Meta Platforms (META) Reportedly Held Acquisition Talks with Perplexity AI
Meta Platforms (META) reportedly held acquisition talks with Perplexity AI, an artificial intelligence search startup, before ultimately deciding to invest heavily in another AI company, Scale AI. According to Bloomberg, the discussions between Meta and Perplexity did not result in a deal, and both companies walked away without pursuing the acquisition. Neither Meta nor Perplexity have commented publicly on the matter.
Confident Investing Starts Here:
Easily unpack a company's performance with TipRanks' new KPI Data for smart investment decisions
Receive undervalued, market resilient stocks right to your inbox with TipRanks' Smart Value Newsletter
Instead, Meta announced earlier this month that it would invest $14.3 billion in Scale AI, which allowed it to acquire a 49% stake in the company and value it at over $29 billion. As part of the deal, Scale's CEO Alexandr Wang will join Meta to lead its new 'superintelligence' division, which focuses on developing artificial general intelligence (AGI). For context, AGI refers to AI systems that can understand, learn, and apply knowledge across a wide range of tasks at a human-like level of intelligence. This move highlights Meta's shift toward building more advanced AI systems that go beyond narrow task-based models.
Founded in 2016, Scale AI helps train generative AI models by connecting them with a large network of human experts. Meta's significant investment in the company shows that CEO Mark Zuckerberg is determined to strengthen the company's position in the AI market. And Zuckerberg is not the only one, as many other tech giants have invested heavily in AI startups ever since Microsoft's blockbuster deal with OpenAI in 2023.
Is Meta a Buy, Sell, or Hold?
Turning to Wall Street, analysts have a Strong Buy consensus rating on META stock based on 42 Buys, three Holds, and one Sell assigned in the past three months, as indicated by the graphic below. Furthermore, the average META price target of $707.16 per share implies that shares are almost fairly valued.
See more META analyst ratings
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Globe and Mail
2 hours ago
- Globe and Mail
Is BigBear.ai Stock a Buy Now?
The hot artificial intelligence (AI) market has birthed a number of high-flying AI stocks. One of these is (NYSE: BBAI). The company's share price soared more than 200% over the past 12 months through June 18. The stock hit a 52-week high of $10.36 in February after President Donald Trump announced Project Stargate, which aims to invest billions of dollars into the AI sector. Since then, stock is down more than 50% from its peak. Does this present an opportunity to scoop up the company's shares for cheap? Why shares plummeted A confluence of factors led to the decline in stock this year. One is Wall Street's concerns about the unpredictable macroeconomic environment, exacerbated by the Trump administration's tariff approach. On top of that, the federal government is cutting budgets. This is worrying because delivers AI solutions centered around national security and infrastructure. Consequently, the bulk of company revenue comes from federal government contracts. Adding to this mix, in March, disclosed a material weakness in its internal controls for financial reporting, contributing to the company's share price decline. As a result, the company restated the last few years' worth of financial statements. While unrelated, CFO Julie Peffer departed in June. This wasn't 2025's only leadership change. In January, gained a new CEO, Kevin McAleenan, who had served as Acting Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security during President Trump's first term. financial picture leadership changes may be a good outcome over the long run. McAleenan's experience with the previous Trump administration could help survive the government budget cuts. In addition, under the previous CEO, the company fell short of its 2024 goal to achieve at least $165 million in sales, coming in at $158.2 million last year. With McAleenan taking over, perhaps can meet its 2025 full-year revenue target, which ranges between $160 million and $180 million. He will have to succeed to win shareholder confidence in his leadership. It's too early to tell if McAleenan can deliver, since he only has the first quarter under his belt. brought in $34.8 million in Q1 sales, a 5% year-over-year increase. However, the company's balance sheet includes a sizable chunk of debt. Of its $198.5 million in total Q1 liabilities, $101.4 million was debt. Q1 total assets were 396.3 million with $107.6 million of that in cash and equivalents. Moreover, despite year-over-year sales growth, is not profitable. It exited Q1 with a net loss of $62 million. Deciding whether to buy stock It's not uncommon for tech companies to operate at a loss, but in these cases, you want to see sales growing rapidly. With just a 5% year-over-year increase in Q1 revenue, is not achieving strong growth, especially for the hot field of artificial intelligence. This raises questions about the company's ability to capture customers, let alone eventually achieve profitability. stock valuation is another factor to consider. The price-to-sales (P/S) ratio is useful for this purpose, since it measures