Analysis of Solvency Ratios
Solvency ratios also known as long-term debt ratios measure a company ability to meet long-term obligations.
Solvency Ratios (Summary)
Netflix Inc., solvency ratios
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).
- Debt to Equity Ratios
- Both the standard debt to equity ratio and the adjusted ratio including operating lease liabilities show a consistent downward trend from 2020 through 2024. The debt to equity ratio decreased from 1.47 in 2020 to 0.63 in 2024, indicating a significant reduction in reliance on debt relative to shareholder equity. When including operating lease liabilities, the ratio similarly declined from 1.67 to 0.73 over the same period. This suggests improved capital structure and reduced financial risk associated with leverage.
- Debt to Capital Ratios
- Debt to capital ratios also demonstrated a declining pattern. The ratio without operating leases decreased from 0.60 in 2020 to 0.39 in 2024, and the ratio including operating lease liabilities went from 0.63 to 0.42. This indicates a decreasing proportion of debt in the company's overall capital base, emphasizing a strengthening equity position or repayment of liabilities.
- Debt to Assets Ratios
- The debt to assets ratios mirror the overall trend of decreasing leverage. The ratio dropped from 0.42 in 2020 to 0.29 in 2024, and including operating lease liabilities it declined from 0.47 to 0.34. This reduction signals a lower percentage of assets financed through debt, contributing to a less risky asset base composition.
- Financial Leverage
- Financial leverage decreased steadily from 3.55 in 2020 to 2.17 in 2024. This decline complements the lowering debt ratios and suggests a reduced dependence on debt financing to enhance returns on equity, reflecting stronger equity growth relative to total assets.
- Interest Coverage Ratios
- Interest coverage ratios indicate an improving ability to meet interest obligations. Starting from 5.17 in 2020, it increased consistently to reach 14.87 in 2024. This trend points to enhanced profitability or earnings before interest and taxes outpacing interest expenses, thus reducing financial risk and cost of borrowing.
- Fixed Charge Coverage Ratios
- Fixed charge coverage ratios also show improvement, rising from 3.65 in 2020 to 8.20 in 2024. This reflects growing capacity to cover fixed charges beyond interest expenses, such as lease payments, indicating superior operational cash flow generation and financial stability.
Debt Ratios
Coverage Ratios
Debt to Equity
Netflix Inc., debt to equity calculation, comparison to benchmarks
| Dec 31, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Dec 31, 2021 | Dec 31, 2020 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data (US$ in thousands) | ||||||
| Short-term debt | 1,784,453) | 399,844) | —) | 699,823) | 499,878) | |
| Long-term debt | 13,798,351) | 14,143,417) | 14,353,076) | 14,693,072) | 15,809,095) | |
| Total debt | 15,582,804) | 14,543,261) | 14,353,076) | 15,392,895) | 16,308,973) | |
| Stockholders’ equity | 24,743,567) | 20,588,313) | 20,777,401) | 15,849,248) | 11,065,240) | |
| Solvency Ratio | ||||||
| Debt to equity1 | 0.63 | 0.71 | 0.69 | 0.97 | 1.47 | |
| Benchmarks | ||||||
| Debt to Equity, Competitors2 | ||||||
| Alphabet Inc. | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.06 | 0.06 | 0.07 | |
| Comcast Corp. | 1.16 | 1.17 | 1.17 | 0.99 | 1.15 | |
| Meta Platforms Inc. | 0.16 | 0.12 | 0.08 | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. | 0.54 | 0.34 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Walt Disney Co. | 0.46 | 0.47 | 0.51 | 0.62 | 0.71 | |
| Debt to Equity, Sector | ||||||
| Media & Entertainment | 0.29 | 0.30 | 0.31 | 0.31 | 0.36 | |
| Debt to Equity, Industry | ||||||
| Communication Services | 0.56 | 0.62 | 0.65 | 0.65 | 0.67 | |
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).
1 2024 Calculation
Debt to equity = Total debt ÷ Stockholders’ equity
= 15,582,804 ÷ 24,743,567 = 0.63
2 Click competitor name to see calculations.
An analysis of the provided financial data reveals several significant trends regarding the company's capital structure over the five-year period ending December 31, 2024.
