Netflix, known for its top-notch streaming service, has become a household name worldwide. It all started in 1997 as a DVD rental business, which later transformed into the online streaming giant we know today. Headquartered in Los Gatos, California, Netflix has grown to be one of the biggest media and streaming companies globally.
By January 2024, Netflix boasted an impressive 260.28 million paid memberships across 190 countries. Its original productions have taken the world by storm, especially in the United States, where they are among the most-watched shows.
In addition to its streaming service, Netflix has expanded into mobile gaming through video game publishing. The company also owns several other companies, including Spryfox, Animal Logic, Roku, Night School Studio, and Millarworld.
If you’re wondering who owns Netflix stock, we’ve compiled a list of the 10 largest shareholders, both individual and institutional investors. Let’s dive in to find out more.
Here are the key points about Netflix’s shareholders:
- Netflix is a well-known streaming and media company worldwide.
- As of February 2024, it had around 441,537,000 outstanding shares, which are held by a mix of institutional and insider shareholders.
- The largest insider shareholders of Netflix are Reed Hastings and Leslie J. Kilgore.
- The company’s largest institutional shareholders are the Vanguard Group and BlackRock.
- Netflix has only one stock class, Stock A, which grants one vote per share.
An Analysis of Netflix’s Shareholders
As of February 2024, Netflix had 441,537,000 shares outstanding, which was less than competitors like Amazon, Warner Bros Discovery, and Walt Disney, but more than others such as AMC Networks.
At that time, Netflix had a market capitalization of about $242.91 billion, with its share price trading around $558.5. The company has only one share class, Stock A, with each share having one vote. It has undergone two stock splits: a 2:1 split on February 12, 2004, and a 7:1 split on July 15, 2015.
Netflix does not currently pay a dividend. As of February 14, 2024, Netflix (NFLX) stock has appreciated by 47,851% since its initial public offering, according to split-adjusted data.
Note that past performance is not indicative of future results.
Who Owns Netflix Stock? NFLX’s Top 10 Owners
When it comes to owning Netflix stock, the ownership is spread among various major institutional holders and asset managers like the Vanguard Group and BlackRock. Additionally, insiders such as co-founder Reed Hastings and top management members also hold significant shares.
As of February 12, 2024, there were approximately 2,868 institutions holding Netflix shares, accounting for about 84.65% of outstanding shares, according to Yahoo Finance. Insiders held about 1.38% of outstanding shares.
Here are the top 5 institutional shareholders of Netflix:
- The Vanguard Group – The Vanguard Group, headquartered in Malvern, Pennsylvania, is one of Netflix’s largest shareholders. As of September 29, 2023, they owned 36,260,284 shares, valued at about $20.25 billion, representing 8.38% of outstanding shares. The company was founded in 1975 by John C. Bogle and is known for offering a range of asset management services, including ETFs and mutual funds.
- BlackRock – Based in New York City, BlackRock is another major owner of Netflix stock. They held approximately 29,970,188 shares as of September 29, 2023, valued at around $16.74 billion, accounting for 6.93% of outstanding shares. BlackRock was founded in 1988 and is one of the largest asset managers globally, with assets totaling about $9.42 trillion as of June 30, 2023.
- Fidelity Investments – Fidelity Investments, headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, held about 22,384,548 shares of Netflix as of September 29, 2023, worth approximately $12.50 billion. This represented about 5.17% of outstanding shares. Fidelity Investments was founded in 1946 and offers a wide range of financial services, including mutual funds, retirement services, and banking products.
- State Street Corporation – State Street Corporation owned 16,277,017 shares of Netflix as of September 29, 2023, valued at about $9.09 billion, making up approximately 3.76% of outstanding shares. Headquartered in Massachusetts, State Street Corporation is the largest custodian bank in the world, with assets under management totaling about $3.7 trillion.
- Rowe Price Associates – T. Rowe Price Associates held about 12,330,949 shares of Netflix as of September 29, 2023, valued at around $6.89 billion, representing about 2.85% of outstanding shares. Founded in 1937, T. Rowe Price Associates offers a variety of financial services, including retirement services, sub-advisory services, and mutual funds.
