Meta Stock Holds Upside Potential as Analysts Cut Price Targets

Core Viewpoint - Analysts have been reducing their price targets for Meta Platforms, with an average decrease of 14% since early April, primarily due to concerns over new tariff policies impacting the business [1][2]. Price Target and Analyst Ratings - Despite the lowered price targets, analysts maintain a Buy or Overweight rating for Meta, indicating a potential upside of over 23% compared to the stock's closing price on April 14 [2]. - The current price target averages $690.79, suggesting a 35.75$508.86 [10]. Impact of Tariffs - Tariffs have a limited direct impact on Meta, as the majority of its revenue comes from advertising, which is not tariff-affected. However, costs related to virtual reality hardware and data center buildouts could be negatively impacted [3][4]. - The indirect effects of tariffs may be more damaging, as increased costs for companies could lead to reduced advertising budgets, directly affecting Meta's revenue [5]. Specific Advertising Revenue Concerns - Meta derives significant advertising revenue from platforms like Temu and Shein, which may face increased costs due to the removal of the de minimis exemption, leading to a potential decrease in their advertising spend [6][7]. - Analysts estimate that Temu and Shein contribute 2% to 4% of Meta's overall ad revenue, with 11% of Meta's Family of Apps revenue coming from Chinese companies in 2024 [7][8]. Competitive Positioning - Meta may outperform other advertising platforms during periods of reduced spending, as advertisers are less likely to cut budgets for Meta and Google Search, which are seen as effective platforms for ad spending [9]. - Meta captured 21.3% of total ad spending, significantly higher than YouTube's 5.6%, indicating a strong preference among marketers for Meta's advertising effectiveness [11].