Debt to Equity
since 2005
Calculation
Netflix Inc., debt to equity, long-term trends, calculation
| Debt to equity | = | Total debt1 | ÷ | Stockholders’ equity1 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 31, 2024 | 0.63 | = | 15,582,804) | ÷ | 24,743,567) |
| Dec 31, 2023 | 0.71 | = | 14,543,261) | ÷ | 20,588,313) |
| Dec 31, 2022 | 0.69 | = | 14,353,076) | ÷ | 20,777,401) |
| Dec 31, 2021 | 0.97 | = | 15,392,895) | ÷ | 15,849,248) |
| Dec 31, 2020 | 1.47 | = | 16,308,973) | ÷ | 11,065,240) |
| Dec 31, 2019 | 1.95 | = | 14,759,260) | ÷ | 7,582,157) |
| Dec 31, 2018 | 1.98 | = | 10,360,058) | ÷ | 5,238,765) |
| Dec 31, 2017 | 1.81 | = | 6,499,432) | ÷ | 3,581,956) |
| Dec 31, 2016 | 1.26 | = | 3,364,311) | ÷ | 2,679,800) |
| Dec 31, 2015 | 1.07 | = | 2,371,362) | ÷ | 2,223,426) |
| Dec 31, 2014 | 0.48 | = | 900,000) | ÷ | 1,857,708) |
| Dec 31, 2013 | 0.37 | = | 500,000) | ÷ | 1,333,561) |
| Dec 31, 2012 | 0.54 | = | 400,000) | ÷ | 744,673) |
| Dec 31, 2011 | 0.62 | = | 400,000) | ÷ | 642,810) |
| Dec 31, 2010 | 0.69 | = | 200,000) | ÷ | 290,164) |
| Dec 31, 2009 | 1.00 | = | 200,000) | ÷ | 199,143) |
| Dec 31, 2008 | 0.00 | = | —) | ÷ | 347,155) |
| Dec 31, 2007 | 0.00 | = | —) | ÷ | 430,749) |
| Dec 31, 2006 | 0.00 | = | —) | ÷ | 414,211) |
| Dec 31, 2005 | 0.00 | = | —) | ÷ | 226,252) |
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2010-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2009-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2008-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2007-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2006-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2005-12-31).
1 US$ in thousands
The analysis of the annual financial data reveals several notable trends in the financial structure over the reported periods. Firstly, total debt shows a consistent and substantial increase from 2009 onward, rising from 200 million US dollars to over 15.5 billion US dollars by 2024. This represents a significant increase in leverage over the years, particularly noticeable after 2011 where the debt level escalates sharply each year.
Secondly, stockholders' equity demonstrates a generally upward trajectory throughout the entire timeline. Starting at approximately 226 million US dollars in 2005, equity grows steadily with minor fluctuations, reaching nearly 24.7 billion US dollars by 2024. This indicates strong accumulation of shareholder value alongside rising invested capital, with marked acceleration especially after 2010.
Regarding leverage ratios, the debt to equity ratio is available starting from about 2009 and shows a fluctuating pattern. Initially, it decreases from around 1 in 2009 to 0.37 in 2013, indicating a reduction in financial leverage or an improvement in equity relative to debt during this period. However, from 2013 to 2017, the ratio increases sharply, peaking near 2.0 in 2017, suggesting heightened reliance on debt financing. Following this peak, there is a consistent decline in the ratio from 2018 through 2024, reaching approximately 0.63, implying a deliberate effort to deleverage or strengthen the equity base relative to debt exposure.
Overall, the data suggest a period of aggressive debt accumulation starting in the early 2010s, accompanied by steady growth in equity. The peak in leverage around 2017 may reflect strategic financing decisions, possibly for expansion or investment, followed by a phase of consolidation and risk reduction as evidenced by the decreasing debt to equity ratio in subsequent years. The sustained increase in stockholders' equity alongside high debt levels highlights the company's capacity to maintain investor confidence and capital growth despite significant borrowing.
- Total Debt
- Increased significantly from 200 million US dollars in 2009 to over 15.5 billion US dollars by 2024, indicating rising leverage.
- Stockholders’ Equity
- Displayed a steady upward trend from approximately 226 million US dollars in 2005 reaching nearly 24.7 billion US dollars by 2024, reflecting strong capital growth.
- Debt to Equity Ratio
- Varied notably, decreasing from 1.0 in 2009 to 0.37 in 2013, then rising sharply to a peak near 2.0 in 2017, before steadily declining to about 0.63 in 2024, signaling phases of increased leverage and subsequent deleveraging.
