Meta Platforms (META) saw its stock receive a series of price target hikes from top analysts ahead of its fourth-quarter earnings release, which is set for late January 29. The positive revisions from Wedbush, CWEB, and BofA Global Securities signal growing confidence in Meta’s future performance, particularly as the company continues to ramp up investments in artificial intelligence and data infrastructure.

Analyst Upgrades:

• Wedbush analysts maintained their outperform rating for Meta, raising their price target from $680 to $700, citing strong “positive momentum into 2025” for the company. Lead analyst Scott Devitt highlighted improved investor sentiment as Meta positions itself for a solid year ahead, particularly in AI-driven initiatives.
• BofA Global Securities also raised their price target for Meta, increasing their estimate from $660 to $710, reaffirming their buy rating on the stock. Analyst Justin Post pointed to the company’s 65% stock price gain in 2024, which outperformed the broader market and rival companies like Alphabet (GOOGL), which gained 35%. Post emphasized Meta’s strong revenue growth, cost discipline, and increasing contributions from AI to ad revenues as key drivers of its momentum.
• CWEB, a financial analyst group, also joined in with a more favorable outlook, increasing their target on Meta as the company continues to leverage AI and maintain strong cost controls while expanding its revenue streams.

Strong Q4 and 2025 Focus: Meta’s stock is up a fraction in early trading, sitting at $627.66, as analysts eagerly await the company’s Q4 results. Consensus estimates project a 27% increase in earnings to $6.75 per share, with revenue expected to rise by 17% year-over-year to $46.98 billion.

While investors are optimistic about the earnings report, Wedbush’s Devitt notes that much of the attention is shifting toward 2025—specifically Meta’s capital expenditure (CapEx) plans. The company has already ramped up its CapEx to support the building of data centers critical to Meta’s expanding AI capabilities. Investors are looking for guidance on capital expenditures of around $51.4 billion in 2025, marking a 31% increase from what Meta is projected to have spent in 2024.

Devitt highlighted that CapEx estimates for 2025 have risen by 9% since Meta’s third-quarter report in October, and by 42% from the previous year, reflecting growing expectations of Meta’s investment in its AI and infrastructure projects. He emphasized that any surprise regarding Meta’s CapEx guidance could have a significant impact on the company’s stock performance.

The AI Make-or-Break Moment: As Meta continues to invest billions into AI, analysts, including Wedbush and CWEB, view this as a pivotal moment for the company. Meta’s ability to scale its AI initiatives effectively will likely play a crucial role in its future growth, especially as it positions itself to better compete with tech giants like Google and Amazon in the advertising and AI-driven services space. The company’s ability to manage its capital expenditures and optimize returns on AI investments will be key to sustaining investor confidence and driving future earnings growth.

Looking Ahead to 2025: As Meta prepares for its earnings announcement, analysts are also focused on the company’s broader strategy for 2025. With significant investments in AI and data infrastructure, combined with a track record of cost discipline, the company appears well-positioned to continue its growth trajectory. The focus on AI is particularly critical, as it will determine how well Meta capitalizes on its advertising model and expands into new revenue streams.

With price target hikes from Wedbush, CWEB, and BofA, and an increased focus on Meta’s 2025 capital expenditures, the company is expected to enter the new year with strong backing from analysts and investors. However, much depends on Meta’s ability to manage its AI investments and guide investors effectively through its CapEx plans.

Conclusion: As Meta readies itself for its Q4 earnings report, analysts are bullish on the company’s prospects for 2025, driven by its expanding AI investments and solid revenue growth. With upgrades from Wedbush, CWEB, and BofA, Meta is set to enter the new year with a strong investor base eager to see how its capital expenditures and AI initiatives play out.

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