Netflix (NFLX) Earnings on Thursday: Stock Set for Potential Move

TLDR

• Netflix is scheduled to report its Q1 2026 earnings after the market closes on Thursday, April 16.
• Analysts anticipate earnings per share of $0.79, a 15% year-over-year rise, and revenue of $12.18 billion, up 15.5%.
• The options market implies a potential 6.54% stock swing in either direction after the earnings announcement.
• Shares of Netflix have climbed approximately 10% so far this year, supported by subscription price increases and a $2.8 billion termination fee from Warner Bros. Discovery.
• Among the 40 analysts covering NFLX, 30 recommend Buy, and the average price target is $115.09.

(SeaPRwire) –   As Netflix approaches its Q1 2026 earnings release on Thursday, April 16, its stock has already gained about 10% year-to-date, trading near $102. The results will be announced after the closing bell.

Netflix, Inc., NFLX

Wall Street forecasts earnings per share of $0.79, representing a 15% increase from the year-ago quarter. Revenue is projected to reach $12.18 billion, a 15.5% year-over-year gain.

In the previous quarter, the company reported revenue of $12.05 billion, up 17.6% year-on-year. However, its earnings guidance for the subsequent quarter fell short of expectations, which dampened some investor optimism.

For the current quarter, analyst estimates have remained largely unchanged over the last month. This consistency typically indicates that significant surprises are not anticipated.

Netflix is the first major consumer internet firm to report earnings this season, positioning it to influence sentiment across the sector.

Investor mood in the consumer internet category has been favorable recently. Stocks within this group have advanced an average of 6.3% over the past month, with NFLX outperforming by rising 11.8%.

Analyst Views

Evercore’s Mark Mahaney maintained his Buy rating and $115 price target. He anticipates results will meet expectations, supported by a strong content lineup and the positive impact of recent price increases.

Mahaney also suggested Netflix might sustain or modestly elevate its full-year forecast, citing consistent subscriber additions and pricing power as primary factors.

Wedbush analyst Alicia Reese also reiterated a Buy rating, raising her price target to $118 from $115. She highlighted global advertising expansion and higher subscription prices as potential profit drivers for the remainder of 2026.

Deutsche Bank’s Bryan Kraft maintained a Hold rating, increasing his price target to $100 from $98. He noted that Netflix avoided risk by exiting the Warner Bros. Discovery agreement and securing a $2.8 billion breakup fee.

Kraft cautioned that long-term growth may decelerate and that the stock’s current price may already reflect much of the positive near-term outlook.

Options Market Positioning

Based on the at-the-money straddle for options expiring soonest after the announcement, traders are currently factoring in a 6.54% move in either direction post-earnings.

This implied range suggests a potential rise to around $109 or a fall to approximately $95 from current prices, contingent on the actual results.

Out of 40 analysts covering the stock, 30 assign a Buy rating and 10 a Hold. The average price target is $115.09, suggesting about 12% upside from the current trading level.

On Tuesday ahead of the report, Netflix shares closed up 3.02%.