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Business Insider
4 hours ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Wall Street is bullish on Meta's Q2 performance ahead of its earnings report: 'One of the best AI opportunity stocks'
It's Meta's time to shine. The Facebook parent is on deck to report earnings for the second quarter after the closing bell on Wednesday, and Wall Street analysts are feeling bullish on the tech giant's coming results. Analysts are expecting the company to report $44.7 billion in revenue for the last three-month period, compared to $42.3 billion in revenue for the first quarter. Earnings per share are expected to come in at $5.86, according to Bloomberg data. Wall Street has increasingly come to see Meta as a key AI play, with the company on track to roll out two major data centers and profit from AI-driven advertising on its platforms. Earlier in the year, the company also said it would spend up to $65 billion in capex as AI becomes a central growth strategy to the company. Here's what analysts are saying about the stock ahead of its next earnings report. Bank of America: "Top Online ad stock" Analysts at Bank of America said they expect Meta to beat consensus estimates for second-quarter earnings, pointing to positive checks they conducted on Meta's advertising business. Revenue could come in around $45.5 billion, they estimated, at the higher end of Meta's guidance for the quarter. In a note earlier this month, analysts called Meta a "Top Online ad stock" in 2025. That's because the company looks best-positioned to reap the benefits from AI-driven advertising, they wrote, which they believe could support a higher valuation for the stock. But Meta's AI spending could be an issue. "Expense risk on reports that Meta has ramped up AI hiring, and capex spend is the biggest concern into the print," analysts wrote last week, adding that they expected the company's total headcount to rise 2% for the quarter. Analysts reiterated their "Buy" rating on the stock. Earlier this month, they lifted their price target to $775 from $765, which implies 8% upside from the stock's current levels. Oppenheimer: Ads are a bullish factor Oppenheimer lifted its revenue outlook for Meta through the rest of 2025. Revenue could climb 4% in the second quarter, 9% in the third quarter, and 3% in the fourth quarter, analysts wrote in a note last month, citing the reduced risk of a tariff-induced recession as well as an improved outlook for the online ad market. Still, Oppenheimer said it saw a handful of key risks looming over the stock. Here are some of the potential headwinds they see: Meta could struggle to innovate its AI features. "Scout" and Maverick," the company's latest AI models for Llama 4, "have dramatically trailed peers," Oppenheimer said. Investors could sell Meta stock to divert proceeds to new tech IPOs. Meta's ads could become less effective if privacy restrictions make it difficult for the company to track user data The company faces competition from the likes of Google, Microsoft, Pinterest, Twitter, and TikTok. Oppenheimer reiterated its "Outperform" rating on the stock and lifted its price target to $775 a share, implying 8% upside from current levels. Needham: 'We expect META to over-deliver' Needham had a mixed view of Meta headed into its second-quarter earnings. On the one hand, the firm's analysts upgraded their rating for the stock from "Underperform" to "Hold," citing two positive catalysts: Rising revenue. "Based on our channel checks, we expect META to over-deliver on our prior rev and margin estimates for 2Q25 and FY 25," the analysts said, estimating that Meta would post 14% revenue growth and 6% earnings per share growth for the year. High productivity. Meta's business could be more productive than other mega-cap tech firms, with the company scoring the highest on free cash flow relative to labor costs in 2024. Still, analysts see a handful of risks ahead that held them back from rating the stock as a "buy." Risks include pressure on Meta's margins and free-cash flow, potentially higher-than-expected total labor costs due to stock-based compensation, and Meta's use of several strategies in its business, which "wastes capital and adds risks," analysts said. Citizens: Capex could climb past $90 billion next year Meta could lift its capital expenditures even higher as it ploughs more money into its AI and superintelligence projects, analysts at Citizens wrote in a note. "With Meta making material investments in its superintelligence team, including researchers and compute, we believe the company is going through a significant investment cycle and we expect 2026 CapEx to surprise the Street as Meta builds multiple 1GQ or greater data centers," they said, estimating capex could come in around $91 billion next year. Stocks typically don't benefit when a company is going through an investment cycle, analysts said. But the situation could be different for Meta, as AI can enhance the ad experience for users. "To that end, we believe more compute and access to better models can help sustain revenue growth and we moderately increase our growth estimates for Meta," analysts said. The firm reiterated its "Market Outperform" rating and $750 price target on the stock, implying 5% upside from current levels. CFRA Research: Hiring, ad spending, AI in focus Angelo Zino, an analyst at CFRA Research, wrote this month that investors will likely be most interested in three things heading into Meta's earnings call: The implications of the company's recent " AI hiring spree." The health of Meta's ad spending across its social media platforms. The company's monetization of AI and other growth initiatives. Still, Zino said he expects Meta to meet its expected revenue targets for the second and third quarters, largely due to increased stability in the digital ad market. Meta's ad impressions could see an increase of around 5%-6%, while the average price per ad could rise 9%-10% in both the second and third quarters, Zino said. CFRA reiterated its "Buy" rating on the stock and lifted its price target to $800 from $750, implying 12% upside from current levels.
