Netflix is raising its prices again, and the news sent the company's stock up 6.5 percent Tuesday. Netflix's cheapest basic plan will cost $9, up from $8; its most popular HD standard plan will cost $13, up from $11; and its 4K premium plan will cost $16, up from $14. The rate hikes constitute a jump of between 13 and 18 percent — the company's biggest increase since launching its streaming service 12 years ago — and will take effect immediately for new customers. Existing subscribers will see the price increase on their bills over the next three months. Customers in Latin American, the Caribbean and some other countries will also see the higher rates. Major international markets like Mexico and Brazil won't be affected.

Netflix was the best performing of the so-called FAANG stocks last year, gaining nearly 40 percent in 2018 and outpacing Facebook, Amazon, Apple and Google's parent Alphabet. Netflix has already gained 30 percent in the first few weeks of 2019. Separately Tuesday, analysts at Goldman Sachs projected a strong earnings update from Netflix when it reports fourth-quarter results on Thursday. The firm is projecting a 20 percent upside for the company's stock. Disclosure: Comcast, which owns CNBC parent NBCUniversal, is a co-owner of Hulu. — The Associated Press contributed to this report.