Meta Platforms(US:META) 247Wallst·2025-12-31 12:00Core Viewpoint - Meta Platforms Inc. has shown resilience in its stock performance despite initial concerns over AI capital expenditures, with a year-to-date gain of 11.14% and a recent recovery of 12.82% since its low on November 19 [1] Financial Performance - In Q3, Meta reported revenue of $51.24 billion, exceeding analysts' expectations by 26.2%, and adjusted EPS of $7.25, surpassing expectations by 20.2%. However, GAAP EPS of $1.05 fell 82.6% short of expectations [2] - Year-over-year sales growth for Q3 was 26%, marking the highest revenue growth since Q1 FY 2024 [2] - From 2014 to 2024, Meta's revenue increased by 1,196.16% from $12.466 billion to over $164 billion, while net income rose from $2.940 billion to over $62.36 billion [5] Strategic Initiatives - Meta has authorized a $50 billion stock buyback and initiated a dividend program, currently yielding 0.33%, equating to $2.08 per share annually [3] - The company is heavily investing in artificial intelligence, with expectations of significant capital expenditure growth in 2025 to support AI research and product development [8] - Meta aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2030, with 100% of its global operations supported by renewable energy since 2020 [8] Cash Flow and Efficiency - Meta recorded a record free cash flow (FCF) of $43 billion in 2023, up from $21 billion in 2019, indicating a nearly 105% increase in cash position [9] - FCF for 2024 is projected at $52.1 billion, reflecting the company's focus on efficiency and bottom-line results [9] Stock Price Predictions - The median one-year price target for Meta is $828.71, representing a potential upside of 24.42% from the current share price, with a consensus "Strong Buy" rating from analysts [10] - 24/7 Wall St. forecasts a one-year price target of $935.29, indicating a potential upside of 40.43% [10] - By the end of the decade, the stock price is expected to reach $1,216.82, representing an 82.70% potential upside [12]