Netflix vs. Disney: which media stock will dominate swing trades in 2025?

The battle between Netflix (NFLX) and Disney (DIS) for streaming supremacy continues to shape the media landscape in 2025. Both companies offer unique strengths, but for swing traders looking to capitalize on short- to medium-term price movements, the key question is: Which stock presents the better trading opportunity this year?

We’ll analyze fundamentals, technical setups, upcoming catalysts, and valuation to determine whether NFLX or DIS is the superior swing trade.

Netflix vs. Disney: recent performance and market positioning

Netflix (NFLX): the streaming juggernaut

✅ Subscriber dominance: Netflix added 18.91 million paid subscribers in Q4 2024, its largest quarterly gain ever, bringing its total to 301.63 million.
✅ Strong financials: Revenue grew 16% YoY, operating income surged 52%, and free cash flow hit $7 billion in 2024.
✅ Content powerhouse: Hits like Squid Game S2, Stranger Things S5, and live events (e.g., Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson) keep engagement high.
⚠️ Valuation concerns: Much of Netflix’s growth is already priced in, with a forward P/S ratio of 8.68X, making it expensive compared to Disney.

Disney (DIS): the diversified entertainment giant

✅ Streaming growth: Disney+ (including Hulu) has 178 million subscribers, with ESPN integration adding sports appeal.
✅ Box office and franchise power: Disney was the first studio to cross $5B in 2024 box office revenue (Deadpool & Wolverine, Moana 2).
✅ Theme parks and merchandising: Resilient parks business and expansions (e.g., Disneyland’s 70th anniversary) provide stability.
⚠️ Streaming profitability struggles: While growing, Disney+ still lags Netflix in margins, though cost-cutting efforts are underway.

Swing trading takeaway:

• NFLX has strong momentum but a high valuation, which is better for trend-following trades.
• DIS is cheaper (P/S 1.57X) with multiple catalysts – better for event-driven swings.

Netflix vs. Disney: key catalysts for swing trades

Netflix (NFLX) catalysts

📌 Q4 Earnings and subscriber growth – Any beat/miss could trigger volatility.
📌 Ad-tier expansion – Advertising revenue expected to double in 2025.
📌 Live sports and major releases – Wednesday S2, Stranger Things S5, and more live events.

Disney (DIS) catalysts

📌 ESPN standalone launch – A major pivot that could attract sports bettors.
📌 Blockbuster movie slate – Captain America 4, Fantastic Four, Avatar 3.
📌 Cost-cutting progress – The stock could rally if Disney shows improved streaming profitability.

Which has more swing potential?

• NFLX offers steady, predictable moves around earnings and content releases.
• DIS has higher volatility potential due to multiple business segments and event risks.

Netflix vs. Disney: valuation and risk factors

Risks:

• NFLX: Competition from Amazon/Apple, subscriber saturation.
• DIS: Streaming losses, box office flops, macroeconomic pressures.

Final verdict: which stock should swing traders pick?

✅ Choose Netflix (NFLX) if:

• You prefer stable trends and earnings-driven trades.
• You’re comfortable with higher valuations but cleaner setups.

✅ Choose Disney (DIS) if:

• You want cheaper valuation and multiple catalysts (ESPN, movies, parks).
• You can handle higher volatility for bigger potential gains.

Best for conservative swing traders → Netflix (NFLX)

Best for aggressive swing traders → Disney (DIS)

Bottom line:

• NFLX is the safer, more predictable play.
• DIS offers higher upside if the catalysts align.

Top FX brokers

If you’re looking to swing trade NFLX and DIS, choosing the right broker is crucial. Below, we compare five top FX/CFD brokers that offer these stocks with competitive fees, strong platforms, and reliable execution.

XM Group

✅ Low minimum deposit ($5)
✅ Strong regulation (CySEC, ASIC, FSC)
✅ No requotes, fast execution

Exness

✅ Ultra-tight spreads
✅ No commissions on stock CFDs
✅ Best for scalpers and short-term traders

eToro

✅ Social trading features
✅ Fractional shares (good for small accounts)
✅ Beginner-friendly

Risk disclaimer: eToro is a multi-asset platform which offers both investing in stocks and cryptoassets, as well as trading CFDs.

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 51% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

This communication is intended for information and educational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice or investment recommendation. Past performance is not an indication of future results.

Copy Trading does not amount to investment advice. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.

Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong. Take 2 mins to learn more.

eToro USA LLC does not offer CFDs and makes no representation and assumes no liability as to the accuracy or completeness of the content of this publication, which has been prepared by our partner utilizing publicly available non-entity specific information about eToro.

BlackBull Markets

✅ True ECN pricing
✅ Best for active traders and algo strategies

AvaTrade

✅ Trusted global broker
✅ Wide asset selection

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