- Total Debt
- The total debt exhibits a general downward trend from 2020 through 2022, decreasing from approximately $16.3 billion to $14.35 billion. This reduction indicates a strategic effort to lower leverage or to repay outstanding obligations. However, in 2023 and 2024, the total debt slightly increased, reaching approximately $15.58 billion by the end of 2024. Despite this recent uptick, the debt level at the end of 2024 remains lower than the initial value recorded in 2020.
- Stockholders’ Equity
- Stockholders' equity shows a consistent upward trajectory throughout the entire period. Starting at approximately $11.1 billion in 2020, equity rose substantially each year, reaching about $24.7 billion by the end of 2024. This strong growth in equity suggests sustained profitability, retained earnings, or additional capital infusions, which improve the firm's net worth and financial stability.
- Debt to Equity Ratio
- The debt to equity ratio demonstrates a marked decrease from 1.47 in 2020 to 0.63 in 2024. This decline reflects a reduction in leverage relative to equity, indicating a stronger balance sheet and potentially lower financial risk. The ratio fell sharply between 2020 and 2022 and has remained relatively stable thereafter, with a slight increase in 2023 but a decrease again in 2024.
In summary, the data indicates a strategic improvement in the company's financial leverage position over the five-year span. The reduction in total debt (despite a minor rebound toward the end of the period) combined with a robust increase in stockholders' equity has positively influenced the debt to equity ratio. These trends collectively suggest enhanced financial resilience and potentially greater capacity for future investments or debt servicing.
Debt to Equity (including Operating Lease Liability)
Netflix Inc., debt to equity (including operating lease liability) calculation, comparison to benchmarks
| Dec 31, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Dec 31, 2021 | Dec 31, 2020 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data (US$ in thousands) | ||||||
| Short-term debt | 1,784,453) | 399,844) | —) | 699,823) | 499,878) | |
| Long-term debt | 13,798,351) | 14,143,417) | 14,353,076) | 14,693,072) | 15,809,095) | |
| Total debt | 15,582,804) | 14,543,261) | 14,353,076) | 15,392,895) | 16,308,973) | |
| Current operating lease liabilities (included in Accrued expenses and other liabilities) | 428,482) | 383,312) | 355,985) | 315,189) | 256,222) | |
| Non-current operating lease liabilities (included in Other non-current liabilities) | 1,983,688) | 2,046,801) | 2,222,503) | 2,408,486) | 1,945,631) | |
| Total debt (including operating lease liability) | 17,994,974) | 16,973,374) | 16,931,564) | 18,116,570) | 18,510,826) | |
| Stockholders’ equity | 24,743,567) | 20,588,313) | 20,777,401) | 15,849,248) | 11,065,240) | |
| Solvency Ratio | ||||||
| Debt to equity (including operating lease liability)1 | 0.73 | 0.82 | 0.81 | 1.14 | 1.67 | |
| Benchmarks | ||||||
| Debt to Equity (including Operating Lease Liability), Competitors2 | ||||||
| Alphabet Inc. | 0.09 | 0.11 | 0.12 | 0.11 | 0.13 | |
| Comcast Corp. | 1.23 | 1.25 | 1.26 | 1.06 | 1.20 | |
| Meta Platforms Inc. | 0.27 | 0.25 | 0.22 | 0.12 | 0.09 | |
| Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. | 0.62 | 0.39 | 0.07 | 0.06 | 0.07 | |
| Walt Disney Co. | 0.49 | 0.51 | 0.55 | 0.66 | 0.75 | |
| Debt to Equity (including Operating Lease Liability), Sector | ||||||
| Media & Entertainment | 0.35 | 0.37 | 0.39 | 0.38 | 0.42 | |
| Debt to Equity (including Operating Lease Liability), Industry | ||||||
| Communication Services | 0.69 | 0.75 | 0.80 | 0.79 | 0.80 | |
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).
1 2024 Calculation
Debt to equity (including operating lease liability) = Total debt (including operating lease liability) ÷ Stockholders’ equity
= 17,994,974 ÷ 24,743,567 = 0.73
2 Click competitor name to see calculations.
The data shows the financial leverage and capital structure trends over a five-year period. Total debt, including operating lease liabilities, exhibited a declining trend from 2020 to 2022, decreasing from approximately $18.51 billion to $16.93 billion. This decline stabilized in 2023, with total debt remaining relatively constant at around $16.97 billion, followed by an increase to about $17.99 billion in 2024.
