Stocks Lower at Midday as Oil Prices Hit New Highs
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 05 2026
0mins
Should l Buy META?
Stocks are lower at midday as traders keep an eye on rising oil prices. U.S. crude oil prices rose to their highest level since last June after Iran said it hit an oil tanker with a missile, with West Texas Intermediate crude futures trading above $77 per barrel during the session.Get caught up quickly on the top news and calls moving stocks with these five Top Five lists.1. STOCK NEWS:Broadcomrallied after the company said it expects artificial intelligence chip sales toin 2027OpenAI toppedas of end of last month, The Information reportsKrogerreported better-than-expected Q4 adjusted EPS, but gave arange that missed consensus at the midpointAmerican Eagle (AEO) reported what Telsey Advisory said wereStubHubreported Q4 GMS and revenue about 7% below consensus estimates, while the FY26 outlook for GMS and EBITDA came in2. WALL STREET CALLS:Meta Platformsto Neutral from Buy at AreteScotiabankMongoDBto Outperform following its post-earnings selloffPenn Entertainmentto Buy at BenchmarkBernsteinCoreWeaveat Underperform on hyperscaler competition riskJPMorgan and WedbushStubHubto Neutral after its earnings miss and guidance reset3. AROUND THE WEB:UniQure'sgene therapy for Huntington's disease has shown promising early results, but the FDA is requiring a new trial with a sham-surgery placebo group to prove its effectiveness, Bloomberg saysAlibabasaid it would set up a new task force to accelerate foundation model development, following the resignation of its Qwen AI division head Lin Junyang, Reuters reportsTencent'sSupercell is cooperating with a U.S. government security probe investigating its parent company's data practices, Bloomberg saysNvidiahas stopped production of its second-most advanced artificial intelligence chips, known as H200 chips, intended for the Chinese market, FT reportsSonyno longer plans to release its big single-player PlayStation 5 games on PC, a major strategy shift that sees it returning to console exclusivity, Bloomberg says4. MOVERS:Tango Therapeuticsgains after reportingand entering a clinical collaboration agreement with ErascaPalladyne AIincreases afterits guidance for FY26Alto Ingredientsand Ampriushigher afterquarterly resultsGrocery Outletfalls afterquarterly results and providing an update on its restructuring planPepGenlower afterquarterly results and announcing the FDA placed a partial clinical hold on Phase 2 trial of PGN-EDODM15. EARNINGS/GUIDANCE:BJ's WholesaleQ4 results, with EPS and revenue beating consensusJD.comQ4 results, with CEO Sandy Xu commenting, "We were pleased to close out 2026 with fourth quarter results in line with expectations"TeadsQ4 results and provided guidance for Q1 and FY26Victoria's SecretQ4 results, with CEO Hillary Super commenting, "We delivered an exceptional fourth quarter and a standout year"CienaQ4 results and provided guidance for Q2INDEXES:Near midday, the Dow was down 1.58%, or 768.33, to 47,971.08, the Nasdaq was down 0.39%, or 85.62, to 22,718.75, and the S&P 500 was down 0.71%, or 49.08, to 6,820.42.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy META?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
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: 536.380
Low
655.15
Averages
824.71
High
1117
Current: 536.380
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 Platforms Inc's Intrinsic Value Analysis
- Intrinsic Value Assessment: According to GuruFocus's Discounted Earnings model, Meta Platforms Inc's intrinsic value is estimated at $730.56, while its current trading price is $536.38, indicating a 26.58% margin of safety, suggesting the company is modestly undervalued and may attract investor interest.
- Growth Stage Assumptions: In the growth stage, Meta's earnings per share (EPS) without non-recurring items is set at $23.38, with an expected growth rate of 22.70%, reflecting the company's strong growth potential over the next decade, which could drive stock price appreciation.
- Discount Rate Calculation: GuruFocus employs an 11% discount rate, which includes a 4.33% 10-year Treasury yield and a 6% risk premium; this choice of discount rate is crucial for assessing the present value of future earnings and impacts investor decision-making.
- Traditional Model Comparison: Using the traditional free cash flow model, Meta's intrinsic value is calculated at $560.10, showing a 4.23% margin of safety, indicating that under different valuation methods, Meta's market pricing holds a degree of reasonableness, prompting investors to consider multiple valuation models.
See More
Meta Tests Instagram Plus Subscription Service Offering Exclusive Features
- Subscription Service Testing: Meta is testing a premium subscription service called Instagram Plus on its Instagram app, allowing users to view Stories without notifying the poster, enhancing user privacy and potentially attracting more subscribers.
- New Feature Rollout: The subscription will offer unlimited audience list creation and the ability to see how many times a Story has been viewed, enhancing user engagement and content management capabilities, which may increase user retention.
- Market Testing Regions: The service is currently being tested in Mexico, Japan, and the Philippines, with pricing varying by country, demonstrating Meta's flexible pricing strategy aimed at maximizing user acceptance and market penetration.
