Core Viewpoint - Concerns regarding reduced spending from China-based e-commerce exporters have been largely justified, impacting Meta Platforms' revenue, but the company has shown resilience and growth driven by artificial intelligence (AI) investments [1][2][14]. Financial Performance - Meta's Q1 revenue increased by 16% year over year to $42.31 billion, with earnings per share (EPS) rising 37% to $6.43, surpassing analyst expectations [5]. - Advertising revenue also grew by 16% to $41.4 billion, while Reality Labs revenue fell by 6% to $412 million [6]. Advertising Dynamics - The growth in advertising was supported by a 5% increase in ad impressions and a 10% rise in average price per ad, attributed to AI investments [7]. - AI has enhanced user engagement, leading to a 7% increase in time spent on Facebook and a 6% increase on Instagram [8]. User Base Growth - The family daily active people (DAP) metric rose by 6% year over year to 3.43 billion, exceeding analyst expectations [10]. - The new app, Threads, has grown to over 350 million monthly active users, with plans to gradually introduce ads [11]. Future Outlook - Meta forecasts Q2 revenue between $42.5 billion and $45.5 billion, reflecting growth of 9% to 16% year over year [12]. - The company has increased its full-year capital expenditures to a range of $64 billion to $72 billion, focusing on data center investments for AI [13]. Investment Perspective - Despite challenges from the U.S.-China trade war, Meta's reliance on AI for advertising revenue growth positions it favorably for long-term investment [14]. - The stock trades at a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of around 23 times based on 2025 estimates, indicating an attractive valuation [15].

Core Viewpoint - Meta is contesting a $220 million fine imposed by Nigeria for consumer data violations, threatening to shut down Facebook and Instagram in the country if the fine is enforced [2][5]. Group 1: Legal and Regulatory Context - A Nigerian tribunal rejected Meta's appeal against the $220 million fine from the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) [2]. - Meta has until the end of June to pay the fine, with the company expressing disagreement with the Nigerian Data Protection Commission's (NDPC) decision [3]. - Nigeria accused Meta of violating data protection and consumer rights laws, with investigations revealing invasive practices against consumers [4]. Group 2: Company Response and Strategy - Meta claims it may be forced to shut down its services in Nigeria to mitigate enforcement risks [2][5]. - A spokesperson for Meta stated the company is committed to user privacy and has appealed the NDPC's decision, arguing that it does not consider the tools available for users to control their information [3]. - WhatsApp, a Meta platform, criticized the FCCPC order as containing inaccuracies and is seeking to appeal the tribunal's decision [4]. Group 3: Industry Implications - The FCCPC described Meta's threat to exit Nigeria as a calculated move to induce negative public reaction and pressure the commission [6]. - The FCCPC noted that Meta has faced similar sanctions in other countries but did not threaten to exit those markets [6]. - As of March, Nigeria had approximately 164.3 million internet subscriptions, indicating a significant user base for Meta's platforms [7].

Meta Platforms TodayMETAMeta Platforms$593.83 +21.62 (+3.78%) 52-Week Range$442.65▼$740.91Dividend Yield0.35%P/E Ratio24.77Price Target$696.45Add to WatchlistShareholders in Meta Platforms NASDAQ: META, one of the renowned Magnificent Seven stocks, just got a bout of good news. Meta’s Apr. 30 earnings impressed markets, resulting in shares rising over 4% the day after. Due to Microsoft’s NASDAQ: MSFT arguably more impressive earnings, Meta can now only claim to be the second-best performer in the Mag Seven ...

Do two things to further your tech portfolio. First, click the 'Follow' button below next to my name. Second, if you want more of this two-fold analysis, step up to being a paid subscriber to my Investor Group Tech Cache with a two-week free trial and read more of this type of analysis on other tech stocks and assets.I've been bullish on Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META ) for well over a decade. Throughout the years, I stood behind its changes and remained patient during its challenges and scandals. I was an IP ...

Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ: META ) has had a busy week. Between hosting, it's first ever LlamaCon event and reporting Q1 earnings , management gave investors plenty of new data to digest. Much of it was overwhelmingly positive.Retail investor researching mostly semiconductors and fintech. Some general macro musings. My goal is to bring you timely and digestible research on the stocks that I cover.Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of META either through stock ownershi ...

Shares of Meta Platforms (META 5.19%) are rising on Thursday. The company's stock gained 4.9% as of 12:46 p.m. ET, and gained as much as 8% earlier in the day. The leg up comes as the S&P 500 (^GSPC 1.12%) gained 0.9% and the Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC 2.00%) gained 1.9%.The social media behemoth released its Q1 report after market close yesterday, beating Wall Street's already-high expectations.Another strong quarterThe Facebook parent posted Q1 2025 earnings per share (EPS) of $6.43 on $42.3 billion in sales ...

Meta Platforms (META) reported first-quarter 2025 earnings of $6.43 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 23.18%. The figure surged 36.5% year over year.Revenues of $42.31 billion beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.61% and increased 16.1% year over year. At constant currency (cc), revenues soared 19% year over year.META’s Top-Line Growth Rides on Strong User BaseRevenues from Family of Apps (99% of total revenues), which includes Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, WhatsApp and other services, ...

Key Takeaways Meta Platforms shares surge after it beats estimates for both the top and bottom lines. Earnings per share rose 37% year over year to $6.43 while revenues grew 16% to $42.3 billion. IXP, FCOM, VOX, XLC and WUGI could be exciting picks to tap Meta's growth. After the closing bell on April 30, Facebook’s parent company, Meta Platforms (META) came up with better-than-expected first-quarter 2025 results, beating estimates on both the top and bottom lines. META shares jumped 5.4% in after-market ...

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg appears at the Meta Connect event in Menlo Park, California, on Sept. 25, 2024.Meta Platforms shares jumped more than 6% Thursday after the company topped earnings expectations and showed advertising resilience in a murky macroeconomic environment."Key here is that Meta's adv. demand trends appear to be relatively healthy and while we're watching for any impacts from macro and lower spend from China-based advertisers given the de minimis change, Meta's scale of users and advertisers ...

I was bullish on Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META ) around the start of the year, and the stock performed very well, initially. Meta's stock surged by about 20% before topping out around mid-February. However, it's been mostly downhill since the momentum stockAre You Getting The Returns You Want? Invest alongside the Financial Prophet's All-Weather Portfolio (2024 69% return) and achieve optimal results in any market.The Daily Prophet Report provides crucial information before the opening bell rings each mornin ...