Core Insights - Meta Platforms Inc. is experiencing steady user growth, particularly in the Asia Pacific region, driven by increased engagement across its platforms like Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger, and Facebook [1] - The company's AI-driven platform is enhancing ad delivery efficiency, leading to a significant increase in advertising revenues [1][3] Business Performance - In Q4 2024, Meta's earnings surpassed estimates, with family daily active people (DAP) reaching 3.35 billion, exceeding the average estimate of 3.33 billion [2] - Average Revenue Per Person (ARPP) was reported at $14.25, above the estimate of $13.85, while advertising revenues hit $46.78 billion, a 20.9% year-over-year increase [3] AI and Technology Advancements - Meta is leveraging AI to enhance user experience across its platforms, with generative AI tools being utilized by 4 million advertisers, up from 1 million six months ago [5][7] - The company plans to invest $60-$65 billion in AI infrastructure in 2025, an increase from the previously expected $50 billion [8] Future Projections - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Q1 2025 indicates revenues of $41.44 billion, a 13.7% year-over-year improvement, and earnings per share (EPS) of $5.61, reflecting a 19.1% increase [9] - The estimates for 2026 show potential increases of 13.3% for revenues and 13.2% for EPS [11] Valuation Metrics - Meta's forward P/E ratio stands at 27.63X, lower than the industry average of 29.86X and the S&P 500's 18.88X [12] - The company has a return on equity of 38.17%, significantly higher than the industry average of -0.62% [12] Stock Performance - Year-to-date, Meta's stock price has increased by 22.2%, outperforming the S&P 500's 4.5% gain and the Nasdaq Composite's 3.9% [15] - The current short-term average price target for Meta shares suggests a potential upside of 30.5% from the last closing price of $716.37 [13]

Core Viewpoint - Meta Platforms experienced a decline in stock price after a significant increase, attributed to various factors including market reactions and company developments [1][2]. Group 1: Stock Performance - Since Donald Trump's election on November 5, Meta's stock has risen over 25%, nearing a market cap of approximately $1.8 trillion [2]. - The stock fell by 2.8% today, despite no clear reason for the decline [1]. Group 2: Financial Performance - Meta's fourth-quarter earnings exceeded consensus estimates, with the AI chatbot gaining 100 million monthly active users, totaling 700 million [3]. - CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced plans for a substantial investment of $60 billion to $65 billion in AI [3]. Group 3: Strategic Initiatives - Meta plans to construct an underwater cable over 50,000 kilometers long, named Project Waterworth, to enhance global digital infrastructure and AI capabilities, representing a multibillion-dollar investment [4]. Group 4: Market Sentiment - The largest pension fund in the Netherlands divested all shares in Meta and Alphabet, citing a misalignment with investment principles, though this was not linked to Trump's election [5]. - Despite concerns over high valuations in the AI sector, Meta is considered one of the more attractive options among the "Magnificent Seven" stocks based on forward earnings [6].

Group 1: Stock Performance - Meta stock has experienced a remarkable rally, achieving 20 consecutive days of gains in February, with only five losing sessions this year [2] - The stock has risen 25.8% year-to-date, reaching a record high of $736.67, which is a 600% increase from its low in fall 2022 [3] Group 2: Investment in AI - Meta plans to invest between $60 billion and $65 billion in AI infrastructure to enhance its competitive position against rivals like Microsoft and Alphabet [4] - The company is focusing on AI-powered humanoid robots and anticipates that its Llama 4 model will be widely adopted this year [5] - Meta aims to acquire 1.3 million graphics processing units by the end of the year to support its AI development [6] Group 3: User Base and Growth Potential - Meta has over 3.3 billion loyal users across its platforms, providing a significant competitive advantage and a strong foundation for future stock performance [7] - Analysts have raised the average short-term price target for Meta stock to $743.55, with the highest target set at $935, indicating a potential upside of 26.9% [8] Group 4: Dividend Information - Meta offers a dividend yield of 0.27%, with a payout ratio of 8% of earnings, reflecting its commitment to returning value to shareholders [9][10]

Core Points - Facebook announced a change in its live video storage policy, reducing the storage duration from indefinite to 30 days [1] - Users will receive notifications about the deletion of live videos older than 30 days and will have 90 days to decide on their old content [2] - The company aims to align its storage policies with industry standards and enhance live video experiences [3] Storage Policy Changes - All live videos older than 30 days will be removed from the platform, with users notified beforehand [2] - Users can defer deletion for an additional six months if they need more time to download their videos [4] - New download tools will be introduced to assist users in retaining their old live videos [4] User Options - Users can bulk download their live videos or transfer them to cloud storage providers like Dropbox or Google Drive [5] - There is an option to convert favorite moments from live videos into reels, promoting the use of reels on the platform [5] Competitive Landscape - Twitch stores past broadcasts for 60 days for partners and affiliates, and 14 days for regular streamers, while YouTube stores broadcasts indefinitely [3]

