Back to top

Image: Bigstock

Roku Trades at a P/CF of 42.86X: Should You Still Buy the Stock?

Read MoreHide Full Article

Key Takeaways

  • ROKU is trading at 42.86X cash flow, above the industry average of 34.28X, reflecting a premium valuation.
  • Subscription growth, Apple and Amazon deals, and AI-powered features are boosting ROKU's engagement.
  • ROKU holds $2.26B in cash with no long-term debt, supporting innovation and meeting working capital needs.

Roku (ROKU - Free Report) shares are trading at a premium, as suggested by a Value Score of D. In terms of the price-to-cash flow ratio, ROKU is currently trading at 42.86X, above the Zacks  Broadcast Radio and Television industry average of 34.28X.

As of March 31, 2025, Roku generated $310.1 million in operating cash flow over the trailing twelve months, highlighting strong cash generating ability. We believe Roku’s growing scale across U.S. households and its expanding programmatic ad capabilities justify the premium valuation. The company is benefiting from both performance-driven advertising solutions and a differentiated content discovery experience. Do these factors make ROKU stock a compelling buy at current levels? Let’s find out.

ROKU’s Price/Cash Flow Ratio

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

ROKU’s Initiatives and Partnerships Drive Subscriptions

Roku is ramping up its subscription efforts by enhancing the Roku Experience with personalized features like an AI-powered content row that promotes premium titles, free trials and bundles. A seamless billing system and rising streaming demand have been helping Roku build tens of millions of billed subscriptions each month.

In the first quarter of 2025, Roku acquired Frndly TV, adding more than 50 live and on-demand channels, and partnered with Apple TV+ to offer Season 1 of Severance for free, along with a three-month trial. These moves aim to drive engagement and boost conversions, with more initiatives expected this year.

ROKU Expands Offering With Roku Select Series TVs

Roku has launched its first Roku-made TVs in Canada, available exclusively at Best Buy. The new Roku Select Series includes QLED 4K models from 50" to 75" and smaller 4K and HD variants, all powered by the intuitive Roku OS. With features like Smart Picture, Bluetooth headphone support, a built-in remote finder and access to 200-plus live TV channels, the TVs are built to enhance the streaming experience for Canadian users.

This launch marks a strategic step forward for Roku, allowing it to control both the hardware and software experience, which can significantly deepen user engagement. By expanding its Roku-made TV line into Canada, the company strengthens its international presence and creates a more direct channel to grow its advertising business and drive subscriptions.

ROKU’s Efforts to Stay Competitive in the Ad Market

Roku competes in a crowded ad-supported streaming market alongside giants like Netflix (NFLX - Free Report) , Paramount Global (PARA - Free Report) and Disney (DIS - Free Report) . As of May, Netflix had 94 million users on its ad-supported tier, up from 70 million in November. Paramount+, the streaming service of Paramount Global, is expanding its basic ad tier to Germany, Switzerland and Austria, while Disney’s ad-supported user base hit 157 million globally in January 2025, including 112 million in the United States.

To stay competitive, Roku is doubling down on ad-supported streaming through tech upgrades and strategic alliances. Its new partnership with Amazon Ads via Amazon DSP expands reach across Roku and Fire TV, helping advertisers tap into a large base of authenticated viewers. Early results showed 40% more unique reach with the same budget. Combined with Roku’s AI-powered Home Screen and partnerships with Adobe and INCRMNTAL, these efforts are driving stronger monetization and reinforcing Roku’s momentum in ad-supported streaming.

ROKU’s Earnings Estimate Revisions Show Upward Trend

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 loss is pinned at 18 cents per share, which has narrowed by a penny over the past 30 days, indicating growth of 79.78% from the figure reported in the year-ago quarter.

The consensus mark for 2025 total revenues is pegged at $4.55 billion, suggesting year-over-year growth of 10.63%. 

Roku’s earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 51.15%.

Roku, Inc. Price and Consensus

Roku, Inc. Price and Consensus

Roku, Inc. price-consensus-chart | Roku, Inc. Quote

ROKU’s Share Price Movement

ROKU shares have risen 22.2% year to date, underperforming the Zacks Broadcast Radio and Television industry’s growth of 30.9% but outperforming the Zacks Consumer Discretionary sector’s return of 10.3%. 

The company is constantly innovating across its platform and building strategic partnerships that have positively impacted investor sentiment. Roku has a strong liquidity position that allows it to innovate and grow, and meet its working capital requirements. As of March 31, 2025, cash and cash equivalents were $2.26 billion compared with $2.16 billion as of Dec. 31, 2024, and Roku had no long-term debt which further solidifies Roku’s cash balance. 

If we look at its competitors, Netflix, Paramount Global and Disney shares have gained 40.3%, 24% and 7.6%, respectively, in the same time frame.

ROKU’s YTD Price Performance

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Conclusion: Time to Buy ROKU Stock?

Given Roku’s expanding subscription base, strategic hardware growth and rising momentum in ad-supported streaming, the company is well-positioned for long-term success. Its partnerships with major players like Amazon and Apple, coupled with tech-driven innovations and a solid balance sheet, reinforce its growth potential. Despite trading at a premium, Roku’s ability to consistently beat earnings estimates justifies the valuation. With strong fundamentals, zero long-term debt and upward revisions in earnings, investors should consider buying ROKU stock as it continues to strengthen its platform and unlock new monetization avenues.

ROKU currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and has a Growth Score of A, a favorable combination that offers a strong investment opportunity, per the Zacks proprietary methodology. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Published in