Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META) Receives Analyst Upgrade

Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META) is set to report first-quarter 2025 results on April 30. Ahead of the release, the stock is trading at $532.16, down over 18% year-to-date. Concerns about a pullback in ad spending and rising AI infrastructure costs had weighed heavily on investor sentiment. However, robust engagement trends and a notably cheaper 16x EV/EBIT valuation have prompted a shift in outlook. The stock has been upgraded from Sell to Hold.

Despite macroeconomic challenges and regulatory fines from the EU, analysts maintain a positive long-term view. Benchmark’s Mark Zgutowicz cut his price target to $640 from $820 but reaffirmed a Buy rating. He highlighted Meta’s long-term strength in U.S. digital ad markets and its disciplined capital allocation.

Similarly, Stifel’s Mark Kelley reduced his target to $628, citing cautiousness in the e-commerce and subscriptions space. He acknowledged market discomfort reminiscent of the COVID-19 era.

Meanwhile, Monness’s Brian White maintained a Buy rating with a $775 target, projecting Q1 revenue of $41.73 billion and earnings of $5.54 per share. Analysts, on average, expect EPS of $5.24 and revenue of $41.3 billion, suggesting double-digit growth. The stock holds a Strong Buy consensus from Wall Street. Out of 46 analysts, 42 rate it Buy, three Hold, and one Sell. The average price target of $705 implies a potential 35.5% upside from current levels.

Technical Analysis

META has rebounded sharply off a key ascending trendline support that dates back to April 2024. The recent recovery from around $475 coincided with the ascending trendline. The price has been bullish overall, as seen from the 200-day moving average at $408.64.

Price is now about to reclaim both the 100-day ($549.11) and 50-day ($601.58) moving averages. The chart indicates a possible near-term pullback followed by a push toward the $740.91 high. Volume is currently at 44.25 million shares, suggesting rising interest.