Meta’s latest quarterly results shattered expectations, sending its stock soaring 12% to an all-time high. Revenue jumped 21% to $47.5 billion, while earnings per share surged 38% to $7.14, fueled by artificial intelligence (AI) advancements. The company doubled its capital expenditures to over $30 billion, with much of it directed toward AI research. User growth also impressed, reaching 3.5 billion globally, while ad revenue per user climbed thanks to AI-powered optimizations. Meta’s aggressive talent acquisition strategy—including a $200 million deal to poach a top AI researcher from a rival—underscores its commitment to dominating the field.
Superintelligence Ambitions and Market Dominance
CEO Mark Zuckerberg envisions "personal superintelligence for everyone," with early AI systems already showing self-improvement capabilities. The tech giant plans to invest $66 billion in 2025, primarily in AI data centers, as its algorithms boost user engagement—5% more time spent on Facebook and 6% more on Instagram. Despite Reality Labs’ $4.5 billion loss in VR, Meta’s ad business remains a cash cow, accounting for 98% of revenue. Analysts have raised price targets, with JPMorgan forecasting $875 per share. As competitors scramble to catch up, Meta’s AI-first strategy is already paying off.
