Netflix "Has Won The Streaming Wars," Analyst Says. The Stock Is a Buy
With a near-record slice of U.S. television consumption and a slate of high-profile content in the pipeline, Netflix is a buy, Loop Capital says.The firm upgraded Netflix to Buy from Hold and lifted its price target on the stock to $1,350 from $1,150 in a research note Wednesday. The company "has won the streaming wars," Loop's Alan Gould wrote.Netflix shares rose 2.1% to $1,226.25 on Wednesday. The stock, a Barron's pick in May, has climbed 38% this year and 78% over the last 12 months.Even as the streaming environment grows more crowded, Netflix has seen strong user engagement, which Loop calculates as hours viewed of top 10 weekly shows and movies in both English and non-English. The firm estimates engagement has so far increased 17% in the third quarter from the year prior, driven by shows like "Squid Games" and "KPop Demon Hunters.". The strong quarter of content has helped Netflix trend toward a new record for its estimated share of U.S. television consumption, at more than 8.5%.