As the Q3 earnings cycle gains momentum, investors have their eyes peeled for big hitters in the market, particularly Tesla (TSLA) and Netflix (NFLX).
Both set to report this Wednesday, October 18, after the market closes.
In a market buoyed by positive sentiment but tinged with uncertainty, how are these tech giants expected to perform?
Netflix: Membership Additions in Focus
In a year where Netflix shares surged by approximately 20%, eclipsing the S&P 500's 15% gain, all eyes are on the streaming giant's subscriber additions, a key performance metric.
The Consensus Estimate for Paid Net Membership additions for the current quarter is a robust 5.8 million, a significant improvement over last year's 2.4 million.
Netflix has benefitted from its crackdown on password sharing, witnessing a substantial uptick in subscriptions.
"Password sharing was a Trojan horse that's finally been tamed," says Amy Yong, an analyst at Macquarie.
Financial Outlook The company expects a revenue of $8.5 billion, a 7% YoY growth, with management optimistically forecasting an acceleration into Q4.
The Consensus EPS Estimate is $3.47, up by 1% over the past few months, representing a 12% YoY growth.
Tesla: Will Production Slump Affect Earnings?
Tesla, too, has had its share of highs and lows this year. Despite a 100% YoY gain in its stock price, it reported a dip in vehicle production to 430,000 for Q3.
The Future Looks Electric, But Uncertain Investors will be keenly eyeing how recent price cuts in EVs will impact Tesla’s margins and top-line numbers.
"Tesla's price adjustments can either spell an inventory issue or strategic pricing. Either way, it's pivotal for investors," notes Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas.
Financial Outlook
The consensus EPS estimate stands at $0.73, a decline of 7.6% over the past few months, translating to a 30% YoY fall. Revenue estimates are $24.4 billion, a 13% YoY increase.
Bottom Line: Investor Sentiment and Strategies
Investors will be closely tracking subscriber growth for Netflix and pricing strategies for Tesla. For those new to online stock trading, navigating this labyrinth can be daunting but not insurmountable.
"Consensus and earnings estimates mentioned in this article are sourced from Zacks Investment Research."
Your 5-Step Guide to Online Stock Trading
Here’s how to get started on your journey:
Shortlist Preferred Online Brokerage: Compare fees, trading tools, and assets offered.
Open a Trading Account: Follow the sign-up procedures of your chosen platform.
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Placing the Order
Now that you've selected a stock, it's time to make the move. Placing an order is where the rubber meets the road.
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Quantity: Determine the number of shares you want to trade. Make sure this aligns with your risk management strategy.
Review: Before confirming, double-check all the details. An erroneous click can cost you dearly.
Execute: Hit the 'Buy' or 'Sell' button to open your trade. Most modern trading platforms will provide a confirmation screen, summarising the details of the trade.
Monitoring and Next Steps
Once your order is executed, it's vital to monitor its performance. Use the metrics and indicators on your trading platform to keep an eye on how the stock is doing.
Set Stop-Loss/Take-Profit: Consider setting these levels to automatically close your trade at a pre-determined loss or profit point. This can be crucial for risk management.
Adjust Strategy: As the market moves, you may need to adjust your strategy. Keep an eye out for news or trends that may affect your stock.
Tesla and Netflix's Q3 Earnings
Both Tesla and Netflix are poised at interesting junctures in their corporate timelines.
As you make your foray into investing or look to enhance your portfolio, remember, the financial markets are ever-evolving, and constant education is key to success.
As finance expert Warren Buffett rightly said, "The stock market is designed to transfer money from the Active to the Patient."
So, continually refine your trading strategies and manage your risks judiciously.
Call to Action If you found this analysis helpful, consider sharing it with your network or engaging in a discussion below. How do you plan to navigate this earnings season?
Index
YoY: Year-over-Year
EPS: Earnings Per Share
Consensus Estimate: A pooled analysis of different analysts' predictions on a company's performance
CFDs: Contracts-for-Difference, a financial instrument allowing for leveraged trading
MetaTrader 4/5: Trading platforms for forex, CFDs, and other financial markets
Risk Disclaimer: As with all investments, your capital is at risk. Investments can fall and rise, and you may get back less than you invested.