Meta Platforms: An Uphill Battle Towards Magnificence Meta Platforms: An Uphill Battle Towards Magnificence

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Are the halcyon days fading? Tesla has plunged nearly 45% from its peak, while Apple and Nvidia are down 15% and 10%, respectively.

Despite this, not all “Magnificent Seven” stocks are on a downward trajectory. Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META) has recently hit an all-time high and, according to four Wall Street analysts, could potentially soar even higher.

Meta’s Roaring Comeback

It wasn’t long ago when investors had little faith in Meta. In 2022, the company’s earnings growth was lackluster, and skepticism loomed large. The disastrous quarterly report in February 2022 caused Meta’s stock to plummet by 26%, wiping out $251 billion from its market cap, setting a record for the biggest one-day loss. By November 2022, Meta’s shares were down 75% from their previous high.

However, the tides turned. Since hitting rock bottom in late 2022, Meta’s stock has skyrocketed by over 450% and is up nearly 49% since the beginning of this year.

What sparked this turnaround? The age-old drivers of stock success: robust earnings growth, promising future prospects, and the transformative impact of generative AI in the market.

Meta’s Bright Future

Will Meta’s triumphant march continue? Four analysts seem to think so.

Jefferies raised their 12-month price target on Meta to $585 from $550, while RBC lifted theirs to $600 from $565, signaling a potential upside of 14%. Wells Fargo and First Shanghai also set their price targets at $600 for Meta, currently trading at around $526 per share.

Jefferies analysts are particularly bullish on Meta, citing numerous advantages that the company possesses.

Should Investors Jump In?

Wall Street analysts cannot predict the future any better than the average investor. While short-term gains are uncertain, the long-term outlook for Meta seems promising.

Meta’s resilience is evident, with 2.11 billion daily active users on Facebook in December 2023 and a total of 3.19 billion across all Meta platforms. The company continues to monetize this vast user base successfully.

Moreover, Meta’s innovative ventures like AI-integrated smart glasses and plans for artificial general intelligence (AGI) hint at a dynamic future.

While short-term fluctuations may occur, Meta’s long-term trajectory appears positive, making it a potential standout investment.

Final Thoughts on Meta Platforms

Before diving into Meta Platforms, consider this:

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Wells Fargo is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Randi Zuckerberg, a former director of market development and spokeswoman for Facebook and sister to Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Keith Speights has positions in Amazon, Apple, and Meta Platforms. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon, Apple, Jefferies Financial Group, Meta Platforms, Nvidia, and Tesla. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

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