Major Averages Broadly Higher as U.S.-Iran War May End Soon
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Apr 06 2026
0mins
The major averages were broadly higher near noon as investors weigh the odds that the U.S.-Iran war could potentially be over soon. Over the weekend and into today, headlines have pulled in opposite directions. On one hand, there are reported to be discussions around a potential 45-day ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, which has helped stabilize sentiment and even push oil lower at moments. On the other hand, renewed threats around striking Iranian infrastructure are keeping crude elevated around the $110 range and preventing a full risk-on move.Meanwhile, Monday is the first trading day since the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics announced its jobs report for March. The U.S. added 178,000 jobs last month, the biggest gain since December 2024, with the unemployment rate falling to 4.3%.Get caught up quickly on the top news and calls moving stocks with these five Top Five lists.1. STOCK NEWS:NeurocrineSoleno Therapeuticsfor $53 per share in cashAn Italian court ruled that Netflixunlawfully increased prices,WWannounced the establishment of theOracle (ORCL) announced the appointment of Hilary Maxson as CFO, which Barclays views asMarch U.S. nonfarm payrolls rose 178,000, with the2. WALL STREET CALLS:Netflixto Buy at Goldman SachsCarvanato Neutral at BofAKratos Defenseto Buy at Jefferies on missile demandTwilioto Buy at JefferiesBofADow Inc.and LyondellBasellto Underperform3. AROUND THE WEB:Mazdais halting production of vehicles made for the Middle East until May following the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Nikkei Asia saysA Meta-backeddata center campus is seeking $3B in construction loans for an off-grid project, FT reportsLiberty Globalhas tabled an offer to buy a London-based franchise that would participate in a new European basketball league being set up by the National Basketball Association, Sky News saysParamounthas received signed equity commitments of close to $24B from three sovereign-wealth funds led by Saudi Arabia to help back its takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, WSJ reportsUniversal Pictures' and Nintendo's"The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" has earned an estimated $372.5M in worldwide box-office sales, the biggest opening of 2026 so far, WSJ says4. MOVERS:FuboTVgains afterfor FY26 and FY28AMC Entertainmentincreases after delivering aover the 5-day Easter weekendSeagatehigher after Morgan Stanley named the company as aViridianfalls after Amgen'sPhase 3 trial of Tepezza met itsAtlas Energylower after announcing a5. EARNINGS/GUIDANCE:Sunshine Biopharma, with EPS and revenue higher year-over-yearScinai Immunotherapeuticstargeted $5M inDeFi Technologies, with the company stating, "These results reflect the strength of the business model we have built"Delta Air Linesis expectedon April 8, 2026Constellation Brandsis expectedon April 8, 2026INDEXES:Near midday, the Dow was up 0.20%, or 93.54, to 46,598.21, the Nasdaq was up 0.42%, or 91.62, to 21,970.80, and the S&P 500 was up 0.28%, or 18.18, to 6,600.87.
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Analyst Views on NFLX
Wall Street analysts forecast NFLX stock price to rise
38 Analyst Rating
27 Buy
10 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 77.650
Low
92.00
Averages
114.18
High
150.00
Current: 77.650
Low
92.00
Averages
114.18
High
150.00
About NFLX
Netflix, Inc. is a provider of entertainment services. The Company acquires, licenses and produces content, including original programming. It provides paid memberships in over 190 countries offering television (TV) series, films and games across a variety of genres and languages. It allows members to play, pause and resume watching as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, and can change their plans at any time. The Company offers members the ability to receive streaming content through a host of Internet-connected devices, including TVs, digital video players, TV set-top boxes and mobile devices. It is engaged in scaling its streaming service, such as introducing games and advertising on its service, as well as offering live programming. It is developing technology and utilizing third-party cloud computing, technology and other services. The Company is also engaged in scaling its own studio operations to produce original content.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
RiverPark Large Growth Fund Q1 2026 Investor Letter Released
- Market Volatility Impact: In Q1 2026, the US stock market declined, with the S&P 500 and Russell 1000 Growth indices falling by 4.33% and 9.78%, respectively, primarily due to escalating tensions with Iran, prompting investors to reassess future rate adjustments and impacting market sentiment.
