Meta Platforms Inc.
American multinational technology conglomerate that owns and operates Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and other social media and technology platforms.
Company Type
public
Founded
2004
Headquarters
Menlo Park, California, USA
Stock
NASDAQ: META
About Meta Platforms Inc.
Meta delivered exceptional Q4 2025 results with revenue of $59.89 billion, up 24% year-over-year, exceeding Wall Street expectations. The company's full-year 2025 revenue reached $200.97 billion, up 22% from the previous year. Net income for Q4 2025 was $22.77 billion, up 9% year-over-year, with diluted earnings per share of $8.88.
The company's advertising business continued strong growth, with ad revenue reaching $58.14 billion in Q4 2025, up 24% year-over-year. This growth came from both increased ad impressions (up 18%) and higher average price per ad (up 6%). Meta's Family of Apps reached 3.58 billion daily active people, up 7% year-over-year.
Meta announced massive AI infrastructure investments for 2026, with capital expenditures expected to range between $115-135 billion, nearly doubling the $72 billion spent in 2025. The company expects total 2026 expenses of $162-169 billion, with most increases coming from infrastructure costs and investments in technical talent, particularly in AI.
Reality Labs continued to be a significant investment area, losing $6.02 billion in Q4 2025 and $19.19 billion for the full year. However, Meta is repositioning Reality Labs from pure metaverse focus to AI-powered smart glasses and experiences that could integrate with existing apps.
History of Meta Platforms Inc.
Meta Platforms was founded on February 4, 2004, by Mark Zuckerberg and his Harvard College roommates Eduardo Saverin, Andrew McCollum, Dustin Moskovitz, and Chris Hughes. Originally launched as "The Facebook" as a social networking site for Harvard students, the platform quickly expanded to other universities and eventually to the general public.
The company was renamed Facebook in 2005 and moved its headquarters to Palo Alto, California. Throughout the late 2000s and 2010s, Facebook grew rapidly through user acquisition and strategic acquisitions. Key acquisitions included Instagram (2012) for $1 billion and WhatsApp (2014) for $19 billion, which significantly expanded the company's mobile messaging and photo-sharing capabilities.
Facebook went public on May 18, 2012, at $38 per share, with one of the largest technology IPOs in history. The company continued to grow its user base and revenue through advertising and expanded into new technologies.
In October 2021, Facebook announced its rebranding to Meta Platforms Inc., reflecting the company's focus on building the metaverse and expanding beyond social media. The rebranding emphasized Meta's investments in virtual reality (Oculus/Meta Quest), augmented reality, and other immersive technologies.
Throughout 2022-2025, Meta faced significant challenges including declining revenue growth, increased competition, and major investments in artificial intelligence and metaverse technologies. The company underwent significant restructuring and layoffs while continuing to invest heavily in AI research and development.
Brands Owned by Meta Platforms Inc.
Meta Platforms Inc. owns 4 brands in our database.
Owned by Meta Platforms Inc.
American social media platform and social networking service, flagship product of Meta Platforms Inc.
social-medianetworkingadvertising
Owned by Meta Platforms Inc.
American photo and video sharing social networking service, subsidiary of Meta Platforms Inc.
photo-sharingsocial-mediavideo-sharing
Threads
Owned by Meta Platforms Inc.
Social networking service developed by Meta Platforms for sharing text updates and participating in public conversations.
social-mediamicrobloggingsocial-networking
Owned by Meta Platforms Inc.
American cross-platform instant messaging and voice-over-IP service owned by Meta Platforms, allowing users to send text messages, voice calls, and share media.
messagingsocial-mediacommunication
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Stock Information
Meta Platforms Inc. Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Market leadership in social media and messaging with 3.58B daily active users
- +Exceptional Q4 2025 financial performance with $59.89B revenue (up 24% YoY)
- +Massive AI infrastructure investment of $115-135B for 2026 positioning for future growth
- +Strong advertising business with sophisticated AI-powered targeting capabilities
- +Extensive data assets and user insights for AI development and personalization
- +Control over own AI models and technology stack providing competitive advantages
- +Strong brand recognition and network effects across multiple platforms
Considerations
- -Regulatory scrutiny over privacy practices, market dominance, and content moderation
- -Reality Labs operating losses of $19.19B annually requiring continued investment
- -Heavy reliance on advertising revenue making it vulnerable to economic cycles
- -Intense competition from emerging social platforms and messaging applications
- -Significant capital expenditure requirements for AI infrastructure and data centers
- -Balance between innovation acceleration and regulatory compliance requirements
- -Organizational restructuring challenges during AI transformation
Frequently Asked Questions About Meta Platforms Inc.
Is Meta a subsidiary of another company?
No, Meta is an independent, publicly traded corporation with no parent company. The company operates independently with its own management structure and board of directors, though Mark Zuckerberg maintains significant control through special voting shares.
Is Meta publicly traded?
Yes, Meta is publicly traded on the NASDAQ stock exchange under the ticker symbol META. The company has been publicly traded since its IPO in 2012, initially under the ticker symbol FB before changing to META in 2021.
When was Meta founded?
Meta was founded on February 4, 2004, as "The Facebook" by Mark Zuckerberg and his Harvard roommates. The company was renamed Facebook in 2005 and rebranded to Meta Platforms Inc. in October 2021.
What were Meta's Q4 2025 financial results?
Meta reported Q4 2025 revenue of $59.89 billion (up 24% YoY), net income of $22.77 billion (up 9% YoY), and diluted earnings per share of $8.88 (up 11% YoY). The company's Family of Apps reached 3.58 billion daily active people, up 7% year-over-year.
Who is Meta's current CEO?
Mark Zuckerberg has served as CEO since Meta's founding in 2004. He remains the largest individual shareholder and maintains control through special voting shares, directing the company's strategic vision for AI, metaverse technologies, and social platforms.
What is Meta's AI investment strategy?
Meta is investing $115-135 billion in 2026 capital expenditures primarily for AI infrastructure. The company builds and controls its own AI models rather than relying on third parties, enabling greater control over product experiences. Meta's AI strategy focuses on personal superintelligence, AI-powered advertising, and transforming how employees work through AI-native tools.
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