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: 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.
Meta Seeks Growth Through AI Investments
- AI Investment Strategy: Meta has invested billions in artificial intelligence, establishing data centers and a superintelligence lab to enhance ad performance and attract more advertising spend, thereby boosting profitability in its core business.
- New Product Launch: This month, Meta unveiled its first large AI model, Muse Spark, which is expected to offer paid access to third-party developers, further diversifying revenue streams and enhancing market competitiveness.
- Historical Performance Analysis: Historical data shows a close correlation between Meta's return on invested capital (ROIC) and stock performance, indicating that whenever ROIC rises, the stock price tends to follow suit, reflecting the company's prudent investment decisions.
- Market Outlook: Despite current market volatility, Meta's AI investments are seen as a key growth driver for the future, with analysts suggesting that now is an attractive time to buy Meta stock.
See More
Market Update: Rising Oil Prices and M&A Activity
- Oil Price Surge Amid Tensions: Renewed tensions in the Strait of Hormuz have led to rising oil prices, with the U.S. seizing an Iranian commercial ship attempting to evade a Navy blockade, potentially impacting global oil markets.
- M&A Activity on the Rise: Roofing and construction supplies distributor QXO has agreed to acquire installation firm TopBuild for $17 billion, positioning QXO as a leader in waterproofing and insulation, which is expected to significantly enhance its market share.
- Optimistic Apple Earnings Forecast: Morgan Stanley anticipates Apple will report quarterly earnings per share of $2.02 and revenue of $110.82 billion, exceeding market expectations, with analysts expressing confidence in Apple's supply chain management capabilities and maintaining a $300 price target.
- Airline Industry Hit by Fuel Costs: KLM has canceled over 150 European flights due to soaring jet fuel costs, indicating financial strain on the airline industry, which could negatively affect related companies like Boeing.
See More
IMF Warns: AI Transformation and Market Risks
- Urgency of AI Transformation: IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva emphasized at a Washington panel that businesses and economies must rapidly adapt to artificial intelligence, indicating that AI application will be crucial for future competitiveness.
- Market Rebound and Concentration Risk: Despite significant volatility in U.S. tech stocks during Q1, the Nasdaq has surged nearly 20% in the past three weeks; however, with less than 10% of S&P 500 stocks hitting 52-week highs, this highlights a concerning concentration risk in the market.
- Capex and Energy Demand: Morgan Stanley projects that hyperscalers like Microsoft, Amazon, Google, and Meta will commit $635 billion in capex this year, while energy demand from data centers is expected to reach 80 GW, potentially leading to a 55 GW shortfall, which could pressure market expectations.
- Geopolitics and AI Competition: Although rising energy prices may strain tech earnings outlooks, escalating geopolitical tensions could intensify the AI arms race, prompting investors to maintain focus on AI-related stocks, creating short-term investment opportunities.
See More
META: FIRST TRAINING COHORTS OF THE PROGRAM SET TO START THIS SUMMER - WEBSITE
- Training Cohorts: Meta's first training cohorts are expected to begin this summer.
- Program Launch: The announcement indicates a significant step in Meta's educational initiatives.
See More
META's LevelUp Program Aims to Provide Trainees with Technical Skills; Successful Graduates May Work at Company's US Construction Sites
Program Overview: The Metal Level Up Program aims to equip trainees with essential technical skills.
Graduate Opportunities: Successful graduates of the program will have the chance to work at Co's construction sites.
See More
Major Wall Street Rating Updates on Monday
- Tesla Rating Adjustment: Jefferies raised Tesla's price target from $300 to $350, anticipating Q1 results will show a widening gap between vision and execution, and concerns about funding may arise without a convincing robotaxi announcement, potentially leading to merger considerations with SpaceX.
- Apple's Positive Outlook: Morgan Stanley reiterated Apple as overweight, expecting a modest 1-2% upside in revenue and EPS in the upcoming earnings report, despite supply constraints, indicating the company's resilience in the market.
- Amazon Price Target Increase: Bank of America raised Amazon's price target from $275 to $298, believing that with strong assets and customer focus, Amazon is well-positioned to capitalize on the global growth of eCommerce and enterprise demand for AI capabilities, showcasing robust growth potential.
- Microsoft's Favorable Outlook: Deutsche Bank reiterated Microsoft as a buy, expecting Azure's performance and guidance to be focal points in the upcoming earnings report, indicating that the company's broad progress in AI initiatives will drive future growth.