Metro
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
I had high hopes for adult summer camp
Standing in the middle of the Kent countryside, I hung back as grown adults wearing Scout uniforms, animal ears and fluffy tails congregated around the fire pit. Amidst the sea of blue, green, yellow, and red, camp leaders psyched up the crowd with chants for their various teams, ready for the grown up version of school house games. A long line formed as we paraded through the forest, following a brass band. Then we entered the arena, each corner flanked by a giant flag of a woodland mascot. Everyone scrambled for a place to perch, eagerly waiting for the games to begin – a random assortment of competitions, including one that involved dangling a carrot into a blindfolded stranger's mouth using a fishing rod. The atmosphere was buzzing. Electric, even. It then dawned on me that I was witnessing the realisation of a childhood fantasy come true – to attend a summer camp. It took three nights spent in the forest for me to realise that maybe I'd expected a bit too much. I personally blame this desire to go to a summer camp on being raised on films like The Parent Trap and Addams Family Values. I wanted to make up handshakes, make friends for life, and do each other's hair, just like the films (sans the whole secret twin thing and getting my ears pierced with an apple.) As a child who needed constant stimulation, I was desperate to be shipped off for weeks on end so I could dabble in an assortment of adventure sports, crafts, and survival skills. This fascination with summer camps didn't subside as I left childhood behind. Attending one was on every wishlist I made. But when adolescence hit, I suffered from depression and became introverted. My survival strategy was to hide. It was only through a random Google search one day that I accidentally stumbled across a summer camp for adults. Over the course of a weekend in the forest, campers could try out new activities and adventures by day then party into the night. Starting at just under £300 for an elementary weekend ticket, over 100 activities were on offer, including free drop-in events like hot-air balloon rides. There would be live bands, talks and comedians. I booked almost instantaneously. Initially, I planned to go with my best friend, but she had to cancel at the last minute. I decided I still wanted to go alone, and when I set off for the bank holiday weekend, I was full of high hopes for s'mores, silly games, and songs around the campfire. But it didn't all go to plan. Although the camp had made some accommodations by providing a designated camping area for solos, by late afternoon on the first day, large groups of existing friends had also started pitching their tents in the same spot. I had hoped by pitching my tent in this section of the camp that it would have been easier to bond with solo attendees like myself, as well as being a bit quieter. Then, during the aforementioned games that first evening, I felt quite shy to get involved so I just watched from the side. I made my way to the board games tent, but it was already heaving. I felt a bit pathetic that I was intimidated and couldn't just ask if I could join in. Defeated, I sat by the firepit alone for a while. I soon returned to my tent, putting my social awkwardness down to first-night nerves. By the end of the weekend, however, it had become clear that the reason summer camps are perfect for children is because they are generally less inhibited than adults. As a child, I would have thrown myself in head first, introducing myself to others and been content to make the most of my time at the camp. Unfortunately, that is not who I am now, though. It's hard to embody the confidence of a child when you've grown and been taught not to be so self-assured. Still, I tried again to get stuck in. I awoke early the next morning to grab some breakfast – and much-needed coffee – from the food vendors, before making my way to my first scheduled activity of the day. It was raining heavily but everyone seemed to be in good spirits. Despite the weather, I managed to squeeze in an array of different activities. Some of the crafty ones I really enjoyed – nipple-tassel making, printmaking, and hammering dead flowers into fabric. I particularly loved getting to down shots of tequila at a 9am cocktail-making class. This is where I really thrived because the activities were in small groups and we all had a shared purpose of being there, so it was much easier to talk with one another. Other activities, however, quickly confirmed my incompetence: I struggled to light a fire, make a flower headdress, and the terrazzo coaster I made