Core Insights - Meta is reportedly considering significant budget cuts of up to 30% for its Metaverse division, which may also involve layoffs [1][2] - The potential cuts reflect a broader lack of consumer and industry interest in Meta's virtual reality products, including Horizon Worlds and its VR hardware [2] - Since the company's rebranding in 2021, investors have expressed skepticism regarding the financial viability of its Metaverse investments, which are currently resulting in billions of dollars in losses each quarter [3] Financial Performance - Meta's Metaverse projects are losing billions of dollars quarterly, raising concerns among investors about the sustainability of these investments [3] - Despite the negative outlook on the Metaverse division, Meta's shares experienced a rise following the news of potential budget cuts [3] Market Sentiment - There is a growing investor concern regarding the allocation of resources to Metaverse projects, while the company's initiatives in AI and smart glasses have shown more promise [3]

Core Viewpoint - Analysts have been reducing their price targets for Meta Platforms, with an average decrease of 14% since early April, primarily due to concerns over new tariff policies impacting the business [1][2]. Price Target and Analyst Ratings - Despite the lowered price targets, analysts maintain a Buy or Overweight rating for Meta, indicating a potential upside of over 23% compared to the stock's closing price on April 14 [2]. - The current price target averages $690.79, suggesting a 35.75% upside from the current price of $508.86 [10]. Impact of Tariffs - Tariffs have a limited direct impact on Meta, as the majority of its revenue comes from advertising, which is not tariff-affected. However, costs related to virtual reality hardware and data center buildouts could be negatively impacted [3][4]. - The indirect effects of tariffs may be more damaging, as increased costs for companies could lead to reduced advertising budgets, directly affecting Meta's revenue [5]. Specific Advertising Revenue Concerns - Meta derives significant advertising revenue from platforms like Temu and Shein, which may face increased costs due to the removal of the de minimis exemption, leading to a potential decrease in their advertising spend [6][7]. - Analysts estimate that Temu and Shein contribute 2% to 4% of Meta's overall ad revenue, with 11% of Meta's Family of Apps revenue coming from Chinese companies in 2024 [7][8]. Competitive Positioning - Meta may outperform other advertising platforms during periods of reduced spending, as advertisers are less likely to cut budgets for Meta and Google Search, which are seen as effective platforms for ad spending [9]. - Meta captured 21.3% of total ad spending, significantly higher than YouTube's 5.6%, indicating a strong preference among marketers for Meta's advertising effectiveness [11].