how much investors are willing to pay for every dollar of revenue. This metric is commonly used with companies that aren't profitable. Comparing it to artificial intelligence leader Nvidia, as well as a competitor also operating in the government AI sector, helps to understand share price valuation. Data by YCharts. The chart shows P/S multiple is the lowest of the three AI companies, and it's down significantly from where it was at in February. This suggests shares are attractively valued. However, Nvidia and warrant higher valuations because of their business performance. For example, Nvidia's revenue rose 69% year over year to $44.1 billion in its fiscal Q1, ended April 27. Meanwhile, revenue of $108.7 million in its fiscal fourth quarter, ended April 30, represented a 26% year-over-year increase. mediocre AI revenue growth, debt, and the factors that led to its share price decline this year means investing in the company is risky. As a result, it's best to hold off buying. Instead, watch its business performance over the next few quarters to see if it can strengthen sales before reconsidering stock. Should you invest $1,000 in right now? Before you buy stock in consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $664,089!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $881,731!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor 's total average return is994% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to172%for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of June 9, 2025
Globe and Mail
3 hours ago
- Globe and Mail
President Trump's Plan to End Taxes on Overtime Pay Could Become Reality Sooner Than You Think
President Trump made a lot of attention-grabbing promises during his campaign for a second term, and in his five months since retaking office, he's met with varying degrees of success in enacting them. Ending taxes on Social Security benefits, for example, appears no nearer than it was on Trump's first day in office. But he's made considerable headway with some of his other agenda items, including ending taxes on overtime pay. We could see this enacted yet this year, but there are still some important details to be ironed out. The "One, Big, Beautiful Bill" could end taxes on overtime as soon as this year House Republicans recently drafted the "One, Big, Beautiful Bill" that incorporates several of President Trump's key campaign promises, like an end to taxes on tips and overtime pay. It would create an above-the-line deduction for these items, so you wouldn't owe any income taxes on them. The House version of the bill clarifies that the tax deduction for overtime pay would apply only to overtime compensation that is paid to an individual in excess of the regular rate they receive for their work. This deduction wouldn't be available to highly compensated employees (HCEs) and those without a work-eligible Social Security number. The bill narrowly passed the House, and lawmakers initially hoped it would make it to the president's desk by July 4, 2025. But the Senate is determined to make its mark on the legislation as well, and at least some senators, like Ron Johnson (R-WI), feel the July 4 deadline isn't realistic. The Senate is already making changes The Senate's version of the "One, Big, Beautiful Bill" isn't finalized yet, but we've already had a peek at some of the changes it hopes to make. While the general idea of no taxes on overtime pay remains in the latest version of the bill, the Senate has added one important restriction. The tax deduction for overtime pay would be limited to $12,500 per person or $25,000 for married couples filing a joint return. While this should be adequate for most people, it may be disappointing if you earn a lot of money from overtime. The House version of the bill didn't have any restrictions on the overtime tax deduction. There are also income phaseouts that reduce the deduction by $100 for every $1,000 your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) exceeds $150,000 for a single adult or $300,000 for a married couple. Individuals with MAGIs of $275,000 or more and married couples with MAGIs of $550,000 or more wouldn't be eligible to claim the deduction. It's not a done deal yet Senate Republicans can only afford to lose three Republican votes if they want the bill to pass, and right now, there are several who are voicing concerns about the bill in its current state. This means that it likely won't be passed in the next couple of weeks at least. There isn't a vote scheduled currently. If it does pass, the overtime tax deduction will take effect for the 2025 tax year, according to the current bill. However, it would only remain in place through the 2028 tax year. After that, it would be up to lawmakers to decide whether to continue the deduction or not. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook If you're like most Americans, you're a few years (or more) behind on your retirement savings. But a handful of little-known "Social Security secrets" could help ensure a boost in your retirement income. One easy trick could pay you as much as $23,760 more... each year! Once you learn how to maximize your Social Security benefits, we think you could retire confidently with the peace of mind we're all after. Join Stock Advisor to learn more about these strategies.
