Meta's shares may surge in the next six months, alongside these lesser-known selections.
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Dec 17 2025
0mins
Should l Buy META?
Source: MarketWatch
Meta's Stock Performance: Meta's stock has shown subdued performance in 2025, with a 12% year-to-date increase, lagging behind the S&P 500's 15% rise.
Analyst's Outlook: Barton Crockett from Rosenblatt Securities identifies Meta as a top pick for the first half of 2026, suggesting potential for recovery and strong performance.
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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: 649.810
Low
655.15
Averages
824.71
High
1117
Current: 649.810
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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- Surge in Capex: The capital expenditure forecast for 2026 has been raised to between $115 billion and $135 billion, nearly doubling the $72.2 billion spent in 2025, leading to a divide among investors regarding the sustainability of this spending plan.
- Robust User Growth: Meta's Family of Apps now boasts 3.58 billion daily active users, representing 43% of the global population, showcasing effective AI application in its advertising business with an 18% increase in ad impressions.
- Strong Profitability: Meta anticipates Q1 2026 revenues between $53.5 billion and $56.5 billion, implying growth rates as high as 34%, and despite spending pressures, the company maintains strong cash flow and profitability metrics.
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- Market Risk Management: In the current highly dangerous market environment, tech giants like Apple, Google, Amazon, Meta, and Nvidia are leveraging diversified product lines and innovative technologies to mask underlying market weaknesses, thereby enhancing investor confidence.
- Performance of Tech Giants: These companies exhibit a degree of resilience in financial performance, attracting investor attention despite increased market volatility, indicating their relative safety amid uncertainty.
- Investor Confidence: By maintaining continuous innovation and adaptability, these companies not only retain market share but also enhance investor confidence in the tech sector, reflecting their significance during economic turmoil.
- Future Outlook: Despite facing market challenges, the strategic positioning and financial robustness of these tech giants provide them with strong growth potential in future market recoveries, potentially leading the industry resurgence.
See More
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- Strong Earnings: Meta reported a 24% revenue growth in Q4 2025, beating market expectations, although the stock has drifted lower post-earnings, indicating investor concerns over future spending.
- Surge in Capex: The capital expenditure forecast for 2026 has been raised to between $115 billion and $135 billion, nearly doubling the $72.2 billion spent in 2025, leading to a divide among investors regarding the sustainability of this spending plan.
- Robust User Growth: Meta's Family of Apps now boasts 3.58 billion daily active users, representing 43% of the global population, showcasing effective AI application in its advertising business with an 18% increase in ad impressions.
- Strong Profitability: Meta anticipates Q1 2026 revenues between $53.5 billion and $56.5 billion, implying growth rates as high as 34%, and despite spending pressures, the company maintains strong cash flow and profitability metrics.
See More
Doha Emerges as a Global Hub for AI Discussions
- Global AI Summit: The Web Summit in Doha attracted over 30,000 founders, investors, and experts, establishing itself as a global hub for AI discussions and showcasing the Middle East's rise in the global AI landscape.
- Innovation Sandbox: Qatar Foundation Chairperson Sheikha Moza bint Nasser described the event as a 'sandbox of innovation,' highlighting AI's potential to empower small businesses and drive economic growth, particularly as large enterprises face implementation challenges.
- Energy and Data Infrastructure: Attendees discussed the resilience of supply chains, energy systems, and data infrastructure amid rising geopolitical tensions, emphasizing the need for governments to ensure supply and diversification of computing capabilities to meet the demands of the information age.
- Investment Opportunities: Qatar's Prime Minister announced an additional $2 billion for the Qatar Investment Authority's Fund of Funds program, bringing total committed capital to $3 billion, supporting 12 regional and international fund managers, reflecting the country's ambition and potential in global AI investments.
See More
Cardano Founder Envisions Blockchain Dating Apps
- Blockchain Dating Vision: Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson stated at Consensus Hong Kong that blockchain dating apps like Tinder could attract 2-3 billion users by allowing users to verify attributes like height, income, and location, thereby enhancing trust and potentially transforming social platforms.
- Importance of Seamless Integration: Hoskinson emphasized that consumers shouldn't need to understand blockchain complexities for widespread adoption, akin to how electricity is used, suggesting that simplifying user experience is crucial for mainstream acceptance of blockchain technology.
- Privacy and Data Ownership: Blockchain dating apps are expected to offer enhanced privacy and data ownership, appealing to users disillusioned with centralized platforms, which Hoskinson believes will be a significant factor in attracting new users and driving industry change.
- ADA Price Dynamics: Cardano's ADA is currently hovering around $0.2275, with a break below the support level of $0.22 potentially leading to further declines towards $0.20; the current oversold condition may trigger a short-term bounce, impacting investor confidence.
See More
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- Inflation Data Eases: The U.S. Consumer Price Index rose 2.4% year-on-year in January, down from 2.7% in December, indicating a potential easing of inflation pressures, which could influence the Federal Reserve's interest rate decisions.
- Core CPI Insights: The core CPI registered at 2.5%, marking the lowest level since April 2021, aligning with economists' expectations, suggesting that inflation may be gradually coming under control, which is favorable for market sentiment.
- Cautious Market Reaction: Despite the positive inflation data, major U.S. indexes experienced slight declines on Friday, reflecting ongoing investor uncertainty regarding the impacts of artificial intelligence, leading to a cautious market atmosphere.
- International Relations Improvement: Signs of easing tensions between the U.S. and Iran emerged as both sides prepare for a second round of talks in Geneva, with Iran expressing readiness to discuss nuclear program restrictions in exchange for economic benefits, potentially creating a positive market impact.
See More
Coinbase CEO Sells $545.7 Million in Stock Amid Market Challenges
- Massive Sell-off: Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong sold over $545.7 million in stock over nine months, executing 88 sell orders with no purchases, indicating significant concerns about market conditions and investor sentiment.
- Net Worth Decline: Armstrong's net worth plummeted by over $10 billion from a peak of $17.7 billion in July 2025, now standing at $7.5 billion, primarily tied to his 14% stake in Coinbase, reflecting a broader decline in confidence in the cryptocurrency market.
- Analyst Rating Divergence: Goldman Sachs upgraded Coinbase to a 'Buy' with a $303 price target on January 5, citing growth in non-trading revenue as a buffer against market cycles, while JPMorgan cut its target by 27% on Tuesday, highlighting declining trading volumes and softness in crypto prices.
- Price Trend Analysis: Coinbase shares closed down 6% yesterday after breaking critical support at $230-$240, currently testing the $150-$155 zone, and if it fails to reclaim $168-$170, it could face increased technical pressure moving forward.
See More
Strategies to Mitigate Market Risks
- Market Risk Management: In the current highly dangerous market environment, tech giants like Apple, Google, Amazon, Meta, and Nvidia are leveraging diversified product lines and innovative technologies to mask underlying market weaknesses, thereby enhancing investor confidence.
- Performance of Tech Giants: These companies exhibit a degree of resilience in financial performance, attracting investor attention despite increased market volatility, indicating their relative safety amid uncertainty.
- Investor Confidence: By maintaining continuous innovation and adaptability, these companies not only retain market share but also enhance investor confidence in the tech sector, reflecting their significance during economic turmoil.
- Future Outlook: Despite facing market challenges, the strategic positioning and financial robustness of these tech giants provide them with strong growth potential in future market recoveries, potentially leading the industry resurgence.
See More
