Sristi Suman Jayaswal

Wed, Jun 25, 2025, 6:15 AM5 min read

Once a luxury, streaming video became even more of a staple during the pandemic and has remained so ever since. With viewers demanding more content for less cash, platforms offering a compelling price-to-entertainment ratio have thrived. Add in the growing acceptance of ad-supported tiers, and the economics get even more attractive for both companies and subscribers.

Netflix (NFLX), the original streaming juggernaut, has continued to evolve. Its global reach, relentless content engine, and strategic pivot toward ad-supported offerings have once again caught the market’s eye. Wall Street is doubling down, with Pivotal Research analyst Jeffrey Wlodarczak recently reiterating a "Buy" rating and lifting his price target to a Street-high $1,600. Wlodarczak views Netflix as “underpenetrated globally,” with strong growth ahead driven by pricing power and rising ad revenue.

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Netflix has already put on a show this year, jumping 43% year-to-date (YTD). Still, around 25% upside remains if NFLX stock can hit Pivotal's mark. Does the streamer still have some gas left to hit those highs before the year wraps?

Founded in 1997, Netflix evolved from DVD rentals to an international streaming behemoth with a $533 billion market capitalization. Transforming entertainment through artificial intelligence (AI) driven personalization, it leads the on-demand content race, captivating millions worldwide and keeping users consistently engaged and loyal.

Strategic plays — like the 2022 ad-supported tier and 2023’s password-sharing crackdown — paired with live events have strengthened Netflix's moat. In the streaming wars, Netflix still holds the crown.

NFLX stock has charted an impressive path of its own since going public. After soaring during the pandemic-fueled streaming boom, the past five years brought plenty of twists, yet shares are still up 168%. More recently, the mega-cap streamer’s shares have rallied more than 200% in just two years, with a 91% jump in the past 52 weeks alone, blowing past broader market gains.

Netflix even reached an all-time high of $1,282.57 on June 24. Strong subscription growth, resilient revenue, and perceived immunity to global shocks keep Wall Street leaning bullish.