- Netflix's Strong Performance: In the first quarter, Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX) emerged as the fifth-largest contributor to the fund, gaining approximately 3% and significantly outperforming a sharply declining market, largely due to its decision to abandon the acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, which removed major strategic and regulatory overhangs.
- Impressive Financial Metrics: Netflix reported approximately $45.2 billion in revenue for FY 2025, with an operating margin of nearly 29.5% and global paid memberships exceeding 325 million, while management guided for 12-14% revenue growth and operating margin expansion to 31.5% in 2026, indicating strong long-term growth potential.
- Confidence in Future Prospects: Despite market challenges, RiverPark remains confident in the long-term prospects and valuations of its portfolio companies, asserting that Netflix, as a dominant global streaming platform, possesses unique content libraries and scalable technology infrastructure, providing multiple monetization pillars for future earnings growth.
See More
Netflix's Advertising Business Becomes Growth Engine
- Ad Revenue Surge: Netflix's ad-supported tier reached 250 million global monthly active users in 2026, up from 190 million in late 2025, with expectations to double ad revenue to $3 billion in 2026, indicating robust market demand and sustained advertiser interest.
- Live Sports Strategy: By partnering with WWE and NFL, Netflix is testing dynamic ad insertion technology to enhance pricing power, leveraging the unique advantages of live content to attract premium advertisers and strengthen its competitive position in the advertising market.
- Margin Expansion Potential: The company reported a 32.3% operating margin in Q1 2026, with expectations of reaching 32.6% in Q2; if content spending is front-loaded, the second half could show margin expansion that exceeds market expectations, boosting investor confidence.
- Long-Term Growth Outlook: With a target of $9 billion in ad revenue by 2030, any positive signals from management in the upcoming earnings report could reshape market perceptions of Netflix's long-term earnings potential, potentially driving stock price increases.
See More
Netflix Stock Pullback Creates Buying Opportunity
- Significant Cash Flow Growth: Netflix generated approximately $2.3 billion in organic free cash flow last quarter, alongside $2.8 billion from the Warner Bros. termination fee, indicating strong cash generation capabilities, with management projecting $12.5 billion in free cash flow for the year, showcasing sustainability in content investment and profitability.
- Stable Subscription Revenue: With 325 million global subscribers, Netflix's stable subscription revenue allows for straightforward revenue growth projections, as the company employs a systematic approach to business growth, setting targets for content spending and operating margins to ensure long-term financial health.
- Content Diversification Advantage: Netflix leads competitors in content breadth and depth, with the shift to ad-supported streaming opening new opportunities for content, including sports and live events, enhancing its market competitiveness and pricing power.
- Investment Value Emerges: Following a significant stock price decline over the past year, Netflix is now valued at just 28 times free cash flow and 21 times forward earnings estimates, and while top-line growth may slow, prudent content cost management will ensure continued growth in its bottom line and free cash flow at an appealing rate, presenting a great buying opportunity for investors.
See More
Netflix Stock Declines Amidst Growth Concerns and Cost Pressures
- Revenue Growth Concerns: Netflix's stock has declined due to expectations of slowing revenue growth, currently trading about 42% below its summer peak, presenting an attractive buying opportunity for investors.
- Successful Cash Flow Transformation: The company generated approximately $2.3 billion in organic free cash flow last quarter, alongside $2.8 billion from the Warner Bros. termination fee, with management projecting $12.5 billion in free cash flow for the year, highlighting its significant cash generation capabilities.
- Content Spending Management: Netflix's cash outlays for new content are roughly 1.1 times amortized content expenses, as it continues to expand its content catalog to drive subscriber growth, ensuring predictable free cash flow growth through a systematic approach.
- Clear Competitive Advantage: With 325 million global subscribers, Netflix effectively monetizes its content, and the shift to ad-supported streaming has opened new opportunities, allowing it to maintain a leading position in the competitive streaming market.
See More
Top Stock Picks Amid Market Rally
- Netflix Investment Opportunity: Despite a 47% drop in Netflix's stock price over the past year, its 15-year average annual return is close to 22%, and its current P/E ratio of 22.4 is below the five-year average of 31.3, indicating a good opportunity for long-term investors, especially as the company continues to expand into games and live programming.