Stockholders' equity demonstrated a consistent upward trajectory throughout the observed period. Starting at approximately $11.07 billion in 2020, equity rose significantly each year, reaching nearly $24.74 billion by 2024. This growth indicates an accumulation of retained earnings, capital issuance, or appreciation of assets over time.
The debt to equity ratio, which measures financial leverage by comparing total debt to stockholders' equity, reflected a reduction from 1.67 in 2020 to 0.73 in 2024. This declining ratio indicates a lowering reliance on debt financing relative to equity. It aligns with the observed decrease and stabilization in total debt coupled with the substantial increase in equity, suggesting a stronger equity base and potentially lower financial risk.
Overall, the trends suggest an improving financial position characterized by increasing equity and a decreasing relative debt burden, despite a slight uptick in total debt in 2024. This might imply a strategic shift toward strengthening the company's capital structure by prioritizing equity growth while cautiously managing debt levels.
Debt to Capital
Netflix Inc., debt to capital calculation, comparison to benchmarks
| Dec 31, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Dec 31, 2021 | Dec 31, 2020 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data (US$ in thousands) | ||||||
| Short-term debt | 1,784,453) | 399,844) | —) | 699,823) | 499,878) | |
| Long-term debt | 13,798,351) | 14,143,417) | 14,353,076) | 14,693,072) | 15,809,095) | |
| Total debt | 15,582,804) | 14,543,261) | 14,353,076) | 15,392,895) | 16,308,973) | |
| Stockholders’ equity | 24,743,567) | 20,588,313) | 20,777,401) | 15,849,248) | 11,065,240) | |
| Total capital | 40,326,371) | 35,131,574) | 35,130,477) | 31,242,143) | 27,374,213) | |
| Solvency Ratio | ||||||
| Debt to capital1 | 0.39 | 0.41 | 0.41 | 0.49 | 0.60 | |
| Benchmarks | ||||||
| Debt to Capital, Competitors2 | ||||||
| Alphabet Inc. | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.06 | 0.06 | 0.06 | |
| Comcast Corp. | 0.54 | 0.54 | 0.54 | 0.50 | 0.53 | |
| Meta Platforms Inc. | 0.14 | 0.11 | 0.08 | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. | 0.35 | 0.25 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Walt Disney Co. | 0.31 | 0.32 | 0.34 | 0.38 | 0.41 | |
| Debt to Capital, Sector | ||||||
| Media & Entertainment | 0.22 | 0.23 | 0.24 | 0.24 | 0.27 | |
| Debt to Capital, Industry | ||||||
| Communication Services | 0.36 | 0.38 | 0.39 | 0.39 | 0.40 | |
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).
1 2024 Calculation
Debt to capital = Total debt ÷ Total capital
= 15,582,804 ÷ 40,326,371 = 0.39
2 Click competitor name to see calculations.
The analysis of the annual financial data reveals several noteworthy trends regarding the company's debt and capital structure over the five-year period ending December 31, 2024.
- Total Debt
- The total debt demonstrates an overall decreasing trend from 2020 to 2022, declining from approximately $16.31 billion to about $14.35 billion. However, after 2022, this trend reverses slightly, with total debt increasing to approximately $14.54 billion in 2023 and further to roughly $15.58 billion in 2024. This indicates a moderate increase in debt obligations towards the later years after a period of significant reduction.
- Total Capital
- Total capital shows a consistent and substantial increase throughout the observed period. Starting at around $27.37 billion in 2020, it rises steadily each year, reaching approximately $40.33 billion by the end of 2024. This growth highlights an expansion in the company's overall capital base, reflecting either retained earnings, equity raising, or both.
- Debt to Capital Ratio
- The debt to capital ratio presents a clear downward trajectory from 0.60 in 2020 to 0.39 in 2024. This signifies a decreasing reliance on debt financing relative to the company's total capital. The ratio drops notably between 2020 and 2022, from 0.60 to 0.41, and then declines more modestly to 0.39 by 2024. The reduction suggests an improvement in the company's capital structure, favoring equity or other forms of capital over debt.
In summary, the company appears to have strategically reduced its debt burden relative to its capital base in the earlier years of the period while continuing to grow its overall capital significantly. Despite a slight uptick in total debt in the final two years, the increased capital base has contributed to a sustained decline in the debt to capital ratio, indicating strengthening financial stability and possibly a more conservative leverage position.
