Mark Zuckerberg’s empire is once again brushing the stars of Wall Street. After a surge of 11% in its share price at the end of July, Meta came within touching distance of the $2 trillion market cap milestone—just $56 million short. For investors, the latest earnings report was not only strong but also forward-looking, and that was enough to send analysts scrambling to revise their targets upwards. From JPMorgan to Stifel and Evercore ISI, recommendations have turned bullish, while HSBC even switched from “hold” to “buy,” aiming for a share price of $900.
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In short, Zuckerberg has been handed what looks very much like a blank check to keep pushing his vision of the digital future.
Record-breaking quarter and a TikTok blow
The numbers speak volumes. Between April and June, Meta reported revenues of $47.5 billion, a 22% jump compared to last year. Advertising prices rose by 9%, suggesting not just resilience but growth in the face of fierce competition. Bloomberg Intelligence noted that Meta seems to have grabbed a chunk of market share away from TikTok—a small but telling sign that the original social media giant is far from fading.
Even more impressive, the company’s operating margin climbed to 43%, up from 38% a year ago. Analysts at Evercore ISI underlined that this was a record level for a second quarter in at least three years. Net profit followed suit, reaching $18.3 billion, a whopping 36% increase.
For investors, these figures are not just encouraging—they’re proof that Meta has rediscovered its swagger.
The price of ambition
The renewed faith in Meta isn’t just about past performance. Markets are clearly betting on what’s next: artificial intelligence tools woven into Instagram and Facebook, messaging platforms becoming revenue machines, and, of course, the long-term gamble on the metaverse.
Sceptics haven’t forgotten the billions poured into Reality Labs with limited visible payoff, but investors appear to believe the core business is so robust that it can fund Zuckerberg’s experiments without jeopardising profitability. As one seasoned trader put it, “Meta could spend years chasing its sci-fi dreams, and with results like these, Wall Street will let him.”
A company with momentum to spare
For now, Meta looks like a company with wind in its sails. Stronger-than-expected results, rising ad prices, and clear gains against rivals have reassured shareholders that this is not a fading tech giant but one firmly on the front foot.
Whether the metaverse eventually becomes the next big thing or just an expensive detour remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: with nearly two trillion dollars in market value and a quarter that shattered expectations, Zuckerberg has earned the freedom to keep experimenting.
And in Silicon Valley, that kind of freedom is the most precious currency of all.
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Felix Marlowe manages Belles and Gals’ vibrant social media platforms. With expertise in social engagement and viral marketing, Felix creates content that sparks conversation and keeps followers coming back for more. From celebrity news to trending challenges, Felix makes sure our social media stays at the forefront of pop culture.