Core Insights - Meta Platforms (META) has reached an all-time high stock price after a 20-day consecutive rise, with a year-to-date increase of 25.8% and a remarkable 600% rise from its 2022 lows, making it the top performer among the "Magnificent Seven" tech stocks this year [1] Investment Opportunities - Investors are encouraged to consider ETFs with significant allocations to Meta, including iShares Global Comm Services ETF (IXP), Fidelity MSCI Communication Services Index ETF (FCOM), Vanguard Communication Services ETF (VOX), Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLC), and First Trust Dow Jones Internet Index Fund (FDN) [2] Factors Driving Outperformance - Meta plans to invest $60-$65 billion in AI infrastructure by 2025, aiming to develop a highly intelligent AI assistant that will reach over 1 billion users [2] - The company is also expanding into AI-powered humanoid robots through a new team in its Reality Labs division [2] - Discussions are underway for Meta to acquire South Korean chip startup FuriosaAI to enhance its AI hardware capabilities and reduce reliance on NVIDIA [3] - Meta's advertising business remains strong, ranking second globally in digital advertising revenues, just behind Alphabet [4] Analyst Sentiment - Wall Street analysts have a positive outlook on Meta, with an average recommendation score of 1.37 (on a scale of 1 to 5), where 83.33% of recommendations are Strong Buy [5] - The average price target for Meta is $738.08, with estimates ranging from $505.00 to $900.00 [5] Valuation - Meta is currently trading at 27.63X forward earnings, which is below the Zacks Internet-Software industry average of 29.86X, indicating it is one of the cheaper options among large tech stocks [6] ETF Details - **iShares Global Comm Services ETF (IXP)**: Holds 66 stocks with Meta at 24.9% share, $439.3 million in assets, and an expense ratio of 0.41% [7] - **Fidelity MSCI Communication Services Index ETF (FCOM)**: Contains 109 stocks with Meta at 24.7% share, $1.5 billion in assets, and charges 8 bps in fees [8] - **Vanguard Communication Services ETF (VOX)**: Comprises 117 stocks with Meta at 22.6% share, $4.9 billion in assets, and charges 9 bps in fees [9] - **Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLC)**: Holds 22 stocks with Meta at 21.4% share, $22.4 billion in assets, and charges 8 bps in fees [10] - **First Trust Dow Jones Internet Index Fund (FDN)**: Includes about 40 stocks with Meta at 11.3% share, $7.4 billion in assets, and charges 51 bps in fees [11]

Meta on Tuesday announced that it’ll host its first-ever dev conference dedicated to generative AI. Called LlamaCon after Meta’s Llama family of generative AI models, the conference is scheduled to take place on April 29. Meta said that it plans to share “the latest on [its] open source AI developments to help developers […] build amazing apps and products.” Additional details will be made available soon, said Meta. The company’s annual developer conference, Meta Connect, will be held later in the year, in ...

This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Digital giants like Meta have recently muscled in to the world of subsea cables. Facebook and Instagram parent company Meta has said it will lay an undersea cable stretching across five continents to carry data, including for developing artificial intelligence. The cable will run for more than 50,000 kilometres (31,000 miles) ...

Meta plans a multibillion-dollar global underwater cable project spanning 31,000 miles.The project will ramp up data transmission and connect the US to India, Brazil, and South Africa.Meta says it aims to improve global connectivity and support innovation in artificial intelligence.Meta has unveiled plans to spend billions of dollars as part of its multi-year ambition to build the world's longest subsea cable and accelerate AI innovation. In a blog post on Friday, the company said its new Waterworth Project ...

Meta is rumored to be eyeing a deal that could further separate the company from Nvidia.One artificial intelligence (AI) stock that got off to a scorching start this year is social media juggernaut Meta Platforms (META 1.11%). Just a couple of weeks ago, Meta's leadership told investors that 2025 is going to be a jam-packed year as the company seeks to continue moving aggressively on its AI roadmap.To be specific, Meta is preparing to spend up to $65 billion in AI infrastructure this year -- representing a ...

Though not the most-discussed artificial intelligence (AI) stock of the bull market, Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META) has been an exceptionally reliable performer with the upside, especially visible in the more recent months.As things stand, META shares are changing hands at $735.40 after rising 55.89% in the last 52 weeks, 38.25% in the last six months, and 25.60% since 2025 started.META stock YTD price chart. Source: FinboldThe successes in the stock market and on the business side also led to Mark Zuckerber ...