Return on Equity (ROE)
since 2005
Calculation
Netflix Inc., ROE, long-term trends, calculation
| ROE | = | 100 | × | Net income1 | ÷ | Stockholders’ equity1 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 31, 2024 | 35.21% | = | 100 | × | 8,711,631) | ÷ | 24,743,567) |
| Dec 31, 2023 | 26.27% | = | 100 | × | 5,407,990) | ÷ | 20,588,313) |
| Dec 31, 2022 | 21.62% | = | 100 | × | 4,491,924) | ÷ | 20,777,401) |
| Dec 31, 2021 | 32.28% | = | 100 | × | 5,116,228) | ÷ | 15,849,248) |
| Dec 31, 2020 | 24.96% | = | 100 | × | 2,761,395) | ÷ | 11,065,240) |
| Dec 31, 2019 | 24.62% | = | 100 | × | 1,866,916) | ÷ | 7,582,157) |
| Dec 31, 2018 | 23.12% | = | 100 | × | 1,211,242) | ÷ | 5,238,765) |
| Dec 31, 2017 | 15.60% | = | 100 | × | 558,929) | ÷ | 3,581,956) |
| Dec 31, 2016 | 6.97% | = | 100 | × | 186,678) | ÷ | 2,679,800) |
| Dec 31, 2015 | 5.52% | = | 100 | × | 122,641) | ÷ | 2,223,426) |
| Dec 31, 2014 | 14.36% | = | 100 | × | 266,799) | ÷ | 1,857,708) |
| Dec 31, 2013 | 8.43% | = | 100 | × | 112,403) | ÷ | 1,333,561) |
| Dec 31, 2012 | 2.30% | = | 100 | × | 17,152) | ÷ | 744,673) |
| Dec 31, 2011 | 35.18% | = | 100 | × | 226,126) | ÷ | 642,810) |
| Dec 31, 2010 | 55.44% | = | 100 | × | 160,853) | ÷ | 290,164) |
| Dec 31, 2009 | 58.18% | = | 100 | × | 115,860) | ÷ | 199,143) |
| Dec 31, 2008 | 23.92% | = | 100 | × | 83,026) | ÷ | 347,155) |
| Dec 31, 2007 | 15.54% | = | 100 | × | 66,952) | ÷ | 430,749) |
| Dec 31, 2006 | 11.85% | = | 100 | × | 49,082) | ÷ | 414,211) |
| Dec 31, 2005 | 18.58% | = | 100 | × | 42,027) | ÷ | 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 financial data reveals several notable trends in profitability, equity growth, and return on equity (ROE) over the examined periods.
- Net Income
-
Net income exhibited a general upward trend from 2005 to 2024, with some fluctuations in between. From 2005 through 2007, net income increased steadily, peaking in 2007 before a slight decline in 2008. A pronounced drop occurred in 2012, with net income falling sharply relative to prior years, but this was followed by a robust recovery starting in 2013. Post-2013, net income showed significant growth, reaching its highest levels in the 2020 to 2024 range. This increase suggests successful operations and expanding profitability in recent years.
- Stockholders' Equity
-
Stockholders' equity generally trended upward over the full period, signifying accumulation of net assets. An initial increase was observed from 2005 through 2007, followed by a decline in 2008 and 2009. Subsequently, equity demonstrated strong growth starting in 2010, accelerating particularly after 2011. Equity values more than doubled from 2011 to 2017 and continued to increase through 2024, though a slight dip appeared between 2022 and 2023. This trend highlights an overall strengthening of the company's financial position and capital base with some short-term volatility.
- Return on Equity (ROE)
-
ROE reflected considerable variability over the years. Initially, ROE was relatively high, peaking sharply in 2009 at over 58%, which indicates extremely efficient use of equity at that time. However, after 2009, ROE declined significantly, reaching very low levels in 2012 (2.3%) signaling a period of reduced profitability or increased equity base relative to net income. From 2013 onwards, ROE gradually recovered and stabilized, generally fluctuating between approximately 14% and 35%. The most recent years from 2020 to 2024 show an improving trend in ROE, suggesting enhanced operational efficiency and profitability relative to shareholders' equity.
In summary, the company’s financial performance over the analyzed period demonstrates healthy long-term growth in income and equity, with periodic fluctuations. The notable dip in net income and ROE around 2012 was followed by sustained recovery and stronger performance thereafter. The increasing ROE in recent years implies improved returns to shareholders alongside expansion in the equity base.
