Meta Platforms (META) Positioned for Strong Ad Market Growth Through 2026

Core Insights - Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META) is considered one of the best AI stocks to buy, with Piper Sandler reiterating an Overweight rating and a price target of $840, marking it as the firm's top large-cap selection [1] - The advertising market is expected to grow rapidly through 2026, which is favorable for Meta, with projected revenue growth of approximately 20% year-over-year in 2026 [2] - Meta's integration of AI into its platforms is enhancing user engagement and ad revenues, with a reported 5% increase in time spent on Facebook and a 30% increase on Threads due to AI advancements [3] Company Focus - Meta is concentrating on developing AI-powered social platforms and immersive technologies, including Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp [4] - The company has launched various AI technologies, such as video production, image animation, and AI-generated music, to help advertisers optimize ad creatives and improve performance [3]