Debt to Capital (including Operating Lease Liability)
Netflix Inc., debt to capital (including operating lease liability) calculation, comparison to benchmarks
| Dec 31, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Dec 31, 2021 | Dec 31, 2020 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data (US$ in thousands) | ||||||
| Short-term debt | 1,784,453) | 399,844) | —) | 699,823) | 499,878) | |
| Long-term debt | 13,798,351) | 14,143,417) | 14,353,076) | 14,693,072) | 15,809,095) | |
| Total debt | 15,582,804) | 14,543,261) | 14,353,076) | 15,392,895) | 16,308,973) | |
| Current operating lease liabilities (included in Accrued expenses and other liabilities) | 428,482) | 383,312) | 355,985) | 315,189) | 256,222) | |
| Non-current operating lease liabilities (included in Other non-current liabilities) | 1,983,688) | 2,046,801) | 2,222,503) | 2,408,486) | 1,945,631) | |
| Total debt (including operating lease liability) | 17,994,974) | 16,973,374) | 16,931,564) | 18,116,570) | 18,510,826) | |
| Stockholders’ equity | 24,743,567) | 20,588,313) | 20,777,401) | 15,849,248) | 11,065,240) | |
| Total capital (including operating lease liability) | 42,738,541) | 37,561,687) | 37,708,965) | 33,965,818) | 29,576,066) | |
| Solvency Ratio | ||||||
| Debt to capital (including operating lease liability)1 | 0.42 | 0.45 | 0.45 | 0.53 | 0.63 | |
| Benchmarks | ||||||
| Debt to Capital (including Operating Lease Liability), Competitors2 | ||||||
| Alphabet Inc. | 0.09 | 0.10 | 0.10 | 0.10 | 0.11 | |
| Comcast Corp. | 0.55 | 0.56 | 0.56 | 0.52 | 0.55 | |
| Meta Platforms Inc. | 0.21 | 0.20 | 0.18 | 0.10 | 0.08 | |
| Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. | 0.38 | 0.28 | 0.06 | 0.05 | 0.07 | |
| Walt Disney Co. | 0.33 | 0.34 | 0.35 | 0.40 | 0.43 | |
| Debt to Capital (including Operating Lease Liability), Sector | ||||||
| Media & Entertainment | 0.26 | 0.27 | 0.28 | 0.28 | 0.30 | |
| Debt to Capital (including Operating Lease Liability), Industry | ||||||
| Communication Services | 0.41 | 0.43 | 0.44 | 0.44 | 0.44 | |
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).
1 2024 Calculation
Debt to capital (including operating lease liability) = Total debt (including operating lease liability) ÷ Total capital (including operating lease liability)
= 17,994,974 ÷ 42,738,541 = 0.42
2 Click competitor name to see calculations.
The financial data over the five-year period reveals several notable trends concerning debt levels, capital structure, and leverage ratios.
- Total Debt (including operating lease liability)
- The total debt decreased from approximately $18.5 billion in 2020 to around $16.9 billion in 2022, indicating a reduction in debt obligations over these years. However, from 2022 onwards, total debt showed a reversal in trend with a slight increase, reaching nearly $18 billion by the end of 2024. This suggests a cautious approach to debt management after initial deleveraging.
- Total Capital (including operating lease liability)
- The total capital base has demonstrated consistent growth throughout the period. It expanded from nearly $29.6 billion in 2020 to over $42.7 billion by the end of 2024. This steady increase indicates the company’s ability to raise or retain capital, enhancing its funding capacity and potentially supporting expansion or investment activities.
- Debt to Capital Ratio (including operating lease liability)
- The debt to capital ratio has shown a continuous decline from 0.63 in 2020 to 0.42 in 2024. This decreasing leverage ratio reflects a shift toward a more conservative capital structure, with a smaller proportion of debt relative to total capital. It suggests an improving financial risk profile and increased reliance on equity or other non-debt financing sources during the observed period.
Overall, the company appears to be successfully managing its debt burden while simultaneously expanding its capital base. The decline in the debt to capital ratio over time indicates a strategic emphasis on reducing leverage and strengthening financial stability.