- User Base Impact: With approximately 3 billion monthly active users, Instagram may account for about 40% of Meta's total revenue, and if successfully launched, this service could significantly boost the company's revenue and competitive position in the market.
See More
Meta Launches First AI Glasses
- Product Innovation: Meta Platforms announced the launch of its first artificial intelligence glasses on Tuesday, marking a significant advancement in the wearable tech space aimed at enhancing user experience and expanding market share.
- Market Positioning: The glasses integrate advanced AI technology, expected to attract tech enthusiasts and early adopters, thereby solidifying Meta's competitive position in the smart hardware market.
- Strategic Implications: By introducing this new product, Meta not only showcases its R&D capabilities in artificial intelligence but also potentially lays the groundwork for future product line expansions, driving overall company growth.
- Enhanced User Experience: The design of the new glasses aims to provide a more intuitive user interaction, expected to improve daily life experiences for users, thereby enhancing brand loyalty and attracting a broader user base.
See More
Meta Launches New Ray-Ban Smart Glasses with Prescription Options
- New Smart Glasses Launch: Meta has unveiled the new Ray-Ban Meta glasses starting at $499, which accommodate most prescription lenses, indicating the company's further expansion in the wearables market and likely attracting a broader consumer base.
- International Market Expansion: The new glasses will be available in the U.S. and select international markets, including Japan, Korea, Singapore, Chile, Colombia, and Peru, starting April 14, showcasing Meta's strategic positioning in global markets.
- Software Feature Enhancements: Meta is adding new functionalities to its smart glasses, such as nutrition tracking, hands-free WhatsApp summaries, and live translation across 20 languages, aimed at improving user experience and enhancing product competitiveness.
- Diversified Product Offerings: In addition to Ray-Ban Meta, Meta is expanding its Oakley Meta Vanguard and HSTN lines with new color and lens combinations, further enriching its product lineup to meet diverse consumer needs.
See More
Nvidia's $1 Trillion Backlog Signals Surge in AI Infrastructure Demand
- Staggering Order Volume: Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang announced a staggering $1 trillion order backlog expected by 2027, which not only highlights the immense potential of AI infrastructure demand but also provides the company with multi-year revenue visibility, significantly boosting investor confidence.
- Diverse Clientele: This order volume comes from major hyperscalers, cloud providers, and sovereign governments worldwide, indicating strong demand for Nvidia's GPUs and data center equipment, with deliveries anticipated over the next 12 to 24 months, thereby mitigating revenue risk for the company.
- High Margin Assurance: With these orders locked in at premium pricing, Nvidia's gross margin is expected to remain robust at 71.07%, ensuring not only short-term profitability but also laying a solid foundation for long-term growth.
- Valuation Appeal: Trading at a forward P/E ratio of approximately 22, near its lowest during the AI revolution, Nvidia's $1 trillion backlog suggests that market expectations for future growth may be overly conservative, presenting investors with increased upside opportunities in the early innings of the AI infrastructure era.
See More
Unilever in Talks to Merge with McCormick
- Merger Talks Progress: Unilever has confirmed it is in talks to merge with McCormick, with the deal expected to involve an upfront cash component of approximately $15.7 billion and the majority of consideration in McCormick equity, indicating strong interest in consolidation within the food industry.
- Stock Price Surge: Following the announcement, McCormick's shares rose over 3%, reflecting positive market expectations regarding the potential merger, which could enhance the company's competitive position and resource integration capabilities.
- Rating Upgrade Impact: Deutsche Bank upgraded Diageo from hold to buy, resulting in a nearly 3% stock price increase, as analysts noted that structural and cyclical headwinds in alcohol sales are already priced into the stock, indicating market confidence in its future performance.
- Strong Order Growth: Jefferies upgraded Amphenol from hold to buy, leading to a more than 2% increase in its stock price, with analysts highlighting strong order growth and solid margins, suggesting a positive outlook for the company's performance and growth potential.
See More
Meta Platforms Inc's Intrinsic Value Analysis
- Intrinsic Value Assessment: According to GuruFocus's Discounted Earnings model, Meta Platforms Inc's intrinsic value is estimated at $730.56, while its current trading price is $536.38, indicating a 26.58% margin of safety, suggesting the company is modestly undervalued and may attract investor interest.
- Growth Stage Assumptions: In the growth stage, Meta's earnings per share (EPS) without non-recurring items is set at $23.38, with an expected growth rate of 22.70%, reflecting the company's strong growth potential over the next decade, which could drive stock price appreciation.
- Discount Rate Calculation: GuruFocus employs an 11% discount rate, which includes a 4.33% 10-year Treasury yield and a 6% risk premium; this choice of discount rate is crucial for assessing the present value of future earnings and impacts investor decision-making.
