Major U.S. Averages Mostly Unchanged Near Noon
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Dec 30 2025
0mins
Should l Buy META?
The major averages were mostly unchanged near noon on the penultimate trading day of the year as markets contend with light year-end volumes and a pullback in heavyweight tech and AI names that stalled last week's strong rally. Investors are also awaiting the release of the Federal Reserve's December meeting minutes and digesting recent economic signals that have fueled debate over the pace of future rate cuts.Looking to commodities, gold edged higher following yesterday's sharp losses, while oil is fractionally higher ahead of the API crude numbers set for release this afternoon.Get caught up quickly on the top news and calls moving stocks with this Midday Fly By.1. STOCK NEWS:Meta PlatformsAI startup Manus, with the Wall Street Journal reporting that Meta is paying over $2B for the businessApplied Digitalits cloud computing business with Ekso BionicsOn24by Cvent for $8.10 per share in cashCiti'sboard approved a plan to2. WALL STREET CALLS:ArgusBHP Groupto Buy on "firming" commodity pricesMereo BioPharmato Hold at JefferiesBenchmarkLindblad Expeditionswith a Buy on high growth visibilityStephensof Rubrik, Commvault, and AvePointwith Overweight ratings and Varonisat Equal Weight3. AROUND THE WEB:SMICintends to acquire the remaining 49% stake in unit SMNC for Y40.6B, or $5.79B, giving the company full control of the subsidiary,The U.S. government has granted Samsung Electronicsand SK Hynixan annual license to bring chip manufacturing equipment to their Chinese facilities for 2026,Power-hungry AI projects are benefiting Caterpillaras a range of customers looks to purchase the company's engines and generators,Softbankhas completed its $40B investment in OpenAI,Warner Bros. Discoveryis expected to reject the latest offer made by Paramount Skydance,4. MOVERS:Hycroft Miningincreases after filing aBoeinggains after being awarded afor the F-15 Israel Program and a ceiling $4.2B modification to a previously awarded Air Force contract for E-4B contractor logistic serviceEnergy Fuelsfalls after Roth Capital said shares of the companyTruth Medialower after Yorkville America launchedon the New York Stock Exchange5. EARNINGS/GUIDANCE:Ree Automotive, with EPS higher year-over-yearEtoiles CapitalCemtrexreported, with revenue higher year-over-yearAMTD IDEA Groupreported, with CFO Xavier Zee commenting, "We are proud to deliver another half year of strong performance"INDEXES:Near midday, the Dow was down 0.20%, or 98.77, to 48,363.16, the Nasdaq was down 0.04%, or 9.76, to 23,464.59, and the S&P 500 was down 0.06%, or 3.88, to 6,901.86.
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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: 639.290
Low
655.15
Averages
824.71
High
1117
Current: 639.290
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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- Funding Flow and Utilization: Last year, Meta allocated $45 million to the American Technology Excellence Project, with expectations that these funds will flow into the newly established PACs, thereby enhancing the company's political clout.
- Initial Spending Plans: Meta's expenditures are set to commence this week in Illinois and Texas, primarily backing incumbent Democratic and Republican candidates, reflecting the company's strategic inclination to maintain the existing political landscape.
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- Amazon's Market Advantage: As the world's largest e-commerce and cloud infrastructure company, Amazon leverages AWS profits to expand its retail business, with analysts projecting revenue and EPS growth at CAGRs of 12% and 18% from 2025 to 2028, indicating robust future growth.
- Investment Recommendation: Analysts view both Alphabet and Amazon as evergreen stocks worth investing in, and Robinhood investors' choices reflect confidence in these stocks, especially amid current market volatility, showcasing their long-term investment value.
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