Meta Platforms (META) stock in focus as scam-ad probe and lawsuit hang over shares into 2026
NEW YORK, January 1, 2026, 09:47 ET — Market closed. Meta Platforms (META) shares were last down 0.9% at $660.09 from the prior close in the final session of 2025, after trading between $658.45 and $667.08. The stock came into focus as fresh legal and regulatory pressure built around scam advertising on Facebook and Instagram, a core revenue stream for the social media company. That matters now because ads account for most of Meta’s sales, and regulators are pushing platforms to verify who is paying for them. “Universal advertiser verification” means checking an advertiser’s identity before it can run ads