cracked in half. I couldn't say I shared the same enthusiasm for the evening events. With the exception of a talk about dopamine dressing (using fashion to boost your mood) and the talent show, I found myself retreating to my tent early each evening, grappling with social anxiety, while others around me partied hard. I hated that I couldn't get myself to do things that seemed to come to others so effortlessly. By Monday morning, I was relieved to be going home. I felt deflated and fell into a depressive slump for weeks. Everyone else seemed to be posting pictures and comments about what an amazing time they had, but I felt anything but. More Trending My self-esteem took a further battering when I posted a couple of suggestions in the camp's Facebook group about how they could make things a bit more welcoming for solo attendees – particularly those of us on the shyer side. While some campers were sympathetic and even expressed that they had felt lonely too, others were hurtful; comments ranged from criticising my ability to put myself out there to suggesting that I should get therapy. My adult summer camp didn't quite live up to my expectations, though that was no fault of the camp. There were clearly a lot of people who were able to let their inner child run amok without reticence. But for me it was a stark reminder of how different I am to the child I once was. I just don't have the same confidence or stamina that I once did. Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing Share your views in the comments below. MORE: Hotel worker almost trampled by 'stampede' of guests rushing for sunbeds MORE: I escaped my ex – now our 8-year-old son is the one being abused MORE: Is it safe to travel to Greece? 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Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
General Hospital spoilers: Will Trina expose Kai's betrayal or give him a second chance? Tense confrontation ahead
Thursday's episode of General Hospital promises emotional conversations, major confrontations, and new revelations. Trina is unwilling to stay silent, Elizabeth reconnects with someone from her past, and Scout finally gets time with a loved one she barely sees. There's a lot unfolding in Port Charles, and everyone seems to be at a crossroads. Trina takes a firm stand Trina isn't ready to let things slide when it comes to Kai. According to Thursday's teasers, she's still upset that he told Drew what her parents were doing about Jacinda. Trina views that move as a betrayal—especially since Kai didn't have the full picture. To make it worse, he barely knows the real Drew Cain. So, what comes next? Another confrontation between Trina and Kai could be brewing, and it may not end well. Will Kai explain his side, or has Trina already made up her mind? Marco's life hangs in the balance as Sonny and Sidwell's truce is put to the test. Click to watch today's thrilling, new #GH - RIGHT NOW! ⤵️ #GeneralHospital Willow and Scout share a rare moment Though Willow and Scout live under the same roof, they've barely spent time on screen together. That's changing, as the two sit down for a meaningful conversation. The question is—will this talk lead to a deeper bond between them? While that unfolds, Drew comes face-to-face with Alexis. She doesn't mince words, especially when it comes to family. Alexis might want answers—about Drew's move to D.C., whether Scout is getting enough attention, and if Danny and Rocco are still part of her life. WATCH: Liesl spends an active afternoon with James that proves unsettling for Spinelli... to say the least. 🪓 #GH Nina plots her next move & an unexpected reunion Elsewhere, Nina seems determined to take drastic action. Whether she wants to stop Drew or ruin the upcoming wedding, she's got limited time. She could've acted earlier, but now, every moment counts. How far is Nina willing to go? Meanwhile, Elizabeth meets Obrecht again. The last time they were on good terms, things took a turn when Liesl broke things off with Scotty over his support for Elizabeth during the Hook saga. Does this reunion mean a clean slate—or just politeness?Port Charles is brimming with emotional tension, and everyone's next step could change everything.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Alabama State University Partners with Scout to Empower Student-Athletes with Financial Tools and Support
