If you had to browse through the 15,000 available DVD titles from Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX) to sum up its first two publicly traded years, would you go with It's a Wonderful Life or Some Like It Hot? It's hard to argue with the company's success. It is a thriving online renter of films with profitability and 1.5 million loyal customers.
Netflix closed out its December quarter by posting market-topping earnings of $0.07 a share on an 80% surge in revenue. Back out the company's stock-based compensation and it would have earned $0.19 a share.
The good times should continue to roll in 2004 as Netflix looks to close out the year with as many as 2.5 million monthly subscribers. It is now guiding investors to expect earnings to come in between $0.75 and $1.10 a share this year. Absent stock-based compensation, the profits would have been at least $2 a stub. Granted, you will have to shave those numbers in half next month after the company splits its stock 2-for-1.
While margins dipped as the company beefed up its content library and acquisition costs inched higher as it launched televised ad campaigns, the quarter was encouraging. Top-line growth accelerated in the fourth quarter relative to the year as a whole. Monthly subscriber churn fell. In other words, despite the emergence of competitors such as Wal-Mart (NYSE:WMT) and Blockbuster (NYSE:BBI), more people are sticking with Netflix.
Subscribers to TMF Select (now Motley Fool Hidden Gems) may recall the stock profiled in the November 2002 issue. It proved to be a good call, with the stock trading at $10.90 at the time. It's been a six-bagger since. The Legend of Bagger Vance? The Color of Money? I don't know. I'm myself a bit partial to Tango & Cash as a fitting title.
Rent any worthwhile movies lately? Any Oscar hopefuls that can't miss? With 15,000 titles, just how long would it take to go through Netflix's entire content library? All this and more -- in the Great Movies discussion board. Only on Fool.com.
