s stock based on its financial performance and growth prospects. As of July 20th 2023, the fair value estimate for Netflix stands at $333.00 per share, with a “Underperform” rating. This estimate serves as a reference point for investors to determine whether the current market price is overvalued or undervalued.
Morningstar offers forward-looking financial estimates for Netflix for the years 2023 to 2025. These projections include revenue growth, EBITDA, operating income, net income, and diluted earnings per share. The forecasted revenue growth of 5.5% to 11.4% over the next few years suggests that Netflix’s expansion may continue, although at a slower pace compared to previous years.
Investment Risks
Morningstar also assesses investment risks and assigns a Moat Rating, which evaluates the company’s competitive advantage or economic moat. Netflix has been classified as having a “Narrow” moat, indicating that the company possesses a competitive edge, but it is relatively more susceptible to competition compared to businesses with “Wide” moats.
Outlook
Morningstar’s analysis of Netflix provides valuable insights for investors looking to understand the company’s financial performance, valuation, and future prospects. The streaming giant’s impressive revenue growth, profitability, and forward-looking projections suggest that it remains a significant player in the entertainment industry. However, investors must exercise due diligence and consider the risks and industry dynamics before making any investment decisions. As with any investment, careful analysis and understanding of the company’s fundamentals are critical to making well-informed decisions.

STA Research (StockTargetAdvisor.com) is a independent Investment Research company that specializes in stock forecasting and analysis with integrated AI, based on our platform stocktargetadvisor.com, EST 2007.