:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-2263006244-978acf8b1da04e35844678d9fee85bc2.jpg "JPMorgan Upgrades Netflix Stock. Why Analysts Say the Streamer Is ‘Better Insulated From AI Risk’")
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/GettyImages-2263006244-978acf8b1da04e35844678d9fee85bc2.jpg)
Key Takeaways
- JPMorgan analysts upgraded Netflix stock to “overweight” with a $120 price target Monday, after a period of suspension while the company attempted to buy Warner Bros. Discovery.
- The analysts said they believe AI’s rise could benefit more than hurt Netflix, among other strengths.
Netflix just won another bullish call on Wall Street.
JPMorgan analysts upgraded Netflix (NFLX) stock to “overweight” with a $120 price target Monday, after suspending their rating while the streamer attempted to buy Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD).
Shares of the streaming giant climbed nearly 1% to around $97 Monday, adding to their recent gains after the streamer decided to walk away from the Warner Bros. Discovery deal.
The analysts, whose target is slightly above the $115 consensus compiled by Visible Alpha, listed Netflix’s streaming leadership and international subscriber growth as some of the reasons they see gains ahead. JPMorgan also suggested they see the rise of AI benefiting more than hurting the streamer, at a time when worries about the technology’s impact continue to weigh on many tech stocks.
Why This Is Significant
Many previously high-flying tech stocks, particularly shares of software providers, have taken a hit lately amid worries about AI-driven disruption. The perception that Netflix’s business would be less susceptible to pressure from AI could help boost sentiment around the stock.
JPMorgan said it sees Netflix as “better insulated from AI risk” than many of the other companies in the firm’s coverage. “We believe storytelling and talent will remain critical moats, ultimately better insulating NFLX from AI disruption risk compared to transactional business models,” they wrote.
In fact, growing AI adoption could stand to benefit Netflix by driving “improved content discovery & personalization, better advertising solutions & measurement, & ultimately reduce content production costs,” they said.
Shares of Netflix have added about 4% since the year began, but are down 1% over the last 12 months.
