'Compute' 22, 'metaverse' 0: The words Meta execs did and didn't say on its earnings

Core Insights - The term "metaverse" was notably absent from Meta's recent earnings call, indicating a shift in focus away from this previously emphasized area [1] - Despite the omission in the earnings call, Meta's CTO reassured employees that the metaverse remains a companywide priority, highlighting ongoing efforts in this domain [2] - The earnings call heavily emphasized "compute" and AI infrastructure, with significant investments planned for 2025 and 2026, reflecting a strategic pivot towards enhancing technological capabilities [3][7] Financial Performance - Meta's shares experienced a significant decline, dropping by double digits following the earnings call, suggesting investor skepticism regarding the company's direction [3] - The company incurred a $15.9 billion tax charge related to tax legislation, impacting earnings, but anticipates a lower tax rate in the coming years [9] Product Focus - Consumer hardware, particularly virtual reality products like "Quest" and smart glasses, received considerable attention during the call, indicating a continued commitment to hardware development [9] - Among social networks, Facebook was mentioned most frequently, followed by Instagram and Threads, suggesting a focus on these platforms in future strategies [8] Competitive Landscape - The earnings call did not reference competitors such as OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, or xAI, indicating a potential shift in competitive strategy or focus [10]