Meta Q1 Results Beat Expectations, Easing Concerns About Tariff-Tossed Economy's Threat To Big Tech

Core Insights - Meta Platforms reported a 16% year-over-year revenue increase, reaching $42.3 billion, exceeding expectations and boosting shares by 4% in after-hours trading [1][2] - Earnings per share were $6.43, significantly higher than the consensus estimate of $5.22, with revenue expectations set at $41.4 billion [2] - Daily active users across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp grew by 6% compared to the previous year [2] Industry Context - Meta is among the first tech giants to report earnings amid global economic turbulence, with mixed results from other companies like Alphabet, Spotify, and Snap Inc. indicating uncertainty in operations for the upcoming quarters [3] - The earnings release occurs during a sensitive period for Meta, as the Federal Trade Commission has filed an antitrust lawsuit seeking to separate Instagram and WhatsApp from the company [4]