- Microsoft Growth Potential: Microsoft’s stock has fallen about 24% over the past year, yet its market cap remains at $2.9 trillion, with third-quarter revenue up 18% year-over-year and net income up 23%, while its AI business has reached an annual revenue run rate of $37 billion, growing 123%, showcasing strong growth in cloud and AI sectors.
- Nvidia Market Performance: Nvidia's stock has risen about 27% over the past year, with a market cap of $4.8 trillion and a 15-year average annual return of 51%, while its latest quarter saw revenue pop by 85% year-over-year, reflecting strong demand for AI chips, and its P/E ratio of 22.8 is below the five-year average of 35.4.
- Investor Focus: Amid the current market rally, companies like Netflix, Microsoft, and Nvidia exhibit strong growth potential, and investors should consider these stocks for long-term investment opportunities, particularly due to ongoing innovation and expansion in their respective fields.
See More
Analysis of Netflix, Microsoft, and Nvidia Stocks
- Netflix Stock Opportunity: Despite a 47% drop in Netflix's stock over the past year, its 15-year average annual return is nearly 22%, and the current forward P/E ratio of 22.4 is well below the five-year average of 31.3, indicating a good opportunity for long-term investors.
- Microsoft's Growth Potential: With a market value of $2.85 trillion, Microsoft reported an 18% year-over-year revenue increase and a 23% rise in net income in its third quarter, while its AI business surpassed an annual revenue run rate of $37 billion, growing 123% year-over-year, showcasing strong growth momentum.
- Nvidia's Market Performance: Nvidia's market value stands at $4.8 trillion, with its stock price up about 27% over the past year and a recent quarterly revenue increase of 85%, while its forward P/E ratio of 22.8 remains attractive compared to the five-year average of 35.4, suggesting the stock is still appealing.
- Investment Recommendations: Despite the overall market rally, analysts suggest focusing on stocks like Netflix, Microsoft, and Nvidia due to their strong performance in their respective fields and future growth potential, particularly in AI and cloud computing investments.
See More
RiverPark Large Growth Fund Q1 2026 Investor Letter Released
- Market Volatility Impact: In Q1 2026, the US stock market declined, with the S&P 500 and Russell 1000 Growth indices falling by 4.33% and 9.78%, respectively, primarily due to escalating tensions with Iran, prompting investors to reassess future rate adjustments and impacting market sentiment.
- Netflix's Strong Performance: In the first quarter, Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX) emerged as the fifth-largest contributor to the fund, gaining approximately 3% and significantly outperforming a sharply declining market, largely due to its decision to abandon the acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, which removed major strategic and regulatory overhangs.
- Impressive Financial Metrics: Netflix reported approximately $45.2 billion in revenue for FY 2025, with an operating margin of nearly 29.5% and global paid memberships exceeding 325 million, while management guided for 12-14% revenue growth and operating margin expansion to 31.5% in 2026, indicating strong long-term growth potential.
- Confidence in Future Prospects: Despite market challenges, RiverPark remains confident in the long-term prospects and valuations of its portfolio companies, asserting that Netflix, as a dominant global streaming platform, possesses unique content libraries and scalable technology infrastructure, providing multiple monetization pillars for future earnings growth.
See More
Netflix's Advertising Business Becomes Growth Engine
- Ad Revenue Surge: Netflix's ad-supported tier reached 250 million global monthly active users in 2026, up from 190 million in late 2025, with expectations to double ad revenue to $3 billion in 2026, indicating robust market demand and sustained advertiser interest.
- Live Sports Strategy: By partnering with WWE and NFL, Netflix is testing dynamic ad insertion technology to enhance pricing power, leveraging the unique advantages of live content to attract premium advertisers and strengthen its competitive position in the advertising market.
- Margin Expansion Potential: The company reported a 32.3% operating margin in Q1 2026, with expectations of reaching 32.6% in Q2; if content spending is front-loaded, the second half could show margin expansion that exceeds market expectations, boosting investor confidence.
- Long-Term Growth Outlook: With a target of $9 billion in ad revenue by 2030, any positive signals from management in the upcoming earnings report could reshape market perceptions of Netflix's long-term earnings potential, potentially driving stock price increases.
