Netflix (NFLX) shares are up 4% since its Q4 earnings report but are still underperforming the S&P 500 Index's 9% rally and average Internet peer gain of 8% despite the "strong" results, JPMorgan analyst Doug Anmuth tells investors in a research note.
The analyst believes Netflix shares have been weighed down by uncertainty around the U.S./Latin America price increase impact on churn net additions in the first half of 2019, as well as the overhang from competitor launches out of Disney (DIS) and Apple (AAPL).
However, the recent Netflix share price underperformance represents a good buying opportunity, Anmuth contends. He notes that he recently added the stock as one of his top picks along with Facebook (FB), Amazon.com (AMZN) and Twitter (TWTR). Anmuth believes the underlying secular shift toward on-demand entertainment "remains strong" and that competitive fears around Netflix are overdone. The company is on track to have 200M-plus global paid subscribers in 2021 and its U.S. revenue growth should accelerate from Q1 levels through 2019, contends the analyst. He reiterates an overweight rating on Netflix with a $435 price target, which represents a 19% upside from current levels.
The streaming service closed yesterday up $10.40, or 3%, to $366.96.
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