Netflix Inc.’s stock reached a new all-time high in late February 2026, closing at $1,048.72 on February 24 after gaining 1.82%, as the streaming giant posted blockbuster fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results that showcased accelerating paid subscriber additions, explosive growth in its advertising-supported tier, and sustained profitability improvements.

As of February 24, 2026, Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX) traded in a session range of $1,030.15 to $1,055.40 with volume of approximately 4.2 million shares. The shares have surged more than 65% year-to-date in 2026 following a strong 2025 close, pushing market capitalization above $450 billion for the first time. The 52-week range spans $610.20 to $1,055.40, reflecting investor confidence in Netflix’s transition to a mature, high-margin business.

The rally followed Netflix’s fourth-quarter earnings report released January 21, 2026, which delivered multiple records. The company added 18.9 million paid net subscribers in Q4—the largest quarterly gain in its history—bringing total paid memberships to 301.6 million, up 16% year-over-year. Full-year 2025 net additions reached a record 51.4 million, surpassing prior guidance and marking the strongest growth since the streaming wars began.

Revenue climbed 15.7% year-over-year to $10.25 billion in Q4, beating analyst expectations of $10.13 billion. Full-year revenue hit $39.00 billion, up 15%. Operating margin expanded to 29% in Q4 from 22% the prior year, with operating income reaching $2.97 billion. Net income rose to $2.48 billion, or $5.73 per diluted share, compared with $1.48 billion and $3.33 per share in Q4 2024.

The advertising tier drove outsized gains, with ad-supported memberships growing more than 65% sequentially in Q4 and representing a significant portion of new sign-ups in launch markets. Netflix reported that ad revenue more than doubled year-over-year in Q4, with average revenue per user in the ad tier approaching levels seen in the standard plan in some regions. Management guided for continued rapid ad-tier expansion in 2026, with plans to roll out the tier in additional countries and enhance targeting through improved data and partnerships.

CEO Ted Sarandos and co-CEO Greg Peters emphasized the success of password-sharing restrictions, now implemented in nearly every market, which contributed to both subscriber adds and revenue growth. The company also highlighted strong content performance, with hits like “Squid Game” Season 2, “Stranger Things” final season, and live events—including NFL games and WWE Raw—driving engagement. Live programming, including the upcoming Jake Paul-Mike Tyson boxing match rescheduled to early 2026, is expected to further boost viewership.

Netflix provided optimistic 2026 guidance, projecting revenue growth of 14-15% and operating margin expansion to 29-30%. The company anticipates another year of significant paid net subscriber additions, though at a moderated pace compared with 2025’s record. Free cash flow is forecast to exceed $8 billion in 2026, up from $6.9 billion in 2025, supporting continued content investment and potential share repurchases or dividends.

Wall Street responded enthusiastically. Consensus among 35-40 analysts rates NFLX a Moderate Buy to Buy, with average 12-month price targets around $1,100 to $1,150—implying 5-10% upside from current levels. High targets reach $1,300 from firms like Wedbush and Morgan Stanley, citing the advertising business’s long runway and global market penetration potential. Some analysts noted Netflix’s valuation at roughly 35 times forward earnings appears reasonable given margin expansion and cash flow strength.

Challenges include intensifying competition from Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and emerging players, as well as content cost pressures and potential saturation in mature markets. International growth remains a focus, with Latin America, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, Middle East and Africa showing robust additions. Password-sharing crackdowns continue to yield benefits but face occasional pushback.

The next major update arrives with first-quarter 2026 earnings, expected in late April. Investors will watch subscriber trends, ad-tier penetration, content slate performance, and any refinements to full-year guidance.

Netflix has evolved from a DVD-by-mail pioneer into the dominant global streaming service, with a differentiated strategy blending originals, licensed content, live events, gaming, and advertising. Record subscriber gains, margin expansion, and a maturing ad business position it for continued outperformance in 2026, even as the streaming landscape grows more competitive. With shares at fresh highs, Netflix remains a bellwether for digital media and a core holding for growth-oriented investors.

The Bank of Thailand’s Monetary Policy Committee unexpectedly lowered its key interest rate by 25 basis points to 1.00% during its first review of 2026.

