On Wednesday, June 12, 2024, BMO Capital updated its rating on Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META) to "Market Perform," indicating a hold action. This assessment came as the stock was trading at approximately $507.47. The revision underscores BMO Capital's concerns regarding an increasing risk of free cash flow burn at Meta Platforms. Meta Platforms, Inc., known for its significant presence in the social media and technology sector, has been a subject of financial analysis due to its dynamic market performance and strategic business decisions.
Despite BMO Capital's cautious stance, Meta Platforms has shown a modest stock price increase of approximately 1.75% since the last coverage, slightly underperforming the S&P 500 by around 3%. This performance is part of a broader narrative of growth for the company, as highlighted by an updated analysis on Seeking Alpha. The analysis, incorporating both technical and regression analysis, forecasts a promising outlook for Meta's stock price by 2027, with a significant price target of $935. This projection represents an impressive growth potential of 86.2%, attributed to key factors including Meta's expanding user base and its continuous innovation in product offerings.
In addition to its financial performance, Meta Platforms has recently announced a pivotal shift in its data use policies, specifically targeting the training of generative AI models. This strategic move to incorporate publicly shared content from European users on Instagram and Facebook into its AI training processes reflects the company's commitment to enhancing its AI features. However, this decision has sparked controversy and led to multiple complaints across Europe, calling for a halt to Meta's data practices over concerns related to user privacy and data protection, as reported by Benzinga.
Furthermore, Meta Platforms is currently facing a significant class-action lawsuit related to the Cambridge Analytica privacy scandal, with the Supreme Court announcing it will review the case. This lawsuit, which involves billions of dollars, stems from allegations surrounding the misuse of Facebook user data by the political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica. Despite these challenges, Meta's stock has continued to perform well, with a notable 40% increase in its stock price year-to-date, nearing record highs after a staggering 469% rise since the low of November 2022.
Symbol | Price | %chg |
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035420.KS | 262000 | -0.19 |
035720.KS | 60100 | 0.17 |
0700.HK | 503 | 0 |
4689.T | 538.5 | 1.5 |
Citi is maintaining its bullish stance on Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META), reiterating a Buy rating and a $690 price target following the tech giant’s $14.3 billion investment in Scale AI. The deal grants Meta a 49% stake in the artificial intelligence firm, valuing Scale AI at $29 billion based on projected 2026 revenues of around $4 billion—a valuation roughly 7 times enterprise value to sales.
This strategic move deepens Meta’s commitment to AI innovation. As part of the agreement, Scale AI’s CEO Alexandr Wang will join Meta’s newly formed superintelligence team, although he will remain on Scale’s board. Jason Droege, formerly Chief Strategy Officer, will serve as interim CEO at Scale.
The investment is expected to accelerate Meta’s development of foundational AI technologies and large language models, particularly as it works to bring its next-generation Llama 4 model to market. The initiative aligns with Meta’s broader revamp of its AI leadership and its ambition to create a foundational AI operating system.
With over a billion monthly active users for Meta AI, enhanced recommendation systems, and improving engagement and conversion rates, Citi sees Meta as well-positioned to lead in the AI race. The Scale AI partnership is viewed as a strategic lever that could significantly amplify Meta’s long-term capabilities in the space.
Loop Capital lowered its price target on Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META) from $900 to $695 while maintaining a Buy rating, citing concerns about weakening ad pricing pressure ahead of the company’s first-quarter earnings report, scheduled to be released on Wednesday.
The firm expects Meta to deliver solid Q1 results but warns that management may offer a softer second-quarter outlook. A key issue is the pullback by Chinese cross-border advertisers, who have been scaling back spending in the U.S. due to changes around the de minimis exemption and new tariff pressures. Since Meta is a primary channel for customer acquisition, the drop in aggressive Chinese ad spending is reducing bidding competition and dragging down overall ad prices.
Loop Capital estimates that about 40% of the revenue associated with this previously high-spending cohort could be lost, though some of that impact may be offset as ad inventory shifts to the next-highest bidders. Adding to the challenge, consumer engagement metrics like click-through and conversion rates have been weakening, which could force further budget reductions from performance marketers if the trend continues.
The analysts now project Meta will guide second-quarter revenue to between $40.5 billion and $43.0 billion, slightly below the current consensus of $43.9 billion. While lower than previous expectations, they believe this guidance could still be better than the market currently fears.
Despite the near-term pressures, Loop Capital continues to see upside for Meta longer term, justifying the maintained Buy rating even as caution grows around short-term advertising dynamics.
Loop Capital lowered its price target on Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META) from $900 to $695 while maintaining a Buy rating, citing concerns about weakening ad pricing pressure ahead of the company’s first-quarter earnings report, scheduled to be released on Wednesday.
The firm expects Meta to deliver solid Q1 results but warns that management may offer a softer second-quarter outlook. A key issue is the pullback by Chinese cross-border advertisers, who have been scaling back spending in the U.S. due to changes around the de minimis exemption and new tariff pressures. Since Meta is a primary channel for customer acquisition, the drop in aggressive Chinese ad spending is reducing bidding competition and dragging down overall ad prices.
Loop Capital estimates that about 40% of the revenue associated with this previously high-spending cohort could be lost, though some of that impact may be offset as ad inventory shifts to the next-highest bidders. Adding to the challenge, consumer engagement metrics like click-through and conversion rates have been weakening, which could force further budget reductions from performance marketers if the trend continues.
