Stock Market Today, Feb. 25: Netflix Jumps After Warner Bros. Bid Fuels Investor Optimism

The Motley Fool

by newsfeedback@fool.com (Howard Smith)

February 25, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Netflix’s stock surged on February 25, climbing 5.98% to close at $82.7 amid reports of a heated bidding war for Warner Bros. Discovery (NASDAQ:WBD) and growing antitrust concerns. Trading volume reached 67.5 million shares, marking a 44% increase over its three-month average. Investors are closely monitoring Netflix’s ability to navigate the complexities of its offer terms and regulatory scrutiny as it competes with Paramount Skydance (NASDAQ:PSKY) for control of Warner Bros.’ studio assets. The streaming giant, which went public in 2002 and has since seen an astonishing 69,028% growth, is at the center of a high-stakes bidding battle. Warner Bros. is now reviewing Paramount’s revised offer, potentially shifting the dynamics of the competition. Meanwhile, Netflix faces heightened antitrust oversight, adding another layer of uncertainty to its strategic moves in the streaming market. In broader financial markets, the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX:^GSPC) rose 0.82% to close at 6,947, while the Nasdaq Composite (NASDAQINDEX:^IXIC) gained 1.26% to finish at 23,152. Despite the overall market gains, other streaming peers saw weaker performance: Walt Disney (NYSE:DIS) closed at $105.06, down 0.93%, and Warner Bros. Discovery finished at $28.9, down 0.86%. This situation underscores the intense competition in the streaming industry and the growing importance of antitrust regulation in shaping its future. Netflix’s ability to secure Warner Bros.’ assets while navigating regulatory hurdles will be critical to its long-term success. The outcome of this bidding war could have significant implications for the entire sector, influencing content production, market

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Originally published on The Motley Fool on 2/25/2026