Comparison to Competitors
Netflix Inc., debt to equity, long-term trends, comparison to competitors
| Netflix Inc. | Alphabet Inc. | Comcast Corp. | Meta Platforms Inc. | Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. | Walt Disney Co. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 31, 2024 | 0.63 | 0.03 | 1.16 | 0.16 | 0.54 | 0.45 |
| Dec 31, 2023 | 0.71 | 0.05 | 1.17 | 0.12 | 0.34 | 0.47 |
| Dec 31, 2022 | 0.69 | 0.06 | 1.17 | 0.08 | 0.00 | 0.51 |
| Dec 31, 2021 | 0.97 | 0.06 | 0.99 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.61 |
| Dec 31, 2020 | 1.47 | 0.06 | 1.15 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.70 |
| Dec 31, 2019 | 1.95 | 0.02 | 1.24 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.53 |
| Dec 31, 2018 | 1.98 | 0.02 | 1.56 | 0.00 | 0.01 | 0.43 |
| Dec 31, 2017 | 1.81 | 0.03 | 0.94 | 0.00 | 0.25 | 0.61 |
| Dec 31, 2016 | 1.26 | 0.03 | 1.13 | 0.00 | 0.86 | 0.47 |
| Dec 31, 2015 | 1.07 | 0.04 | 1.01 | 0.00 | 0.85 | 0.39 |
| Dec 31, 2014 | 0.48 | 0.05 | 0.92 | 0.01 | 0.57 | 0.33 |
| Dec 31, 2013 | 0.37 | 0.06 | 0.94 | 0.03 | 0.57 | 0.31 |
| Dec 31, 2012 | 0.54 | 0.08 | 0.82 | 0.20 | 0.53 | 0.36 |
| Dec 31, 2011 | 0.62 | 0.07 | 0.83 | — | 0.17 | 0.37 |
| Dec 31, 2010 | 0.69 | 0.07 | 0.71 | — | 0.19 | 0.33 |
| Dec 31, 2009 | 1.00 | 0.00 | 0.68 | — | 0.27 | 0.38 |
| Dec 31, 2008 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.80 | — | 0.11 | 0.45 |
| Dec 31, 2007 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.76 | — | 0.04 | 0.49 |
| Dec 31, 2006 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.70 | — | 0.00 | 0.43 |
| Dec 31, 2005 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.58 | — | 0.00 | 0.48 |
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2010-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2009-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2008-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2007-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2006-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2005-12-31).
Comparison to Sector (Media & Entertainment)
Netflix Inc., debt to equity, long-term trends, comparison to sector (media & entertainment)
| Netflix Inc. | Media & Entertainment | |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 31, 2024 | 0.63 | 0.28 |
| Dec 31, 2023 | 0.71 | 0.30 |
| Dec 31, 2022 | 0.69 | 0.31 |
| Dec 31, 2021 | 0.97 | 0.31 |
| Dec 31, 2020 | 1.47 | 0.36 |
| Dec 31, 2019 | 1.95 | 0.35 |
| Dec 31, 2018 | 1.98 | 0.38 |
| Dec 31, 2017 | 1.81 | 0.29 |
| Dec 31, 2016 | 1.26 | 0.30 |
| Dec 31, 2015 | 1.07 | 0.30 |
| Dec 31, 2014 | 0.48 | 0.29 |
| Dec 31, 2013 | 0.37 | 0.34 |
| Dec 31, 2012 | 0.54 | 0.36 |
| Dec 31, 2011 | 0.62 | 0.40 |
| Dec 31, 2010 | 0.69 | 0.37 |
| Dec 31, 2009 | 1.00 | 0.37 |
| Dec 31, 2008 | 0.00 | 0.46 |
| Dec 31, 2007 | 0.00 | 0.49 |
| Dec 31, 2006 | 0.00 | 0.47 |
| Dec 31, 2005 | 0.00 | 0.47 |
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2010-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2009-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2008-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2007-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2006-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2005-12-31).
Comparison to Industry (Communication Services)
Netflix Inc., debt to equity, long-term trends, comparison to industry (communication services)
| Netflix Inc. | Communication Services | |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 31, 2024 | 0.63 | 0.56 |
| Dec 31, 2023 | 0.71 | 0.61 |
| Dec 31, 2022 | 0.69 | 0.65 |
| Dec 31, 2021 | 0.97 | 0.65 |
| Dec 31, 2020 | 1.47 | 0.66 |
| Dec 31, 2019 | 1.95 | 0.62 |
| Dec 31, 2018 | 1.98 | 0.71 |
| Dec 31, 2017 | 1.81 | 0.75 |
| Dec 31, 2016 | 1.26 | 0.75 |
| Dec 31, 2015 | 1.07 | 0.81 |
| Dec 31, 2014 | 0.48 | 0.81 |
| Dec 31, 2013 | 0.37 | 0.75 |
| Dec 31, 2012 | 0.54 | 0.62 |
| Dec 31, 2011 | 0.62 | 0.62 |
| Dec 31, 2010 | 0.69 | 0.60 |
| Dec 31, 2009 | 1.00 | 0.69 |
| Dec 31, 2008 | 0.00 | 0.73 |
| Dec 31, 2007 | 0.00 | 0.54 |
| Dec 31, 2006 | 0.00 | 0.54 |
| Dec 31, 2005 | 0.00 | 0.62 |
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2010-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2009-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2008-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2007-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2006-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2005-12-31).