ToplineRoughly $25 billion was cut from Mark Zuckerberg’s net worth as Meta shares dropped by more than 10% on Thursday, pacing what would be the company’s largest single-day loss this year after a tax charge lowered Meta’s quarterly earnings well below Wall Street’s forecasts. Earnings fell significantly below Wall Street’s expectations, though Meta said it would have exceeded projections before the tax charge.Zuffa LLC via Getty ImagesKey FactsShares of Meta fell 12.3% to around $658.50 after the bell ran ...

ToplineMeta shares dropped by more than 12% as trading opened Thursday, pacing what would be the company’s largest single-day loss in years after a nearly $16 billion tax charge lowered its quarterly earnings well below Wall Street’s forecasts. Earnings fell significantly below Wall Street’s expectations, though Meta said it would have exceeded projections before the tax charge.Getty ImagesKey FactsShares of Meta fell 12.3% to around $658.50 after the bell rang Thursday morning, the largest intraday loss fo ...

Core Insights - Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META) is being closely monitored by Wall Street as it continues to innovate in the XR space, particularly with its smart glasses, although significant revenue generation is not expected from this product [1][2] - The company's Family of Apps boasts an impressive 3.4 billion daily active users as of March 2025, which supports its advertising business [2] - Meta's recent fiscal first-quarter results exceeded expectations, driven by strong revenue growth and improved operating margins, leading to a rise in share prices during the quarter [2] Group 1 - Meta's smart glasses are seen as a low-volume, thought-provoking product that may not significantly impact revenue or profits [1][2] - The Reality Labs division focuses on next-generation augmented and virtual reality hardware, contributing to Meta's overall innovation strategy [2] - The company has introduced AI-powered ad-delivery tools that enhance pricing and campaign performance, alongside new revenue initiatives like ads in WhatsApp [2] Group 2 - Meta's strong financial position is highlighted by a cash-rich balance sheet and the introduction of a quarterly dividend [2] - Management has provided guidance for fiscal second-quarter revenue that exceeds consensus estimates while also reducing full-year expense guidance [2] - There is a belief among some analysts that other AI stocks may offer better investment returns compared to Meta, despite its potential [2]

Industry Overview - Virtual Reality (VR) has become one of the fastest-growing technologies, transforming various industries including gaming, healthcare, training, and cultural preservation [1] - The VR gaming segment reached a market value of approximately $17.96 billion in 2023, with a projected growth rate of 30.4% CAGR through 2032 [2] - North America holds over a third of the global VR market share, with major technology firms investing heavily in software and hardware to enhance accessibility and interactivity [2] Healthcare Applications - VR adoption is increasing in the healthcare sector, where it is used for training medical professionals through immersive simulations and improving patient treatment experiences [3] - The trend of using VR in healthcare is expected to accelerate as the benefits of training and treatment become more evident [3] Cultural and Sports Innovations - VR is being utilized in cultural contexts, such as allowing users to experience historical sites like Sednaya Prison in Syria through augmented reality [4] - In sports, Premier League club Burnley is using VR to provide fans with a "virtual seat" experience at Turf Moor, enhancing the match-day experience for global supporters [4] Investment Opportunities - A list of the 13 Best Virtual Reality Stocks to Buy has been compiled based on hedge fund interest, indicating strong market confidence in these companies [5][7] - The methodology for selecting these stocks involved using the Finviz stock screener and considering the number of hedge funds holding stakes in each stock as of Q2 2025 [7][8] Company Highlights - Snap Inc. (NYSE:SNAP) is highlighted as a top VR stock, with 35 hedge fund holders and positive feedback from marketers regarding its platform performance [9][10] - Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY) is also featured, with 44 hedge fund holders and a recent partnership with Uber Technologies to deliver electronics, including VR headsets, through the Uber Eats platform [12][13][14]

Investment Rating - The report assigns a Neutral investment rating for Goertek [1][17][18] Core Insights - Goertek is recognized as the global leading assembler for VR headsets, with expectations of a year-over-year revenue decline in 2025, followed by growth resuming in 2026 due to anticipated market share growth for new AirPods [11][17] - The revenue and earnings compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) are projected at 6% and 18% respectively for the period from 2024 to 2027, driven more by improved cost structure than top-line growth [11][17] - The earnings contribution from AR/AI glass is expected to be limited [11][17] Financial Estimates - Adjusted EPS for FY25 is revised down from Rmb0.95 to Rmb0.89, and for FY26 from Rmb1.11 to Rmb1.08 [2] - Quarterly forecasts for FY25 show Q1 at Rmb0.13, Q2 at Rmb0.16, Q3 at Rmb0.33, and Q4 at Rmb0.26, leading to an annual adjusted EPS of Rmb0.89 [3] - Revenue estimates for FY25 are adjusted to Rmb94,474 million, down from Rmb99,125 million, reflecting a 5% decrease [15] Valuation - The price target for June 2026 is set at Rmb22.50, based on a 19x one-year forward P/E, aligning with the average of peers [12][18] - The current market cap is approximately $9,959 million, with a share price of Rmb20.83 as of April 22, 2025 [10] Performance Metrics - Year-to-date performance shows a decline of 19.3%, with a 12-month performance increase of 39.8% [10] - The adjusted net income for FY25 is projected at Rmb3,090 million, with a net margin of 3.3% [21]

Core Viewpoint - Meta Platforms' stock is rising despite a bearish market, indicating investor confidence in the company's future prospects, particularly in virtual reality (VR) initiatives [1][2]. Group 1: Stock Performance - Meta's share price increased by 1.1% while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite indices fell by 0.4% and 0.6%, respectively, showcasing resilience in its stock performance [1]. Group 2: Commitment to VR - Meta's commitment to virtual reality is underscored by its funding of over 100 VR and mixed-reality games last year and an additional 200 games currently in development [3]. - Monthly usage of Meta's VR headsets has seen a 30% annual increase, reflecting growing consumer engagement with its VR products [3]. Group 3: Market Context and Challenges - Despite a 12% decline in total global VR headset shipments from all sellers last year, Meta continues to push for mass adoption of VR, augmented reality (AR), and the metaverse, indicating a long-term vision despite short-term challenges [3][4]. - The company has shifted its growth focus towards artificial intelligence (AI), which may impact its VR investments [4]. Group 4: Future Potential - Investors remain hopeful as Meta's ongoing investments in VR, AR, and the metaverse could position the company as a major beneficiary if these technologies gain widespread acceptance [5].