Federal Reserve Investigation May Impact Powell's Tenure
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Apr 08 2026
0mins
Should l Buy META?
Source: CNBC
- Investigation Stalled: Federal prosecutors in Washington are contemplating an appeal regarding Powell's investigation, but former federal prosecutors warn that complex legal procedures may further delay the investigation, impacting Powell's tenure and the stability of Federal Reserve policies.
- Uncertainty in Powell's Term: Powell's term is set to expire on May 15, and while he expects to remain as interim chair, the ongoing investigation could hinder the Trump administration's nomination of Kevin Warsh, thereby affecting interest rate decisions.
- Legal Challenges Intensify: Prosecutors admitted in court that they have yet to find evidence of wrongdoing by Powell, and the judge has quashed subpoenas against him, leaving the investigation in limbo and presenting greater legal challenges for the prosecutors in any future appeals.
- Complex Political Context: The political motivations behind the investigation may influence future legal proceedings, as judges might question the prosecutors' intentions in pursuing the Fed, further eroding public trust in judicial impartiality and impacting the likelihood of success in cases.
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Analyst Views on META
Wall Street analysts forecast META stock price to rise
44 Analyst Rating
37 Buy
6 Hold
1 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 688.550
Low
655.15
Averages
824.71
High
1117
Current: 688.550
Low
655.15
Averages
824.71
High
1117
About META
Meta Platforms, Inc. is building human connections, powered by artificial intelligence and immersive technologies. The Company's products enable people to connect and share with friends and family through mobile devices, personal computers, virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR) headsets, augmented reality (AR), and wearables. It also helps people discover and learn about what is going on in the world around them, enabling people to share their experiences, ideas, photos, videos, and other content with audiences ranging from their closest family members and friends to the public at large. The Company's segments include Family of Apps (FoA) and Reality Labs (RL). FoA segment includes Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, WhatsApp and Threads. RL segment includes its virtual, augmented, and mixed reality related consumer hardware, software and content. Its product offerings in VR include its Meta Quest devices, as well as software and content available through the Meta Horizon Store.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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See More
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- Premium Features: The premium features include expanded pinned chats, custom lists, and new chat themes, with a Meta spokesperson stating that the initial phase will involve a small test to gather feedback and ensure the developed features genuinely meet user needs.
- Revenue Growth Potential: The paid messaging service on WhatsApp has proven lucrative for parent company Meta, with a reported 54% increase in revenue from its family of apps in Q4, indicating strong growth potential, and the WhatsApp Business API is expected to generate approximately $2 billion in annual revenue this year.
- Fast-Growing Segment: As one of Meta's fastest-growing segments, WhatsApp is further solidifying its market position by launching new features and services, reflecting the company's strategic focus on enhancing user engagement and increasing revenue.
See More
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- Natural Gas Market Share: The International Energy Agency reports that natural gas accounts for 26% of data center electricity demand, with coal and natural gas expected to meet 40% of additional electricity needs by 2030, further solidifying the market position of gas companies.
- Infrastructure Investment Opportunities: GE Vernova supports natural gas plants with turbines, having received an order for 29 turbine units from Crusoe to meet data center demands, indicating ongoing investment potential in energy infrastructure.
See More
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- Surge in Data Center Demand: According to Goldman Sachs, energy demand from data centers is projected to increase by 50% by 2027 and by 165% by 2030 compared to 2023, providing significant revenue catalysts for energy companies.
- Entergy's New Partnership: Entergy Louisiana has secured a deal with Meta Platforms to support its $27 billion data center with seven new natural gas power plants and battery storage infrastructure, which is expected to further boost Entergy's stock price.
- Natural Gas Market Opportunities: The International Energy Agency reports that natural gas accounts for 26% of data center electricity demand, with coal and natural gas projected to meet 40% of the additional electricity demand from data centers by 2030, creating long-term growth potential for related companies.
- Infrastructure Support: GE Vernova supports natural gas plants with turbines and recently announced that Crusoe ordered 29 gas turbine units to meet its data center needs, indicating ongoing investment potential in energy infrastructure.
See More
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- Strong Energy Stock Performance: One of the early winners in the 2026 AI trade is energy stocks, with Entergy (NYSE: ETR) shares up approximately 25% this year, reflecting market confidence in its future growth prospects.
- Major Partnership Agreement: Entergy Louisiana has secured a deal with Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META), where Meta will fund seven new natural gas power plants and related infrastructure for its $27 billion data center, indicating a strong expectation for natural gas demand.
- Surge in Power Demand: According to Goldman Sachs, energy demand from data centers is projected to increase by 50% by 2027 and could rise as much as 165% by 2030 compared to 2023, providing a significant revenue catalyst for natural gas companies.
- Infrastructure Investment Opportunities: In addition to Entergy, companies like Energy Transfer LP (NYSE: ET) and Enbridge (NYSE: ENB) are capitalizing on the growing demand from data centers, highlighting the critical role of natural gas in the future energy market.
See More
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- Industry Reaction: Cook, who has served as CEO for nearly 15 years, received widespread accolades from industry leaders, including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Oculus founder Palmer Luckey, who expressed gratitude on social media, highlighting his profound influence in the tech sector.
- Historical Context: Cook's ascension to CEO followed the resignation of Apple founder Steve Jobs in 2011, and under Cook's leadership, Apple achieved numerous innovations, particularly with the successful launch of the iPhone series, solidifying the company's market leadership globally.
- Future Outlook: Ternus's appointment may usher in a new strategic direction, particularly in hardware innovation and technology integration, with investors closely monitoring the implications of this transition on Apple's future growth.
See More
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- Poor Stock Performance: Meta Platforms' stock has risen only about 2% this year, significantly lagging behind the S&P 500's 4% increase, indicating a weak market position that warrants investor caution.
- Valuation Metrics: With a current P/E ratio of 29, which is higher than its five-year average despite a slight decline from previous years, Meta's stock appears overvalued, suggesting it may not be a worthwhile investment at this time.
- AI Investment Outlook: While there are potential opportunities in artificial intelligence, Meta's substantial spending on the metaverse has yet to yield returns, raising investor concerns about future profitability and the risk of a significant correction.
- Child Safety Concerns: Growing worries regarding child safety protocols on its apps add further uncertainty to Meta's outlook, leading to a recommendation for investors to remain on the sidelines until there is evidence of meaningful profit growth from its latest tech strategies.
See More
