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Key Takeaways
- Meta Platforms is expected to post sharp year-over-year increases in both top- and bottom-line figures for the fourth quarter when it reports results on Thursday after the stock market closes.
- The company engaged in a “year of efficiency” in 2023 in which it laid off large groups of employees and aimed to reduce costs.
- Meta’s advertising business has surged while monthly active people, a measure of the user base of its suite of products, has grown at a robust pace.
- More than three dozen states sued Meta in October for allegedly using tactics to ensnare children and deceiving users about the safety of its products.
Meta Platforms (META) will announce fourth-quarter results after markets close on Feb. 1, and analysts predict that the Facebook parent will post strong improvement in earnings per share (EPS)and revenue as advertising remains strong and the company integrates artificial intelligence (AI) technology into its existing—and now leaner—operations.
According to analyst consensus compiled by Visible Alpha, Meta is forecast to report diluted EPS of $4.90 for the final quarter of 2023, versus $1.76 in the prior-year quarter. Net income is pegged at $12.89 billion, also up significantly from $4.65 billion a year ago.
Revenue is expected to come in at $38.9 billion, up 21% from $32.2 billion in the last quarter of 2022. This growth is driven primarily by Meta’s advertising revenue, which analysts expect to rise to $37.92 billion and hit a record high for the third consecutive quarter.
| Meta Key Stats | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst Estimates for Q4 2023 | Q3 2023 | Q4 2022 | |
| Revenue | $38.9 billion | $34.1 billion | $32.2 billion |
| Earnings Per Share (Diluted) | $4.90 | $4.39 | $1.76 |
| Net Income ($B) | $12.89 billlion | $11.58 billion | $4.65 billion |
Key Metric: Monthly Active People
Meta defines monthly active people (MAP) as users who visited at least one of Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp within a month-long period of measurement. This is as opposed to monthly active users (MAU), which includes users active only on Facebook or Messenger.
Growing its MAP base is essential for Meta to continue to garner new interest and revenue from advertisers. It is also a general reflection of the health of the company’s overall suite of social media products and services.
Analysts expect Q4 MAP figures to reach 3.97 billion, eking out a record high for the company and an improvement of more than 6% year-over-year. Growth in MAP has accelerated in recent quarters, likely in part because of Meta’s integration of AI capabilities into its pre-existing offerings. Rather than launch a new AI-based product, Meta has so far opted to enhance its existing lineup with new AI features and tools.
Business Spotlight
Despite Meta’s success in the last several quarters, the company is also under intense scrutiny over the way it engages with users. In October, more than 30 states sued the company over allegedly unfairly ensnaring children and deceiving users about the safety of its offerings.
Meta shares have skyrocketed in the last year, climbing by about 170%.