NFLX vs SKYD — which stock performed better?

Netflix (NFLX) versus Skydance (SKYD), Communication Services, on 2026-10-21.

Result

Skydance (SKYD) performed better on 2026-10-21. NFLX moved 1.390%, SKYD moved 11.630%.

Why these two companies

Netflix reports Q3 earnings after the market close on Tuesday, October 20, a pivotal test for a stock down roughly 40% over the past year, with the reaction unfolding across the Wednesday, October 21 session. Its newest and biggest rival is Skydance, the roughly $80 billion combination of Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery that closed on October 6 after Netflix itself walked away from its own bid for WBD. Pitting the pure-play streaming leader against the freshly merged, heavily indebted media giant it almost bought captures two very different bets in entertainment right as one of them delivers its verdict.

The research

Netflix is the world's biggest video streaming service, producing and licensing shows and movies that people watch through a monthly subscription app. Skydance is a brand-new combined media company, created when Paramount and Skydance bought Warner Bros. Discovery, bringing together HBO, CNN, Paramount+ and CBS all under one roof.

One reason to consider Netflix: it is releasing its latest quarterly results right as this matchup begins, and its ad-supported plan and international subscriber base have kept growing steadily. One reason to consider Skydance: its stock has already fallen a lot since the merger closed, and some investors think the bad news is priced in, leaving room for a rebound if the newly combined company runs smoothly.

Something to keep in mind about Netflix: its share price has dropped significantly over the past year, so a results day can swing the stock hard in either direction. Something to keep in mind about Skydance: it took on a large amount of debt to complete its merger, which can make its stock more sensitive to any bad news about costs or integration problems.