Globe and Mail
4 hours ago
- Globe and Mail
This Global REIT Is Riding Asia's AI Wave Straight to the Bank
Equinix (NASDAQ: EQIX) is a powerhouse in digital infrastructure and part of a new class of innovative real estate investment trusts (REITs) laying the groundwork to become the future of real estate investing. It has a strong history of capitalizing on international technology trends that traditional REITs can't match. With a strategic expansion in Indonesia, Equinix is positioning itself for explosive growth, and Wall Street is beginning to take notice. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Learn More » Why this digital land grab is a big deal Asia is becoming the global epicenter of digital demand, and Indonesia is leading the charge. It's attracting major investments in cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and fintech. By entering the market early and scaling aggressively, Equinix is developing a strategic advantage that will be tough for competitors to match. Indonesia's data center market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8% to $3.79 billion through 2030. Cloud giants like Amazon Web Services and Alphabet 's Google Cloud have already announced major investments, but their platforms need physical infrastructure to function. That's what makes Equinix's expansion into Jakarta so strategic. Its newly opened data center is no ordinary server farm. Built to support intensive computing tasks like training and running AI systems, Equinix is creating the critical backbone necessary for digital business growth in Indonesia. This could make Equinix one of tech's most valuable players. The average analyst price target sees Equinix at $1,009, 10% percent higher than it currently sits, a nod to its forward-looking strategy and savvy market expansion. What gives Equinix the edge In addition to its Indonesian assets, Equinix operates 270 data centers across five continents and 35 countries. It has a great track record with its customers, retaining 98% of them. As of Q1 2025, Equinix reported over $2.1 billion in annual adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA). This strong combination of global scale, customer loyalty, and reliable earnings is exactly what sets the stage for Equinix's move into Jakarta to be a success. While it's not the highest-dividend REIT, Equinix pays investors 2% annually. But considering its growth trajectory looks more like a tech company than a traditional REIT, that's not too bad. The risks to watch Equinix does face potential pressures though. Their total capital expenditures for 2025 are projected between $3.4 billion and $3.7 billion, with non-recurring expenditures accounting for around 95% of that. This significant investment is partly due to the need to modernize legacy data centers to meet new levels of demand. While these upgrades are essential, they represent a substantial financial commitment that could impact short-term profitability. That said, Equinix ended Q1 2025 with roughly $2.95 billion in cash and cash equivalents and an ample $7.6 billion in total available liquidity. The balance sheet looks sturdy enough to fund expansion without putting shareholders at undue risk. Geopolitical tensions are also on the periphery of investor concerns. As Equinix operates globally, it must navigate regulatory, monetary, and political risks in emerging markets. But these risks appear to be well managed by the company's leadership, and its long-term leases, high renewal rates, and diversified customer base provide stability. It's time to stake your claim in the future of tech real estate Some investors still think REITs are too risky and don't deliver enough value. Those perceptions are often based on underperforming traditional sectors like retail or office space. That's where tech-powered REITs like Equinix come in. Gone are the days when investing in real estate meant buying a piece of something on the ground. Now you're buying into the cloud. Even in comparison to peers like Digital Realty, Equinix still stands out. It has a stronger international footprint, a more premium client base, and better historical uptime. If you're looking for a REIT that combines growth potential with resilience in the digital age, Equinix is arguably a top-tier pick. AI is only as powerful as the infrastructure behind it, and Equinix is building the digital backbone on which the future will run. Jakarta may just be one dot on the map, but it signals Equinix is putting itself at the forefront of the global shift. With recurring revenue, global scale, and a pioneering foothold in high-growth markets like Indonesia, this REIT could quietly become one of the most important tech stocks of the next decade. Investors looking to profit from AI's global expansion without the volatility of pure-play tech stocks may want to give Equinix a closer look. It might not be a flashy choice, but it's in a solid state and could be the smartest upgrade your portfolio makes this year. Should you invest $1,000 in Equinix right now? Before you buy stock in Equinix, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Equinix wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $664,089!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $881,731!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor 's total average return is994% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to172%for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of June 9, 2025 John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Philippa Main has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Amazon, Digital Realty Trust, and Equinix. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
