RBC Capital Markets Analyst Mark Mahaney joins Yahoo Finance’s Seana Smith to discuss how the coronavirus pandemic could impact Netflix as the streaming giant prepares to report earnings this month.

Video Transcript

SEANA SMITH: Mark, while we have you, I need to get your thoughts on Netflix. We're going to be getting earnings from that company in a short period of time. And I know you have said that it's one of those companies that have been able to weather the virus. You think it's a recession-resistant stock, a virus-resistant stock. There's still so much uncertainty out there just in terms of what we could expect from these companies over the next several weeks as we get into earnings season. What are you likely-- what do you think we'll see from Netflix?

MARK MAHANEY: So people are looking for them to print-- or they've guided to seven million subscribers this quarter. They're going to report on April 21. That's for the March-ending quarter. My guess is that that number's probably going to come in better than that, because I don't think too many people would have canceled their Netflix subscription in the last month. There's no live sports. You can't go out to the movie theaters. Your entertainment-- your relative entertainment options fell off. And so Netflix is even more attractive. And I think that's probably symbolized by this dramatic success they're having with the show "Tiger King."

I mean, who would have thunk it? But you know, that's one of the two most popular shows, including this great series that they have called "Ozark." but. I think that just tells you that people are looking for entertainment. There are very few alternatives out in the market, so you got-- you pretty much have to stream or broadcast TV. And without live sports, that really leaves you very few options.

So it's a real gold rush, if you will-- that's too strong of a statement. It's a benefit for Netflix. Netflix is virus resistant, but I want to be careful. I don't think it's deeply recession resistant. Look, if we're going to 10% to 20% unemployment, that hurts all of these companies. Nobody gets-- nobody is immune from a 10% to 20% unemployment market. So if we're really going there in the middle of this year, the back half of this year, people will have to cut back on expenses. They will take out that Netflix subscription. They will shop less on Amazon. So virus-resistant, yes, Netflix. Recession-resistant-- deep recession-resistant, no.

SEANA SMITH: All right, Mark Mahaney of RBC, thanks so much for joining us this afternoon.

MARK MAHANEY: Thanks, Seana.