The analysts now project Meta will guide second-quarter revenue to between $40.5 billion and $43.0 billion, slightly below the current consensus of $43.9 billion. While lower than previous expectations, they believe this guidance could still be better than the market currently fears.
Despite the near-term pressures, Loop Capital continues to see upside for Meta longer term, justifying the maintained Buy rating even as caution grows around short-term advertising dynamics.
Scotiabank reduced its price target on Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META) to $525 from $627, while maintaining a Sector Perform rating, citing a convergence of headwinds weighing on the stock.
Meta shares have fallen roughly 16% year-to-date as investors react to a combination of macro uncertainty, weakening digital ad trends, and the sharp pullback in ad spending from Chinese e-commerce players—most notably Temu, which had accounted for about 5-6% of Meta’s revenue. Data from app stores suggests a steep decline in ad impressions after Temu halted its campaigns, a trend that could continue dragging on Meta’s top line.
Even though third-party data indicates that Meta’s revenue is currently trending slightly above sell-side expectations, analysts are expected to keep lowering their forecasts given the slowdown in Chinese direct-to-consumer ad budgets and the broader market retreat.
On top of advertising pressures, Meta is also contending with legal challenges. The company’s recent $450 million settlement offer to the FTC was far below the regulator’s $30 billion ask, and regulatory risks remain elevated. Hopes that a Trump-led FTC would ease scrutiny have not materialized, as the agency continues aggressive oversight.
According to the bank, rising tariff-related import costs may further weigh on advertising partner budgets, potentially compounding the softness in Meta’s ad business.
Scotiabank reduced its price target on Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META) to $525 from $627, while maintaining a Sector Perform rating, citing a convergence of headwinds weighing on the stock.
Meta shares have fallen roughly 16% year-to-date as investors react to a combination of macro uncertainty, weakening digital ad trends, and the sharp pullback in ad spending from Chinese e-commerce players—most notably Temu, which had accounted for about 5-6% of Meta’s revenue. Data from app stores suggests a steep decline in ad impressions after Temu halted its campaigns, a trend that could continue dragging on Meta’s top line.
Even though third-party data indicates that Meta’s revenue is currently trending slightly above sell-side expectations, analysts are expected to keep lowering their forecasts given the slowdown in Chinese direct-to-consumer ad budgets and the broader market retreat.
On top of advertising pressures, Meta is also contending with legal challenges. The company’s recent $450 million settlement offer to the FTC was far below the regulator’s $30 billion ask, and regulatory risks remain elevated. Hopes that a Trump-led FTC would ease scrutiny have not materialized, as the agency continues aggressive oversight.
According to the bank, rising tariff-related import costs may further weigh on advertising partner budgets, potentially compounding the softness in Meta’s ad business.
Bank of America is maintaining a Buy rating and $765 price target on Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META) as the company reportedly gears up to introduce a new line of premium smart glasses—a potential game-changer for its hardware strategy.
The upcoming device, codenamed Hypernova, is expected to launch by the end of the year with a price tag between $1,000 and $1,400. According to reports, these next-gen glasses will come equipped with an integrated display for real-time updates, an enhanced camera on par with smartphones, a built-in AI assistant, and multiple input methods, including gesture control and a neural wristband that interprets brain signals.
Bank of America sees this product as a potential step forward in bridging the gap between augmented reality and daily usability, especially when compared to bulkier VR headsets. Still, success will depend on overcoming critical barriers like battery life, comfort, pricing, and—most importantly—the development of a killer app that drives broad consumer adoption.
At current trading levels around $580, Meta is valued at just 20x its 2026 projected GAAP EPS, or 16x excluding the costs of Reality Labs, suggesting that investors may be assigning little to no value to its hardware initiatives.
If the company can gain traction with its smart glasses, it could enhance control over its ecosystem, from user experience to data and distribution, further strengthening its core advertising and social media businesses. Meta may also unlock new revenue streams through AI-powered tools, accessories, and subscription offerings.
Bank of America believes the upcoming launch could be pivotal in shifting market perception of Meta’s Reality Labs division—from a costly experiment to a strategic asset with monetization potential.
Bank of America is maintaining a Buy rating and $765 price target on Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META) as the company reportedly gears up to introduce a new line of premium smart glasses—a potential game-changer for its hardware strategy.
The upcoming device, codenamed Hypernova, is expected to launch by the end of the year with a price tag between $1,000 and $1,400. According to reports, these next-gen glasses will come equipped with an integrated display for real-time updates, an enhanced camera on par with smartphones, a built-in AI assistant, and multiple input methods, including gesture control and a neural wristband that interprets brain signals.
Bank of America sees this product as a potential step forward in bridging the gap between augmented reality and daily usability, especially when compared to bulkier VR headsets. Still, success will depend on overcoming critical barriers like battery life, comfort, pricing, and—most importantly—the development of a killer app that drives broad consumer adoption.
At current trading levels around $580, Meta is valued at just 20x its 2026 projected GAAP EPS, or 16x excluding the costs of Reality Labs, suggesting that investors may be assigning little to no value to its hardware initiatives.
If the company can gain traction with its smart glasses, it could enhance control over its ecosystem, from user experience to data and distribution, further strengthening its core advertising and social media businesses. Meta may also unlock new revenue streams through AI-powered tools, accessories, and subscription offerings.
Bank of America believes the upcoming launch could be pivotal in shifting market perception of Meta’s Reality Labs division—from a costly experiment to a strategic asset with monetization potential.