Comparison to Competitors
Netflix Inc., ROE, 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 | 35.21% | 30.80% | 18.92% | 34.14% | -66.06% | 4.94% |
| Dec 31, 2023 | 26.27% | 26.04% | 18.61% | 25.53% | -12.44% | 2.37% |
| Dec 31, 2022 | 21.62% | 23.41% | 6.63% | 18.45% | 10.97% | 3.31% |
| Dec 31, 2021 | 32.28% | 30.22% | 14.73% | 31.53% | 17.67% | 2.25% |
| Dec 31, 2020 | 24.96% | 18.09% | 11.66% | 22.72% | 15.93% | -3.43% |
| Dec 31, 2019 | 24.62% | 17.05% | 15.78% | 18.29% | 16.36% | 12.44% |
| Dec 31, 2018 | 23.12% | 17.30% | 16.38% | 26.28% | 11.65% | 25.83% |
| Dec 31, 2017 | 15.60% | 8.30% | 33.11% | 21.43% | 6.71% | 21.74% |
| Dec 31, 2016 | 6.97% | 14.01% | 16.12% | 17.26% | -1.43% | 21.71% |
| Dec 31, 2015 | 5.52% | 13.59% | 15.62% | 8.34% | -49.63% | 18.83% |
| Dec 31, 2014 | 14.36% | 13.82% | 15.90% | 8.14% | 45.10% | 16.68% |
| Dec 31, 2013 | 8.43% | 14.80% | 13.45% | 9.70% | -5.02% | 13.51% |
| Dec 31, 2012 | 2.30% | 14.97% | 12.57% | 0.45% | -18.27% | 14.29% |
| Dec 31, 2011 | 35.18% | 16.75% | 8.80% | — | 7.88% | 12.86% |
| Dec 31, 2010 | 55.44% | 18.39% | 8.20% | — | -23.62% | 10.56% |
| Dec 31, 2009 | 58.18% | 18.11% | 8.52% | — | -27.25% | 9.80% |
| Dec 31, 2008 | 23.92% | 14.97% | 6.30% | — | 15.79% | 13.70% |
| Dec 31, 2007 | 15.54% | 18.53% | 6.26% | — | -29.38% | 15.24% |
| Dec 31, 2006 | 11.85% | 18.06% | 6.15% | — | -33.59% | 10.60% |
| Dec 31, 2005 | 18.58% | 15.56% | 2.31% | — | 5.38% | 9.66% |
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., ROE, long-term trends, comparison to sector (media & entertainment)
| Netflix Inc. | Media & Entertainment | |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 31, 2024 | 35.21% | 26.04% |
| Dec 31, 2023 | 26.27% | 20.82% |
| Dec 31, 2022 | 21.62% | 16.59% |
| Dec 31, 2021 | 32.28% | 23.65% |
| Dec 31, 2020 | 24.96% | 14.91% |
| Dec 31, 2019 | 24.62% | 16.36% |
| Dec 31, 2018 | 23.12% | 20.20% |
| Dec 31, 2017 | 15.60% | 17.85% |
| Dec 31, 2016 | 6.97% | 16.06% |
| Dec 31, 2015 | 5.52% | 13.79% |
| Dec 31, 2014 | 14.36% | 14.07% |
| Dec 31, 2013 | 8.43% | 13.67% |
| Dec 31, 2012 | 2.30% | 12.98% |
| Dec 31, 2011 | 35.18% | 13.17% |
| Dec 31, 2010 | 55.44% | 12.52% |
| Dec 31, 2009 | 58.18% | 11.88% |
| Dec 31, 2008 | 23.92% | 11.16% |
| Dec 31, 2007 | 15.54% | 11.92% |
| Dec 31, 2006 | 11.85% | 9.72% |
| Dec 31, 2005 | 18.58% | 6.52% |
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., ROE, long-term trends, comparison to industry (communication services)
| Netflix Inc. | Communication Services | |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 31, 2024 | 35.21% | 23.08% |
| Dec 31, 2023 | 26.27% | 18.63% |
| Dec 31, 2022 | 21.62% | 13.31% |
| Dec 31, 2021 | 32.28% | 20.33% |
| Dec 31, 2020 | 24.96% | 11.51% |
| Dec 31, 2019 | 24.62% | 15.27% |
| Dec 31, 2018 | 23.12% | 17.88% |
| Dec 31, 2017 | 15.60% | 22.82% |
| Dec 31, 2016 | 6.97% | 16.33% |
| Dec 31, 2015 | 5.52% | 16.29% |
| Dec 31, 2014 | 14.36% | 14.07% |
| Dec 31, 2013 | 8.43% | 16.60% |
| Dec 31, 2012 | 2.30% | 10.26% |
| Dec 31, 2011 | 35.18% | 8.87% |
| Dec 31, 2010 | 55.44% | 13.81% |
| Dec 31, 2009 | 58.18% | 11.54% |
| Dec 31, 2008 | 23.92% | 12.78% |
| Dec 31, 2007 | 15.54% | 11.04% |
| Dec 31, 2006 | 11.85% | 8.78% |
| Dec 31, 2005 | 18.58% | 10.04% |
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).