The decision comes as a surprise to analysts who had widely anticipated no change in the rate. The move aims to support economic growth amid global uncertainties and sluggish domestic demand.

Key Points

• The Monetary Policy Committee voted 4 to 2 to reduce the one-day repurchase rate to 1.00%.
• The move caught the market by surprise, as only six of 27 economists surveyed by Reuters had predicted a rate cut.
• This reduction marks the sixth rate cut since October 2024, bringing the total reduction over that period to 150 basis points.
• The central bank cited the need to mitigate risks from a strong baht and global trade uncertainties, particularly regarding US trade policy.
• Despite the rate cut, the Bank of Thailand raised its 2026 GDP growth projection to 1.9%, up from a previous estimate of 1.5%, following a stronger-than-expected economic performance in the fourth quarter of the prior year.

The Bank of Thailand’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) unexpectedly voted 4 to 2 to cut the one-day repurchase rate by 25 basis points to 1.00% during its first review of 2026. This move caught the majority of economists by surprise, as most had predicted no change following stronger-than-expected economic performance in late 2025.

This decision aims to support economic recovery, alleviate the debt burden for SMEs and households, and anchor inflation expectations amid heightened downside risks. While the economy showed stronger-than-expected momentum in late 2025, the committee anticipates that future growth will remain below potential due to structural impediments, necessitating a more accommodative policy stance to counter a strengthening currency and slowing private consumption.

Key Factors

• Economic growth is projected to stay below potential in 2026 and 2027, constrained by intensified competition and structural issues that limit the value added by exports and investment.
• Headline inflation risks have increased on the downside due to falling energy prices and weak demand-side pressures, with a return to the target range now delayed until the second half of 2027.
• The Thai baht has appreciated against the U.S. dollar, leading to concerns regarding exchange rate misalignment and its negative impact on exporter competitiveness.
• Overall credit continues to contract as financial institutions maintain a cautious lending stance, particularly toward SMEs and high-risk borrowers.
• Two dissenting members voted to maintain the rate at 1.25%, arguing that existing policy transmission is still ongoing and that preserving limited monetary policy space is critical.
• The MPC emphasized that monetary policy alone cannot resolve structural growth problems and called for integrated policies to improve national productivity and competitiveness.

Primary Macroeconomic Factors

The decision was driven by the need to buffer the Thai economy against specific external and domestic challenges:

• US Tariff Uncertainty: The central bank cited concerns regarding the unpredictable nature of US trade tariffs and the potential impact they could have on the Thai economy.
• Strengthening Currency: The “strengthening baht” was identified as a key challenge that the rate cut seeks to address, as a strong currency can impact export competitiveness.
• External Risks: The move serves as a proactive measure to protect the economy against broader external risks that may threaten stability.

Economic Stimulation and Support

Beyond immediate risks, the rate cut was part of a broader strategy to support the national economy:

• Sparking Growth: The reduction is intended to “spark” Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy, which has seen authorities trying to stimulate momentum through a series of cuts.
• Continued Monetary Support: This was the sixth rate cut since October 2024 (totaling a 150-basis-point reduction), indicating an ongoing effort to provide a supportive monetary environment despite recent improvements in the economy.

Context of the “Unexpected” Decision

The move was considered unexpected by the majority of economists (21 out of 27 polled by Reuters) because several positive indicators suggested no change was necessary:

• Stronger-than-expected GDP growth in the fourth quarter of the previous year.
• An optimistic outlook from the central bank, which raised its 2026 GDP growth projection from 1.5% to 1.9%.
• An improving political outlook within the country.

Although the domestic growth outlook was improving, the MPC focused on defensive measures to counter currency strength and global trade uncertainties, such as US tariffs, to ensure sustained economic stability. While domestic indicators showed signs of recovery, the MPC remained cautious, prioritizing strategies to mitigate risks associated with external pressures. These included addressing potential volatility from fluctuating exchange rates and navigating the challenges posed by shifting global trade policies. By maintaining a balanced approach, the committee aimed to safeguard long-term economic resilience and foster a stable growth environment.

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