Debt to Assets
Netflix Inc., debt to assets calculation, comparison to benchmarks
| Dec 31, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Dec 31, 2021 | Dec 31, 2020 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data (US$ in thousands) | ||||||
| Short-term debt | 1,784,453) | 399,844) | —) | 699,823) | 499,878) | |
| Long-term debt | 13,798,351) | 14,143,417) | 14,353,076) | 14,693,072) | 15,809,095) | |
| Total debt | 15,582,804) | 14,543,261) | 14,353,076) | 15,392,895) | 16,308,973) | |
| Total assets | 53,630,374) | 48,731,992) | 48,594,768) | 44,584,663) | 39,280,359) | |
| Solvency Ratio | ||||||
| Debt to assets1 | 0.29 | 0.30 | 0.30 | 0.35 | 0.42 | |
| Benchmarks | ||||||
| Debt to Assets, Competitors2 | ||||||
| Alphabet Inc. | 0.04 | 0.04 | 0.04 | 0.04 | 0.05 | |
| Comcast Corp. | 0.37 | 0.37 | 0.37 | 0.34 | 0.38 | |
| Meta Platforms Inc. | 0.11 | 0.08 | 0.06 | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. | 0.25 | 0.19 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Walt Disney Co. | 0.23 | 0.23 | 0.24 | 0.27 | 0.29 | |
| Debt to Assets, Sector | ||||||
| Media & Entertainment | 0.17 | 0.17 | 0.17 | 0.17 | 0.19 | |
| Debt to Assets, Industry | ||||||
| Communication Services | 0.25 | 0.26 | 0.26 | 0.27 | 0.27 | |
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).
1 2024 Calculation
Debt to assets = Total debt ÷ Total assets
= 15,582,804 ÷ 53,630,374 = 0.29
2 Click competitor name to see calculations.
- Total Debt
- The total debt exhibited a declining trend from 2020 through 2022, decreasing from approximately $16.3 billion to $14.4 billion. In 2023, this trend slightly reversed, with total debt increasing to about $14.5 billion, followed by a more notable rise in 2024 to approximately $15.6 billion. Despite the recent increases, the overall debt level in 2024 remains below that recorded in 2020.
- Total Assets
- Total assets showed consistent growth throughout the period under review. Starting from roughly $39.3 billion in 2020, assets increased steadily each year, reaching about $53.6 billion by the end of 2024. This represents a significant increase in the asset base, reflecting likely investments or growth in asset value over time.
- Debt to Assets Ratio
- The debt to assets ratio demonstrated a clear and steady downward trend over the five-year span. The ratio declined from 0.42 in 2020 to 0.29 in 2024, indicating an improvement in the capital structure with a relatively lower proportion of debt financing compared to assets. This suggests a strengthening of the balance sheet and potentially reduced financial risk associated with debt levels.
Overall, the data indicate that while total debt initially decreased and then slightly increased towards the end of the period, the company managed to grow its asset base consistently. Concurrently, the debt to assets ratio's steady decline highlights a positive shift toward less reliance on debt relative to assets, enhancing financial stability.
Debt to Assets (including Operating Lease Liability)
Netflix Inc., debt to assets (including operating lease liability) calculation, comparison to benchmarks
| Dec 31, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Dec 31, 2021 | Dec 31, 2020 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data (US$ in thousands) | ||||||
| Short-term debt | 1,784,453) | 399,844) | —) | 699,823) | 499,878) | |
| Long-term debt | 13,798,351) | 14,143,417) | 14,353,076) | 14,693,072) | 15,809,095) | |
| Total debt | 15,582,804) | 14,543,261) | 14,353,076) | 15,392,895) | 16,308,973) | |
| Current operating lease liabilities (included in Accrued expenses and other liabilities) | 428,482) | 383,312) | 355,985) | 315,189) | 256,222) | |
| Non-current operating lease liabilities (included in Other non-current liabilities) | 1,983,688) | 2,046,801) | 2,222,503) | 2,408,486) | 1,945,631) | |
| Total debt (including operating lease liability) | 17,994,974) | 16,973,374) | 16,931,564) | 18,116,570) | 18,510,826) | |
| Total assets | 53,630,374) | 48,731,992) | 48,594,768) | 44,584,663) | 39,280,359) | |
| Solvency Ratio | ||||||
| Debt to assets (including operating lease liability)1 | 0.34 | 0.35 | 0.35 | 0.41 | 0.47 | |
| Benchmarks | ||||||
| Debt to Assets (including Operating Lease Liability), Competitors2 | ||||||
| Alphabet Inc. | 0.07 | 0.07 | 0.08 | 0.08 | 0.09 | |
| Comcast Corp. | 0.40 | 0.39 | 0.39 | 0.37 | 0.40 | |
| Meta Platforms Inc. | 0.18 | 0.17 | 0.15 | 0.09 | 0.07 | |
| Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. | 0.29 | 0.22 | 0.04 | 0.03 | 0.04 | |
| Walt Disney Co. | 0.25 | 0.25 | 0.26 | 0.29 | 0.31 | |
| Debt to Assets (including Operating Lease Liability), Sector | ||||||
| Media & Entertainment | 0.20 | 0.21 | 0.21 | 0.21 | 0.23 | |
| Debt to Assets (including Operating Lease Liability), Industry | ||||||
| Communication Services | 0.30 | 0.32 | 0.33 | 0.32 | 0.33 | |
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).