See More
Meta Seeks Growth Through AI Investments
- AI Investment Strategy: Meta has invested billions in artificial intelligence, establishing data centers and a superintelligence lab to enhance ad performance and attract more advertising spend, thereby boosting profitability in its core business.
- New Product Launch: This month, Meta unveiled its first large AI model, Muse Spark, which is expected to offer paid access to third-party developers, further diversifying revenue streams and enhancing market competitiveness.
- Historical Performance Analysis: Historical data shows a close correlation between Meta's return on invested capital (ROIC) and stock performance, indicating that whenever ROIC rises, the stock price tends to follow suit, reflecting the company's prudent investment decisions.
- Market Outlook: Despite current market volatility, Meta's AI investments are seen as a key growth driver for the future, with analysts suggesting that now is an attractive time to buy Meta stock.
See More
Market Update: Rising Oil Prices and M&A Activity
- Oil Price Surge Amid Tensions: Renewed tensions in the Strait of Hormuz have led to rising oil prices, with the U.S. seizing an Iranian commercial ship attempting to evade a Navy blockade, potentially impacting global oil markets.
- M&A Activity on the Rise: Roofing and construction supplies distributor QXO has agreed to acquire installation firm TopBuild for $17 billion, positioning QXO as a leader in waterproofing and insulation, which is expected to significantly enhance its market share.
- Optimistic Apple Earnings Forecast: Morgan Stanley anticipates Apple will report quarterly earnings per share of $2.02 and revenue of $110.82 billion, exceeding market expectations, with analysts expressing confidence in Apple's supply chain management capabilities and maintaining a $300 price target.
- Airline Industry Hit by Fuel Costs: KLM has canceled over 150 European flights due to soaring jet fuel costs, indicating financial strain on the airline industry, which could negatively affect related companies like Boeing.
See More
IMF Warns: AI Transformation and Market Risks
- Urgency of AI Transformation: IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva emphasized at a Washington panel that businesses and economies must rapidly adapt to artificial intelligence, indicating that AI application will be crucial for future competitiveness.
- Market Rebound and Concentration Risk: Despite significant volatility in U.S. tech stocks during Q1, the Nasdaq has surged nearly 20% in the past three weeks; however, with less than 10% of S&P 500 stocks hitting 52-week highs, this highlights a concerning concentration risk in the market.
- Capex and Energy Demand: Morgan Stanley projects that hyperscalers like Microsoft, Amazon, Google, and Meta will commit $635 billion in capex this year, while energy demand from data centers is expected to reach 80 GW, potentially leading to a 55 GW shortfall, which could pressure market expectations.
- Geopolitics and AI Competition: Although rising energy prices may strain tech earnings outlooks, escalating geopolitical tensions could intensify the AI arms race, prompting investors to maintain focus on AI-related stocks, creating short-term investment opportunities.
See More
META: FIRST TRAINING COHORTS OF THE PROGRAM SET TO START THIS SUMMER - WEBSITE
- Training Cohorts: Meta's first training cohorts are expected to begin this summer.
- Program Launch: The announcement indicates a significant step in Meta's educational initiatives.
See More
META's LevelUp Program Aims to Provide Trainees with Technical Skills; Successful Graduates May Work at Company's US Construction Sites
Program Overview: The Metal Level Up Program aims to equip trainees with essential technical skills.
Graduate Opportunities: Successful graduates of the program will have the chance to work at Co's construction sites.
See More
Major Wall Street Rating Updates on Monday
- Tesla Rating Adjustment: Jefferies raised Tesla's price target from $300 to $350, anticipating Q1 results will show a widening gap between vision and execution, and concerns about funding may arise without a convincing robotaxi announcement, potentially leading to merger considerations with SpaceX.
- Apple's Positive Outlook: Morgan Stanley reiterated Apple as overweight, expecting a modest 1-2% upside in revenue and EPS in the upcoming earnings report, despite supply constraints, indicating the company's resilience in the market.
- Amazon Price Target Increase: Bank of America raised Amazon's price target from $275 to $298, believing that with strong assets and customer focus, Amazon is well-positioned to capitalize on the global growth of eCommerce and enterprise demand for AI capabilities, showcasing robust growth potential.
- Microsoft's Favorable Outlook: Deutsche Bank reiterated Microsoft as a buy, expecting Azure's performance and guidance to be focal points in the upcoming earnings report, indicating that the company's broad progress in AI initiatives will drive future growth.
See More