First SWAC institution to adopt Scout's full platform — bringing innovation, impact, and long-term empowerment to a proud HBCU community. MONTGOMERY, Ala., July 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Alabama State University is continuing its tradition of leadership in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), becoming the first program in the conference to partner with Scout, a financial technology company committed to athlete empowerment and education. Through this collaboration, Alabama State will offer its student-athletes Scout's full suite of services, including revenue-share distribution, cap management tools, personalized financial literacy training, and a secure mobile wallet app to help players manage taxes, savings, LLC formation, and more. But the partnership goes beyond product delivery — it represents a shared commitment to equity, access, and long-term opportunity. "We are excited to partner with Scout, a thought leader in the NIL space." Said Dr. Jason Cable VP & Director of Athletics. "As we enter the new landscape of Division 1 Athletics, it is important that we align with innovative partners that provide seamless solutions to student-athlete benefits. Scout is one of the best in the business in doing just that." Head Football Coach Eddie Robinson Jr. added, "We want our guys to win on the field and in life. That means building a foundation they can carry with them for decades — and that's exactly what Scout brings to the table." "As an HBCU, Alabama State stands for excellence, legacy, and empowerment — and at Scout, we see ourselves as partners in that mission," said Michael Haddix, CEO and Founder of Scout. "We're proud to be working with ASU to bring innovation to a storied conference, while supporting the athletes and departments that make it all possible." "We look at NIL differently at Scout — for us, it means Name, Image… Lifetime." About ScoutScout is an innovative financial technology company built specifically for athletes. Combining education, one-on-one support, and a mobile app, Scout helps student-athletes navigate taxes, savings, LLC formation, and investment planning. Its customizable revenue distribution platform serves athletic departments, coaches, and athletes in today's evolving college sports environment. Learn more at Media Inquiries: media@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Scout
Associated Press
6 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Alabama State University Partners with Scout to Empower Student-Athletes with Financial Tools and Support
First SWAC institution to adopt Scout's full platform — bringing innovation, impact, and long-term empowerment to a proud HBCU community. MONTGOMERY, Ala., July 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Alabama State University is continuing its tradition of leadership in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), becoming the first program in the conference to partner with Scout, a financial technology company committed to athlete empowerment and education. Through this collaboration, Alabama State will offer its student-athletes Scout's full suite of services, including revenue-share distribution, cap management tools, personalized financial literacy training, and a secure mobile wallet app to help players manage taxes, savings, LLC formation, and more. But the partnership goes beyond product delivery — it represents a shared commitment to equity, access, and long-term opportunity. 'We are excited to partner with Scout, a thought leader in the NIL space.' Said Dr. Jason Cable VP & Director of Athletics. 'As we enter the new landscape of Division 1 Athletics, it is important that we align with innovative partners that provide seamless solutions to student-athlete benefits. Scout is one of the best in the business in doing just that.' Head Football Coach Eddie Robinson Jr. added, 'We want our guys to win on the field and in life. That means building a foundation they can carry with them for decades — and that's exactly what Scout brings to the table.' 'As an HBCU, Alabama State stands for excellence, legacy, and empowerment — and at Scout, we see ourselves as partners in that mission,' said Michael Haddix, CEO and Founder of Scout. 'We're proud to be working with ASU to bring innovation to a storied conference, while supporting the athletes and departments that make it all possible.' 'We look at NIL differently at Scout — for us, it means Name, Image… Lifetime.' About Scout Scout is an innovative financial technology company built specifically for athletes. Combining education, one-on-one support, and a mobile app, Scout helps student-athletes navigate taxes, savings, LLC formation, and investment planning. Its customizable revenue distribution platform serves athletic departments, coaches, and athletes in today's evolving college sports environment. Learn more at Media Inquiries: [email protected] View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Scout