1 2024 Calculation
Debt to assets (including operating lease liability) = Total debt (including operating lease liability) ÷ Total assets
= 17,994,974 ÷ 53,630,374 = 0.34
2 Click competitor name to see calculations.
The analysis of the financial data over the five-year period reveals several notable trends in the company’s financial position, particularly concerning debt levels, asset growth, and leverage ratios.
- Total Debt (including operating lease liability)
- The total debt decreased from approximately 18.51 billion USD in 2020 to about 16.93 billion USD in 2022, indicating a reduction in the company’s total liabilities during this interval. However, from 2022 onwards, total debt slightly increased, reaching nearly 18.0 billion USD by the end of 2024. This suggests a strategic adjustment where the company initially paid down debt but then moderately increased its leverage again in recent years.
- Total Assets
- There was a consistent increase in total assets throughout the period, rising from roughly 39.28 billion USD in 2020 to over 53.63 billion USD in 2024. This steady growth in assets indicates ongoing investment or accumulation of resources which may enhance operational capacity or value generation potential. The asset base expanded by over 36% across these five years, signaling asset growth outpacing debt adjustments.
- Debt to Assets Ratio (including operating lease liability)
- The debt-to-assets ratio shows a declining trend from 0.47 in 2020 to 0.34 in 2024. This reduction illustrates an improvement in the company's leverage position, meaning a smaller proportion of the company’s assets are financed with debt over time. The ratio’s decline is mainly attributable to the combination of decreasing total debt in the early years and significant asset growth overall. This trend suggests enhanced financial stability and potentially a stronger credit profile.
In summary, the data indicate that the company has strengthened its financial structure by increasing asset holdings while managing to reduce the relative amount of debt financing. Even though debt levels experienced a modest rise near the end of the period, the overall debt burden relative to assets continued to decline, reinforcing the trend toward lower financial risk and improved solvency.
Financial Leverage
Netflix Inc., financial leverage calculation, comparison to benchmarks
| Dec 31, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Dec 31, 2021 | Dec 31, 2020 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data (US$ in thousands) | ||||||
| Total assets | 53,630,374) | 48,731,992) | 48,594,768) | 44,584,663) | 39,280,359) | |
| Stockholders’ equity | 24,743,567) | 20,588,313) | 20,777,401) | 15,849,248) | 11,065,240) | |
| Solvency Ratio | ||||||
| Financial leverage1 | 2.17 | 2.37 | 2.34 | 2.81 | 3.55 | |
| Benchmarks | ||||||
| Financial Leverage, Competitors2 | ||||||
| Alphabet Inc. | 1.39 | 1.42 | 1.43 | 1.43 | 1.44 | |
| Comcast Corp. | 3.11 | 3.20 | 3.18 | 2.87 | 3.03 | |
| Meta Platforms Inc. | 1.51 | 1.50 | 1.48 | 1.33 | 1.24 | |
| Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. | 2.16 | 1.75 | 1.72 | 1.81 | 1.95 | |
| Walt Disney Co. | 1.95 | 2.07 | 2.14 | 2.30 | 2.41 | |
| Financial Leverage, Sector | ||||||
| Media & Entertainment | 1.73 | 1.80 | 1.83 | 1.82 | 1.85 | |
| Financial Leverage, Industry | ||||||
| Communication Services | 2.27 | 2.38 | 2.45 | 2.43 | 2.45 | |
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).
