“`html
Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META) won a significant legal victory against the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on November 18, 2025, allowing the company to retain ownership of Instagram and WhatsApp. The FTC had previously claimed that Meta’s acquisitions of these platforms were anti-competitive, posing a potential risk to Meta’s operations. Judge James Boasberg ruled that Meta does not currently hold a monopoly, as it faces substantial competition from platforms like TikTok.
The court’s decision alleviates potential threats to Meta’s revenue, particularly as Instagram is projected to account for over 53% of Meta’s U.S. advertising revenue by 2026, up from approximately 7% a decade ago. Meta’s WhatsApp, while currently generating around $2 billion, has an estimated total addressable market of $30 billion to $40 billion annually, highlighting its growth potential.
Following the verdict, Meta shares closed down 0.7%, reflecting market expectations of a favorable outcome. Over the past weeks, Meta’s stock has declined about 22%, though analysts remain optimistic, with a consensus price target suggesting potential upside of around 40% to 45%.
“`
