zhingle
12-12 23:08

⚠️ Netflix May Lose Another $90? Short NFLX & Long WBD?

Netflix has dropped nearly 15% in just two weeks, wiping out billions in market cap — while institutions are quietly turning bullish on Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) and raising price targets. 📉📈

So what’s actually happening beneath the surface?

And is there a real arbitrage opportunity between these two streaming giants?

Let’s break it down. 👇

🎬 1. Netflix: Great Business, Tough Setup — Why the Selloff Accelerated

Netflix’s fundamentals remain solid — but the stock entered overpriced territory, trading at a premium multiple even as subscriber momentum slowed. The recent drop is driven by:

• 📉 Slowing subscriber net adds

• 💸 Growing content costs (AI-driven VFX, rising talent expenses)

• 📺 Re-acceleration of competition from Disney, Amazon, WBD

• 📊 A valuation that left little room for error

Some analysts now argue NFLX may need to re-rate lower to align with sector multiples — which implies another $60–$90 downside if sentiment weakens further.

🎥 2. WBD: Deep Value or Value Trap? Smart Money Is Taking the Bullish Side

WBD is the exact opposite: beaten down, heavily discounted, but with catalysts surfacing.

Institutions upgrading WBD highlight:

• 📼 Max (HBO) still among the strongest premium-content libraries

• 🧱 Ongoing debt reduction improving financial health

• 🚀 Upcoming content slate (DC revamp, HBO originals)

• 🤝 Potential partnership or consolidation angles

• 📺 Improving ARPU on streaming

WBD trades at a fraction of Netflix’s valuation, and some funds see it as a classic re-rating play if execution stabilizes.

🔄 3. NFLX vs WBD — Diverging Fundamentals Meets Diverging Valuations

Netflix:

✔️ Still the global leader

✔️ Better margins

❌ But priced for perfection

❌ Slowing top-line growth

❌ Street expectations may be too high

WBD:

✔️ Dirt-cheap valuation

✔️ Leverage falling

✔️ Institutional upgrades coming in

❌ Still dealing with restructuring

❌ Must prove consistent profitability

The divergence creates the perfect setup for traders to consider:

→ Short NFLX (overpriced)

→ Long WBD (undervalued)

→ A potential pair trade that reduces market risk

⚖️ 4. The Arbitrage Angle: Is There a Real Edge?

A long–short pair trade works only if:

• Valuations converge

• Momentum shifts

• Sector-wide risk doesn’t drag both down

Right now, the catalysts favor WBD improving while Netflix cools.

If this continues, traders could ride the convergence — NFLX potentially drifting lower while WBD climbs on upgrades + sentiment shift.

This is why some hedge funds are exploring “streaming divergence trades” in Q1 2025. 📈📉

🔥 So… What’s the Best Move?

If you believe:

📉 NFLX was priced too high,

📈 WBD is too cheap,

🔁 The streaming landscape is shifting again…

Then the pair trade idea becomes interesting — short NFLX, long WBD, or at least monitoring the spread.

Netflix May Lose $90? Short NFLX & Long WBD?
Netflix lost near 15% in two weeks. While institutions upgrades Warner's price target. As the deal continues to develop, should we be bullish on WBD, bearish on NFLX, or look for an arbitrage opportunity?
Disclaimer: Investing carries risk. This is not financial advice. The above content should not be regarded as an offer, recommendation, or solicitation on acquiring or disposing of any financial products, any associated discussions, comments, or posts by author or other users should not be considered as such either. It is solely for general information purpose only, which does not consider your own investment objectives, financial situations or needs. TTM assumes no responsibility or warranty for the accuracy and completeness of the information, investors should do their own research and may seek professional advice before investing.

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