Meta Platforms is primed for a big quarter with ads, AI push

A rebound in advertising, the threat of regulation and the specter of AI are the overriding narrative themes when Meta Platforms Inc. reports its fourth-quarter results on Thursday. Analysts are okay with that. “Firing on All Cylinders,” Jefferies analyst Brent Thill said in a note Sunday, jacking his price target on Meta META, -1.31% shares to $455 from $425. “Our recent digital ad checks have been the most positive we’ve seen in severalyears.” In raising his price target to $435 from $390, Seaport Rese ...