These institutional shareholders play a significant role in Netflix’s ownership structure and influence the company’s strategic decisions.
Here are the top 5 individual shareholders of Netflix:
- Reed Hastings – Reed Hastings, the co-founder and former CEO of Netflix, is one of the largest individual shareholders, holding about 2,991,541 shares as of February 1, 2024. He is known for shaping Netflix’s unique culture, which includes innovative policies like no set vacation or sick time for employees. Hastings founded Pure Software in 1991 before launching Netflix.
- Leslie J. Kilgore – Leslie J. Kilgore, a member of Netflix’s audit committee, held 35,196 shares as of August 26, 2020. She served as Netflix’s Chief Marketing Officer from 2000 to 2012 and has also held positions at Amazon and Procter & Gamble. Kilgore has a B.S. from The Wharton School of Business and an M.B.A. from Stanford University.
- David A. Hyman – David A. Hyman, Netflix’s Chief Legal Officer, owned approximately 31,610 shares as of January 24, 2024. He joined Netflix in 2002 and oversees all public policy and legal matters for the company. Hyman has a Bachelor’s and JD degrees from the University of Virginia.
- Gregory K. Peters – Gregory K. Peters, Netflix’s co-CEO, held about 13,090 shares as of January 26, 2024. Peters joined Netflix in 2008 and became co-CEO in January 2023. He has held various roles at Netflix, including Chief Product Officer and Chief Operating Officer. Peters is also on DoorDash’s board.
- Bradford L. Smith – Bradford L. Smith, a director at Netflix since March 2015, owned 6,499 shares as of August 8, 2019. Smith is also the Vice Chair and President at Microsoft, overseeing critical areas like privacy, security, and digital inclusion. He holds a B.A. from Princeton University and a J.D. from Columbia University School of Law.
- Bonus: Rick Kimball – Rick Kimball, a technology investor and venture capitalist, owned about 29,624,252 shares of Netflix as of January 26, 2004. Kimball is known for funding several notable companies through his company, Technology Crossover Ventures, and has been a director at firms such as Intel and J.P. Morgan Chase.
Final Words
Netflix stands out as one of the largest and most renowned streaming companies globally. As of February 12, 2024, it boasts approximately 441,537,000 outstanding shares, trading at about $558.5 per share and commanding a market capitalization of about $242.91 billion.
The company operates with a single stock class, Stock A, offering one vote per share. Among its notable investors are key figures from the upper management and founders, including Reed Hastings and Leslie Kilgore, who are part of the insider investors group.
Institutional investors, on the other hand, include major asset managers like the Vanguard Group, BlackRock, and State Street Corporation, indicating strong external confidence in Netflix’s future.
Frequently Asked Questions about Netflix
Who owns Netflix now?
Netflix is currently owned by a mix of insiders, including co-founder Reed Hastings and Chief Legal Officer David Hyman, as well as major asset management companies like BlackRock and the Vanguard Group.
Is Netflix a public company?
Yes, Netflix is a public company. It debuted on Nasdaq on May 29, 2002, selling about 5.5 million common stock shares at approximately $15 per share.
When did Netflix start streaming?
Netflix began streaming in 2007 and is now available in over 190 countries, offering a wide range of TV shows, movies, and games. Its largest user bases are in the United States, Brazil, and the United Kingdom.
When was Netflix founded?
Netflix was founded in 1997 as a mail-based DVD rental service. It transitioned into an online streaming service in 2017 and later ventured into the video gaming industry.
How many Netflix shares are there?
As of February 2024, Netflix had about 441,537,000 outstanding shares. The company has one stock class, Stock A, where each share gets one vote.
Who owns Netflix shares?
Insiders like Reed Hastings and major asset management groups like the Vanguard Group are among the largest shareholders of Netflix.
How many shareholders does Netflix have?
As of February 12, 2024, Netflix has approximately 2,868 institutional investors as shareholders, along with a few insider investors like co-CEO Gregory K. Parker, co-founder Reed Hastings, and members of the top management team.