- Traditional Model Comparison: Using the traditional free cash flow model, Meta's intrinsic value is calculated at $560.10, showing a 4.23% margin of safety, indicating that under different valuation methods, Meta's market pricing holds a degree of reasonableness, prompting investors to consider multiple valuation models.
See More
Meta Tests Instagram Plus Subscription Service Offering Exclusive Features
- Subscription Service Testing: Meta is testing a premium subscription service called Instagram Plus on its Instagram app, allowing users to view Stories without notifying the poster, enhancing user privacy and potentially attracting more subscribers.
- New Feature Rollout: The subscription will offer unlimited audience list creation and the ability to see how many times a Story has been viewed, enhancing user engagement and content management capabilities, which may increase user retention.
- Market Testing Regions: The service is currently being tested in Mexico, Japan, and the Philippines, with pricing varying by country, demonstrating Meta's flexible pricing strategy aimed at maximizing user acceptance and market penetration.
- User Base Impact: With approximately 3 billion monthly active users, Instagram may account for about 40% of Meta's total revenue, and if successfully launched, this service could significantly boost the company's revenue and competitive position in the market.
See More
Meta Launches First AI Glasses
- Product Innovation: Meta Platforms announced the launch of its first artificial intelligence glasses on Tuesday, marking a significant advancement in the wearable tech space aimed at enhancing user experience and expanding market share.
- Market Positioning: The glasses integrate advanced AI technology, expected to attract tech enthusiasts and early adopters, thereby solidifying Meta's competitive position in the smart hardware market.
- Strategic Implications: By introducing this new product, Meta not only showcases its R&D capabilities in artificial intelligence but also potentially lays the groundwork for future product line expansions, driving overall company growth.
- Enhanced User Experience: The design of the new glasses aims to provide a more intuitive user interaction, expected to improve daily life experiences for users, thereby enhancing brand loyalty and attracting a broader user base.
See More
Meta Launches New Ray-Ban Smart Glasses with Prescription Options
- New Smart Glasses Launch: Meta has unveiled the new Ray-Ban Meta glasses starting at $499, which accommodate most prescription lenses, indicating the company's further expansion in the wearables market and likely attracting a broader consumer base.
- International Market Expansion: The new glasses will be available in the U.S. and select international markets, including Japan, Korea, Singapore, Chile, Colombia, and Peru, starting April 14, showcasing Meta's strategic positioning in global markets.
- Software Feature Enhancements: Meta is adding new functionalities to its smart glasses, such as nutrition tracking, hands-free WhatsApp summaries, and live translation across 20 languages, aimed at improving user experience and enhancing product competitiveness.
- Diversified Product Offerings: In addition to Ray-Ban Meta, Meta is expanding its Oakley Meta Vanguard and HSTN lines with new color and lens combinations, further enriching its product lineup to meet diverse consumer needs.
See More
Nvidia's $1 Trillion Backlog Signals Surge in AI Infrastructure Demand
- Staggering Order Volume: Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang announced a staggering $1 trillion order backlog expected by 2027, which not only highlights the immense potential of AI infrastructure demand but also provides the company with multi-year revenue visibility, significantly boosting investor confidence.
- Diverse Clientele: This order volume comes from major hyperscalers, cloud providers, and sovereign governments worldwide, indicating strong demand for Nvidia's GPUs and data center equipment, with deliveries anticipated over the next 12 to 24 months, thereby mitigating revenue risk for the company.
- High Margin Assurance: With these orders locked in at premium pricing, Nvidia's gross margin is expected to remain robust at 71.07%, ensuring not only short-term profitability but also laying a solid foundation for long-term growth.
- Valuation Appeal: Trading at a forward P/E ratio of approximately 22, near its lowest during the AI revolution, Nvidia's $1 trillion backlog suggests that market expectations for future growth may be overly conservative, presenting investors with increased upside opportunities in the early innings of the AI infrastructure era.
See More
Unilever in Talks to Merge with McCormick
- Merger Talks Progress: Unilever has confirmed it is in talks to merge with McCormick, with the deal expected to involve an upfront cash component of approximately $15.7 billion and the majority of consideration in McCormick equity, indicating strong interest in consolidation within the food industry.
- Stock Price Surge: Following the announcement, McCormick's shares rose over 3%, reflecting positive market expectations regarding the potential merger, which could enhance the company's competitive position and resource integration capabilities.
- Rating Upgrade Impact: Deutsche Bank upgraded Diageo from hold to buy, resulting in a nearly 3% stock price increase, as analysts noted that structural and cyclical headwinds in alcohol sales are already priced into the stock, indicating market confidence in its future performance.
- Strong Order Growth: Jefferies upgraded Amphenol from hold to buy, leading to a more than 2% increase in its stock price, with analysts highlighting strong order growth and solid margins, suggesting a positive outlook for the company's performance and growth potential.
See More