1 2024 Calculation
Financial leverage = Total assets ÷ Stockholders’ equity
= 53,630,374 ÷ 24,743,567 = 2.17
2 Click competitor name to see calculations.
- Total assets
- The total assets have exhibited a consistent upward trend from 39.28 billion US dollars in 2020 to 53.63 billion US dollars in 2024. This shows steady growth in asset base over the five-year period, with the largest increase occurring between 2023 and 2024.
- Stockholders’ equity
- Stockholders’ equity has increased markedly each year, rising from 11.07 billion US dollars in 2020 to 24.74 billion US dollars in 2024. This nearly doubling over five years indicates a strengthening equity position and possibly retained earnings growth or new equity injections.
- Financial leverage
- The financial leverage ratio has shown a steady decline from 3.55 in 2020 to 2.17 in 2024, suggesting a reduction in debt relative to equity. This decreasing leverage trend indicates improved financial stability and potentially less reliance on borrowed funds over time.
Interest Coverage
Netflix Inc., interest coverage calculation, comparison to benchmarks
| Dec 31, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Dec 31, 2021 | Dec 31, 2020 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data (US$ in thousands) | ||||||
| Net income | 8,711,631) | 5,407,990) | 4,491,924) | 5,116,228) | 2,761,395) | |
| Add: Income tax expense | 1,254,026) | 797,415) | 772,005) | 723,875) | 437,954) | |
| Add: Interest expense | 718,733) | 699,826) | 706,212) | 765,620) | 767,499) | |
| Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) | 10,684,390) | 6,905,231) | 5,970,141) | 6,605,723) | 3,966,848) | |
| Solvency Ratio | ||||||
| Interest coverage1 | 14.87 | 9.87 | 8.45 | 8.63 | 5.17 | |
| Benchmarks | ||||||
| Interest Coverage, Competitors2 | ||||||
| Alphabet Inc. | 448.07 | 279.30 | 200.80 | 263.24 | 357.16 | |
| Comcast Corp. | 5.52 | 6.01 | 3.38 | 5.46 | 4.07 | |
| Meta Platforms Inc. | 99.83 | 107.34 | 164.74 | 3,153.27 | 2,371.00 | |
| Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. | -25.34 | -9.32 | 25.98 | 110.20 | 174.85 | |
| Walt Disney Co. | 4.66 | 3.42 | 4.41 | 2.66 | -0.06 | |
| Interest Coverage, Sector | ||||||
| Media & Entertainment | 28.71 | 22.36 | 18.97 | 24.88 | 14.59 | |
| Interest Coverage, Industry | ||||||
| Communication Services | 12.15 | 10.10 | 8.52 | 11.93 | 6.53 | |
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).
1 2024 Calculation
Interest coverage = EBIT ÷ Interest expense
= 10,684,390 ÷ 718,733 = 14.87
2 Click competitor name to see calculations.
- Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT)
- The earnings before interest and tax exhibited a generally upward trajectory from 2020 to 2024. Starting at approximately 3.97 billion US dollars in 2020, EBIT increased significantly to about 6.61 billion US dollars in 2021. Although there was a slight decline in 2022 to nearly 5.97 billion US dollars, the figure rebounded in 2023 to 6.91 billion US dollars and surged further to approximately 10.68 billion US dollars in 2024. This pattern indicates overall growth with a temporary dip in 2022.
- Interest expense
- Interest expense remained relatively stable over the five-year period, fluctuating marginally between approximately 699.8 million and 767.5 million US dollars. The expense was highest in 2020 at about 767.5 million and slightly decreased in subsequent years, reaching the lowest recorded value of approximately 699.8 million in 2023, before edging up slightly to 718.7 million in 2024. This stability suggests controlled interest costs despite fluctuations in earnings.
- Interest coverage ratio
- The interest coverage ratio displayed a clear improving trend throughout the period. Beginning at 5.17 in 2020, it increased substantially to 8.63 in 2021. The ratio remained relatively stable in 2022 at 8.45 before rising further to 9.87 in 2023 and reaching a high of 14.87 in 2024. This improvement indicates enhanced ability to meet interest obligations with operating earnings, reflecting strengthening financial health and reduced risk.