See More
Netflix Stock Pullback Creates Buying Opportunity
- Significant Cash Flow Growth: Netflix generated approximately $2.3 billion in organic free cash flow last quarter, alongside $2.8 billion from the Warner Bros. termination fee, indicating strong cash generation capabilities, with management projecting $12.5 billion in free cash flow for the year, showcasing sustainability in content investment and profitability.
- Stable Subscription Revenue: With 325 million global subscribers, Netflix's stable subscription revenue allows for straightforward revenue growth projections, as the company employs a systematic approach to business growth, setting targets for content spending and operating margins to ensure long-term financial health.
- Content Diversification Advantage: Netflix leads competitors in content breadth and depth, with the shift to ad-supported streaming opening new opportunities for content, including sports and live events, enhancing its market competitiveness and pricing power.
- Investment Value Emerges: Following a significant stock price decline over the past year, Netflix is now valued at just 28 times free cash flow and 21 times forward earnings estimates, and while top-line growth may slow, prudent content cost management will ensure continued growth in its bottom line and free cash flow at an appealing rate, presenting a great buying opportunity for investors.
See More
Netflix Stock Declines Amidst Growth Concerns and Cost Pressures
- Revenue Growth Concerns: Netflix's stock has declined due to expectations of slowing revenue growth, currently trading about 42% below its summer peak, presenting an attractive buying opportunity for investors.
- Successful Cash Flow Transformation: The company generated approximately $2.3 billion in organic free cash flow last quarter, alongside $2.8 billion from the Warner Bros. termination fee, with management projecting $12.5 billion in free cash flow for the year, highlighting its significant cash generation capabilities.
- Content Spending Management: Netflix's cash outlays for new content are roughly 1.1 times amortized content expenses, as it continues to expand its content catalog to drive subscriber growth, ensuring predictable free cash flow growth through a systematic approach.
- Clear Competitive Advantage: With 325 million global subscribers, Netflix effectively monetizes its content, and the shift to ad-supported streaming has opened new opportunities, allowing it to maintain a leading position in the competitive streaming market.
See More
Top Stock Picks Amid Market Rally
- Netflix Investment Opportunity: Despite a 47% drop in Netflix's stock price over the past year, its 15-year average annual return is close to 22%, and its current P/E ratio of 22.4 is below the five-year average of 31.3, indicating a good opportunity for long-term investors, especially as the company continues to expand into games and live programming.
- Microsoft Growth Potential: Microsoft’s stock has fallen about 24% over the past year, yet its market cap remains at $2.9 trillion, with third-quarter revenue up 18% year-over-year and net income up 23%, while its AI business has reached an annual revenue run rate of $37 billion, growing 123%, showcasing strong growth in cloud and AI sectors.
- Nvidia Market Performance: Nvidia's stock has risen about 27% over the past year, with a market cap of $4.8 trillion and a 15-year average annual return of 51%, while its latest quarter saw revenue pop by 85% year-over-year, reflecting strong demand for AI chips, and its P/E ratio of 22.8 is below the five-year average of 35.4.
- Investor Focus: Amid the current market rally, companies like Netflix, Microsoft, and Nvidia exhibit strong growth potential, and investors should consider these stocks for long-term investment opportunities, particularly due to ongoing innovation and expansion in their respective fields.
See More
Analysis of Netflix, Microsoft, and Nvidia Stocks
- Netflix Stock Opportunity: Despite a 47% drop in Netflix's stock over the past year, its 15-year average annual return is nearly 22%, and the current forward P/E ratio of 22.4 is well below the five-year average of 31.3, indicating a good opportunity for long-term investors.
- Microsoft's Growth Potential: With a market value of $2.85 trillion, Microsoft reported an 18% year-over-year revenue increase and a 23% rise in net income in its third quarter, while its AI business surpassed an annual revenue run rate of $37 billion, growing 123% year-over-year, showcasing strong growth momentum.
- Nvidia's Market Performance: Nvidia's market value stands at $4.8 trillion, with its stock price up about 27% over the past year and a recent quarterly revenue increase of 85%, while its forward P/E ratio of 22.8 remains attractive compared to the five-year average of 35.4, suggesting the stock is still appealing.
- Investment Recommendations: Despite the overall market rally, analysts suggest focusing on stocks like Netflix, Microsoft, and Nvidia due to their strong performance in their respective fields and future growth potential, particularly in AI and cloud computing investments.
See More
