The two stocks in Prosper Junior Bakiny’s October 5, 2026, Motley Fool article are Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX) and Intuitive Surgical (NASDAQ: ISRG). The bullish cases are different: Netflix must turn a large audience into stronger engagement and revenue, while Intuitive Surgical’s long-term opportunity depends on broader adoption of robotic surgery and successful execution of its da Vinci platform. These are the author’s investment opinions—not verified forecasts or personalized recommendations.
Why these two stocks are described as beaten down
Bakiny’s article reported that Intuitive Surgical shares had fallen about 30% during 2026 as of October 5. The article does not give a comparable decline for Netflix, so the “beaten-down” framing should not be read as evidence that both stocks fell by the same measure or over the same period. The reported share decline is a historical figure from that article, not a current quote.
The article also does not provide a matched valuation analysis, price targets, or guidance for whether either stock fits a particular investor’s goals. Its case is about possible business growth over time, not proof that either share price is attractive today.
Netflix: a large audience, with engagement still to prove
Bakiny’s Netflix thesis is that its paid-subscriber ecosystem could create room to improve engagement and monetization. Sports rights and advertising are among the possible ways to do that. The article also discusses a broader streaming hub as something management had reportedly considered, while making clear that this is not a confirmed plan and that the path is uncertain.
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What the bullish case depends on
- More compelling viewing: Netflix needs programming and experiences that keep people watching amid competition for their time.
- More ways to monetize: Sports and advertising could contribute to revenue growth if Netflix executes effectively; the article presents them as opportunities, not assured results.
- A viable role as a streaming hub: A broader hub could strengthen Netflix’s offering, but the article does not establish that Netflix will pursue or deliver one.
The main warning sign
The Motley Fool article reported that Netflix viewing hours grew 2% year over year in the first half of 2026. That is a figure reported by Bakiny, not independently verified here. The article treats weak engagement and viewing-hours growth as risks: a large subscriber base alone does not guarantee that viewers will watch more or that the company will convert attention into stronger results.
Intuitive Surgical: an installed base and an adoption opportunity
Intuitive Surgical’s da Vinci robotic-surgery systems form the center of Bakiny’s long-term thesis. The article reported an installed base of nearly 12,000 devices and said fewer than 8% of relevant soft-tissue procedures were performed robotically, attributing that adoption figure to Johnson & Johnson. These are figures reported in the Motley Fool article; they are not independently verified here.
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What the bullish case depends on
- More procedures adopting robotics: Low reported penetration suggests room to expand, but it does not establish how quickly adoption will increase or how much of that opportunity Intuitive Surgical will capture.
- Value from the installed base: A large installed base supports the article’s scale argument, but the number of devices alone does not prove future growth or profitability.
- Successful rollout of da Vinci 5: The article’s view that newer systems could eventually expand the market is a thesis, not a guaranteed outcome.
Competitive and margin risks
New robotic-surgery competitors could pressure Intuitive Surgical’s position. Bakiny also cites margin pressure partly tied to the rollout of da Vinci 5. The long-term adoption opportunity therefore depends not only on demand for robotic procedures, but also on the company’s ability to manage competition and execute the rollout without undermining operating performance.
How the two investment cases differ
| Question | Netflix | Intuitive Surgical |
|---|---|---|
| Where the growth opportunity lies | Improving engagement and monetization through areas such as sports and advertising; a broader streaming hub is only a possibility discussed in the article. | Increasing robotic adoption in relevant soft-tissue procedures and building on the da Vinci installed base. |
| What execution must deliver | More viewing and effective monetization in a competitive market. | Successful da Vinci 5 rollout and continued market development. |
| Key risks identified | Weak engagement and viewing-hours growth, plus uncertainty about the route to new monetization. | New competitors and margin pressure partly associated with the da Vinci 5 rollout. |
| Evidence cited in the article | 2% year-over-year viewing-hours growth in the first half of 2026, as reported by Bakiny. | Nearly 12,000 installed da Vinci devices and fewer than 8% of relevant procedures performed robotically, as reported by Bakiny; the latter figure is attributed to Johnson & Johnson. |
The article does not compare the stocks using the same valuation method, offer price targets, or assess suitability for individual investors. The comparison is therefore about the distinct business arguments and risks, not a conclusion that one stock is cheaper or better for every buyer.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteWhat to check before treating either as a decade-long holding
- Check current company disclosures and subsequent developments rather than treating figures reported in an October 5, 2026 article as current.
- For Netflix, assess whether engagement and monetization are improving, and whether proposed growth avenues become concrete business results.
- For Intuitive Surgical, assess adoption trends, competitive developments, and the financial effects of the da Vinci 5 rollout.
- Consider valuation, time horizon, and personal risk tolerance separately; the cited article does not provide investor-specific advice.
Bakiny wrote of Netflix, “In my view, at current levels, the stock is a buy.” That is his opinion, not a company statement or a personalized recommendation. The Motley Fool article disclosed that Bakiny held Intuitive Surgical and Johnson & Johnson; The Motley Fool disclosed positions in and recommendations of Intuitive Surgical, Medtronic, and Netflix, as well as specified Intuitive Surgical options positions.
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