New York, January 10, 2026, 09:36 (ET) — Market closed
- Meta shares finished 1.1% higher at $653.06, following the company’s announcement of long-term nuclear power supply agreements
- Meta projected the package might generate as much as 6.6 gigawatts of power by 2035 while expanding its AI infrastructure
- Over the last two days, regulators in Europe and China have launched new investigations.
Meta Platforms announced 20-year deals to buy power from three Vistra nuclear plants and to collaborate on small modular reactors (SMRs) with Oklo and TerraPower. The company said the projects could deliver up to 6.6 gigawatts of nuclear energy by 2035. Executive Joel Kaplan described the move as making Meta “one of the most significant corporate purchasers of nuclear energy.” Meta’s shares last closed up 1.1% at $653.06, after swinging between $642.60 and $654.94. reuters.com
Power is suddenly front and center in the AI race. Running and training massive models demands huge amounts of electricity, pushing investors to see energy access as a major input cost instead of just an afterthought.
Meta’s main revenue engine remains advertising on Facebook and Instagram. Yet, what will really count going forward is the company’s spending strategy and whether its AI initiatives translate into improved ad results and stronger user engagement — more so than any single product announcement.
SMRs are marketed as compact nuclear units, mostly factory-made and quicker to roll out than conventional plants. It’s the promise—but the timeline is the gamble. Delays could transform a “secure supply” narrative into a protracted, expensive project.
In Europe, a European Commission spokesperson flagged that WhatsApp may soon face stricter online content rules. This follows WhatsApp Channels surpassing the user threshold set by the EU’s Digital Services Act, which demands larger platforms step up efforts against illegal and harmful content. The Channels reportedly hit an average of 51.7 million monthly active users in the EU during the first half of 2025, exceeding the 45 million mark, the spokesperson noted. Under the rules, companies risk fines up to 6% of their global annual revenue for breaches. “I wouldn’t exclude a future designation,” Thomas Regnier said at a briefing. reuters.com
China’s commerce ministry announced Thursday it will review Meta’s purchase of AI startup Manus. Spokesperson He Yadong emphasized companies must follow Chinese regulations on foreign investment, tech exports, cross-border data flows, and acquisitions. reuters.com
Europe handed a more market-friendly signal elsewhere. Sources close to the issue said Big Tech players like Meta, Alphabet’s Google, Microsoft, and Amazon will join a voluntary “best practices” framework. This won’t impose new binding rules but is part of the upcoming Digital Networks Act update. EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen is set to unveil details on January 20. reuters.com
The broader market lifted Friday as well. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq ended higher despite a weaker-than-expected U.S. jobs report, which barely dented bets on interest-rate cuts later this year. Investors stayed focused on the AI theme. “Investors are getting granular and picking the winners and losers,” said Zachary Hill, head of portfolio management at Horizon Investments. reuters.com
Traders will note the stock is hovering just under the session peak near $655. The initial key support lies near $643, while $650 stands out as a round-number level that often draws focus when volatility ramps up.
The risk is clear-cut. Fresh regulatory hurdles in Europe and China could trigger fines, force operational shifts, or stall deal approvals. Meanwhile, the nuclear expansion—particularly SMRs—faces potential snags from permitting issues, political pushback, and a sobering reassessment of project timelines.
Tuesday brings the U.S. CPI report for December 2025, set for release at 8:30 a.m. ET on January 13. This data often shifts rate expectations and moves high-multiple tech stocks. Meta hasn’t announced an earnings date on its investor site yet, but Wall Street Horizon shows a tentative January 28 post-close slot. Investors will be keen on any updates about ad demand and spending plans for 2026. Bureau of Labor Statistics