Fixed Charge Coverage
Netflix Inc., fixed charge coverage calculation, comparison to benchmarks
| Dec 31, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Dec 31, 2021 | Dec 31, 2020 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data (US$ in thousands) | ||||||
| Net income | 8,711,631) | 5,407,990) | 4,491,924) | 5,116,228) | 2,761,395) | |
| Add: Income tax expense | 1,254,026) | 797,415) | 772,005) | 723,875) | 437,954) | |
| Add: Interest expense | 718,733) | 699,826) | 706,212) | 765,620) | 767,499) | |
| Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) | 10,684,390) | 6,905,231) | 5,970,141) | 6,605,723) | 3,966,848) | |
| Add: Operating lease costs | 665,973) | 638,678) | 608,428) | 542,570) | 440,511) | |
| Earnings before fixed charges and tax | 11,350,363) | 7,543,909) | 6,578,569) | 7,148,293) | 4,407,359) | |
| Interest expense | 718,733) | 699,826) | 706,212) | 765,620) | 767,499) | |
| Operating lease costs | 665,973) | 638,678) | 608,428) | 542,570) | 440,511) | |
| Fixed charges | 1,384,706) | 1,338,504) | 1,314,640) | 1,308,190) | 1,208,010) | |
| Solvency Ratio | ||||||
| Fixed charge coverage1 | 8.20 | 5.64 | 5.00 | 5.46 | 3.65 | |
| Benchmarks | ||||||
| Fixed Charge Coverage, Competitors2 | ||||||
| Alphabet Inc. | 34.54 | 24.36 | 22.90 | 30.80 | 21.02 | |
| Comcast Corp. | 4.50 | 4.87 | 2.82 | 4.48 | 3.47 | |
| Meta Platforms Inc. | 23.99 | 19.69 | 15.18 | 31.41 | 24.62 | |
| Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. | -15.75 | -4.59 | 8.17 | 16.58 | 15.32 | |
| Walt Disney Co. | 3.53 | 2.71 | 3.25 | 2.07 | 0.32 | |
| Fixed Charge Coverage, Sector | ||||||
| Media & Entertainment | 14.45 | 11.29 | 9.54 | 13.02 | 8.32 | |
| Fixed Charge Coverage, Industry | ||||||
| Communication Services | 6.56 | 5.42 | 4.32 | 6.04 | 3.78 | |
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).
1 2024 Calculation
Fixed charge coverage = Earnings before fixed charges and tax ÷ Fixed charges
= 11,350,363 ÷ 1,384,706 = 8.20
2 Click competitor name to see calculations.
- Earnings before fixed charges and tax
- The earnings before fixed charges and tax demonstrate a sustained growth trend over the analyzed period. Starting at approximately 4.41 billion US dollars in 2020, the figure nearly doubled by 2021, reaching approximately 7.15 billion. Although a slight decline is observed in 2022 to around 6.58 billion, earnings recovered and increased steadily in subsequent years, reaching approximately 7.54 billion in 2023 and surging to over 11.35 billion by 2024.
- Fixed charges
- Fixed charges exhibit a gradual and steady increase from 2020 to 2024. Beginning at around 1.21 billion US dollars in 2020, the expenses increased incrementally each year, culminating in approximately 1.38 billion in 2024. This reflects a consistent upward trend, but at a much slower pace compared to earnings before fixed charges and tax.
- Fixed charge coverage ratio
- The fixed charge coverage ratio indicates a notable strengthening of the company's ability to cover fixed charges with earnings. Starting at 3.65 in 2020, this ratio improved significantly to 5.46 in 2021. Despite a slight reduction to 5.00 in 2022, the coverage ratio increased again to 5.64 in 2023 and rose markedly to 8.20 by 2024. This upward trend underscores an enhanced financial resilience and an improved buffer in meeting fixed financial obligations.
- Overall Analysis
- The data reveals growing profitability and improving financial stability over the five-year span. Earnings have generally increased robustly, outpacing the growth in fixed charges, which has led to a substantial improvement in coverage ratios. This suggests enhanced operational performance and stronger capacity to meet fixed financial commitments. The slight dip in earnings in 2022 followed by recovery indicates some volatility but not a sustained negative impact on financial health.