Meta Stock Jumps. Zuckerberg Touts 'Major AI Acceleration' As Sales Forecast Wows.

Core Insights - Meta Platforms reported fourth-quarter earnings that surpassed expectations, with earnings of $8.88 per share, reflecting an 11% increase year-over-year [1] - The company forecasted its strongest sales growth since 2021, indicating positive momentum in its business operations [1] - Investors reacted positively to the results, overlooking the anticipated rise in costs associated with CEO Mark Zuckerberg's AI initiatives [1] Financial Performance - Meta's earnings per share for the December-ended quarter were $8.88, which is an 11% increase compared to the previous year [1] - The company is expected to experience its strongest sales growth since 2021, signaling a robust recovery and growth trajectory [1] Market Reaction - Following the earnings report, Meta's stock experienced a significant rally, contributing to a positive sentiment in the market despite mixed performances from other tech stocks like Microsoft [1] - The overall market showed fluctuations, with the Dow Jones index wavering as Meta and Tesla stocks rallied in premarket trading [1]