Netflix Stock Today (NASDAQ: NFLX) Rises to $76.87 as $82.7B Warner Bros Deal Enters Final Bidding Window
Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX) shares climbed to $76.87, gaining +1.01 (+1.33%) at the close, with pre-market trading at $77.36 (+0.64%), as Wall Street reacts to a dramatic new twist in the Warner Bros. Discovery takeover saga.
The streaming giant has granted Warner Bros. Discovery a seven-day waiver, allowing it to reopen negotiations with Paramount Skydance before shareholders vote on Netflix’s proposed acquisition scheduled for March 20. The waiver period expires on February 23, setting up what could be the final round in one of the media industry’s biggest bidding wars.
Inside the $82.7 Billion Merger Battle
Netflix is pursuing a transformative acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery valued at approximately $82.7 billion. In December, Netflix agreed to purchase Warner Bros.’ movie studio and HBO streaming assets for $27.75 per share, excluding certain cable television operations such as CNN and TNT.
Paramount Skydance countered with a higher proposal of $30 per share for the full company, reportedly indicating willingness to go up to $31 per share. Paramount also offered to cover Warner Bros.’ breakup fee with Netflix, financing costs, and provide billions in backing, including support linked to Oracle founder Larry Ellison.
Despite reopening discussions, Warner Bros.’ board has unanimously recommended shareholders support the Netflix transaction, citing stronger regulatory visibility and downside protection.
Stock Market Reaction
Warner Bros. Discovery shares advanced roughly 2.5% to 28.68 early Tuesday, moving back toward technical resistance near the 30 level. Paramount Skydance jumped around 3.5%, even as the stock remains down nearly 50% from its late September high of 20.86.
Netflix stock rose nearly 1% Tuesday. However, shares remain under pressure longer term, falling more than 40% over the past seven months and roughly 23% since the Warner Bros. acquisition was first announced on December 5.
Why NFLX Is Moving Today
According to Yahoo Finance data, Netflix gained approximately 0.73% on renewed merger optimism, even as the broader market softened. The Communication Services sector dipped about 0.2%, while the S&P 500 slipped roughly 0.39%, highlighting Netflix’s relative strength during the session.
The waiver signals that Netflix is confident in its proposal but willing to allow Warner Bros. to demonstrate that Paramount cannot deliver a superior, binding offer before the shareholder vote.
Insider Selling Activity Raises Eyebrows
Recent filings show 5 insider stock sales totaling $2,996,938.53 across 36,175 shares between February 9–10. The largest transaction came from Co-CEO Gregory K. Peters, who sold 14,719 shares worth $1,217,864.78.
Other executives included Cletus R. Willems, who sold 3,136 shares for $259,253.12, and David A. Hyman, who sold 5,727 shares valued at $464,231.19. The average transaction value was approximately $599,387.71.
All filings were marked as routine dispositions with no anomalies flagged.
Valuation Reset Could Support Upside
Netflix’s valuation metrics have notably compressed. Its price-to-earnings ratio declined from 55.63x in Q2 2025 to 36.18x in Q4 2025. Analysts maintain optimism, with price targets reaching as high as $151, implying substantial upside from the current level.
For detailed earnings insights, investors can review Netflix’s most recent quarterly filing via the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Regulatory Risk Remains
The proposed Netflix-WBD merger is under review in the U.S., U.K., and EU, raising potential antitrust concerns. However, Warner Bros. leadership emphasized confidence in achieving regulatory approval, calling the transaction structure protective for shareholders.
With the Feb. 23 waiver deadline approaching and the March 20 shareholder vote looming, Netflix stock is likely to remain highly sensitive to headline developments in the bidding war.
You May Also Like
Stock Market Today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq Futures React to AI Disruption Fears
