Netflix Inc (NASDAQ:NFLX) stands on the cusp of releasing its fourth-quarter earnings, with many analysts anticipating a robust report propelled by growth in live sports streaming and advertising revenue. This expected performance may contrast with recent stock transactions by members of Congress, who offloaded Netflix shares just before these likely positive developments.
Two congressmen publicly disclosed selling Netflix stock in December, according to government trade filings. Representative Gil Cisneros (D-Calif.) reported selling Netflix shares valued between $1,000 and $15,000 on December 10. Interestingly, this followed his earlier stock purchases on October 17 and November 18, 2025. Meanwhile, Representative Jonathan Jackson (D-Ill.) sold between $50,000 and $100,000 of Netflix stock on December 8, after having acquired shares on April 16.
Reviewing the share prices during these trades reveals potential missed opportunities. When Rep. Cisneros bought shares, Netflix reached intra-day highs of $115.25 and $120.31 on November 18 and October 17, respectively. However, by his sell date in December, the stock peaked at $96.97, indicating a decline since his purchases. Similar dynamics applied to Rep. Jackson. The stock's high was $98.12 on the day he bought shares in April, whereas on his December sale, it hit $99.89. These figures suggest that both congressmen may have realized lower returns or possibly losses on their Netflix holdings.
Meanwhile, other Congressional activity contrasted with these sales; at least one member has been consistently purchasing Netflix shares over recent months, indicating differing perspectives within government circles on the stock's prospects.
Looking ahead, the stock's performance stands to be influenced by several notable factors. Netflix featured two National Football League (NFL) games on Christmas Day, events that substantially increased viewer engagement. One game, featuring the Detroit Lions against the Minnesota Vikings, set a new U.S. streaming record for the NFL by averaging 27.5 million viewers. The other matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Commanders attracted an average of 19.9 million U.S. viewers.
These sporting events drew global attention as well, with audiences across more than 200 countries tuning in at some point. Adding to the appeal, a halftime show during the Lions-Vikings game starring Snoop Dogg captivated an average of 29 million viewers, amplifying Netflix's reach and engagement during this period.
Additionally, Netflix released the penultimate and final segments of the fifth season of its popular series "Stranger Things" on December 25 and December 31, respectively. This season concluded the show, which set new internal viewership benchmarks for Netflix. The fifth season has become the streamer’s sixth most-watched English-language season overall, and ranks fourth by total hours viewed, reflecting its significant audience pull.
These factors precede Netflix’s scheduled fourth-quarter earnings release on January 20. The quarter includes the impact of the NFL viewership and the "Stranger Things" finale, both expected to materially influence results. Analysts surveyed by Benzinga Pro anticipate earnings per share of 55 cents and revenue of $11.97 billion, compared to 43 cents and $10.25 billion in the prior-year quarter respectively, indicating optimistic growth prospects.
Netflix’s stock has historically performed well in January, partly due to strong holiday quarter earnings announcements. Over the past two decades, shares have appreciated an average of 14.7% during January, with positive returns 71% of the time. Notable recent January gains include 20% in 2023, 15.9% in 2024, and 9.6% in 2025, underscoring the month’s significance for investor returns.
The recent stock sales by Representatives Cisneros and Jackson, occurring ahead of these pivotal events and earnings, raise questions about timing. Whether these members of Congress exited too soon or strategically managed their portfolios remains to be seen as the market reacts to forthcoming data and sector developments.
As of the latest close, Netflix’s stock price was $90.32, within a 52-week range of $82.11 to $134.12, marking a 7.5% gain over the last year. The stock’s performance will now be closely watched in the context of streaming market dynamics, content-driven growth, and advertising expansion.
Investors and analysts alike are likely to scrutinize the upcoming earnings release, assessing how Netflix balances content investments with subscriber growth and revenue diversification. The company's ability to leverage live sports and flagship series finales could set the tone for its trajectory in an increasingly competitive streaming market.