Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META) Maintains "Buy" Rating with Increased Price Target

Core Viewpoint - Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META) is maintaining a strong position in the digital advertising market, with Roth Capital reaffirming a "Buy" rating and raising the price target from $800 to $850 due to strong financial performance and growth potential [1][6]. Financial Performance - Meta exceeded earnings and revenue expectations in Q4, driven by robust holiday advertising demand, which has contributed to a positive outlook from Roth Capital [2][6]. - Despite significant capital expenditures for AI investments and strategic acquisitions, Meta maintains impressive free cash flow, supporting the raised price target [2]. Valuation Metrics - The stock is currently valued at 20.2 times projected earnings for fiscal year 2027, which is attractive compared to major tech competitors [3]. - A fair value target for Meta's stock is set at $826, based on an industry-standard price-to-earnings ratio of 25 times, indicating potential for growth [3]. Stock Performance - As of the latest trading session, META's stock is priced at $668.73, reflecting a slight decrease of 0.63% or $4.24, with fluctuations between a low of $667.45 and a high of $677.68 during the day [4]. - Over the past year, META's stock has ranged from a low of $479.80 to a high of $796.25, indicating significant volatility [4]. Market Capitalization and Trading Activity - Meta's market capitalization is approximately $1.69 trillion, highlighting its substantial presence in the tech industry [5]. - Today's trading volume on NASDAQ is 16,982,940 shares, reflecting active investor interest, which, combined with strong financial performance, supports the positive sentiment from Roth Capital [5].