Despite Nearing a $2 Trillion Market Cap, Meta Platforms Just Missed a Golden Opportunity

Core Insights - Meta Platforms has been a strong performer among the "Magnificent Seven" stocks, achieving a 539% return over the past decade, although it is the lowest performer in this group [3][2] - The company has a robust advertising business model, with nearly 98% of its projected $201 billion in net sales coming from advertising by 2025 [8] - Meta's board missed an opportunity to enhance retail investor interest by not executing a stock split, which could have made shares more accessible [5][19] Company Performance - Meta's stock has outperformed the S&P 500 over the last three years and is currently the top-performing stock among the Magnificent Seven [3] - The company closed 2025 with $81.6 billion in cash and generated $115.8 billion in net cash from operating activities, allowing for aggressive investments in technology [10] Market Position - Meta's social media platforms attract an average of 3.58 billion daily users, providing significant advertising power and a sustainable competitive advantage [6][7] - The company is heavily investing in artificial intelligence, which is expected to enhance its advertising capabilities and improve click-through rates [9] Stock Split Discussion - Meta has never completed a stock split since its IPO in 2012, which is unusual for a company with its growth trajectory [13] - The current share price of $716.50 may be restrictive for retail investors, and 29.3% of its shares are held by non-institutional investors, indicating a potential incentive for a stock split [15][16] - A stock split could help Meta attract more retail investors and support its ambitious capital expenditure plans, which are projected to be between $115 billion and $135 billion in 2026 [20]