New York, Jan 23, 2026, 04:47 EST — Premarket
- Meta shares barely moved in premarket trading following a solid finish on Thursday
- Meta announced that Threads will roll out ads worldwide beginning next week
- Investors are eyeing the Jan. 28 earnings report for insight into spending and fresh revenue sources
Meta Platforms shares slipped roughly 0.1% in premarket trading Friday, following a 5.7% rally the day before. That surge shifted attention to fresh ad inventory and how much Wall Street is willing to bear on Meta’s AI spending.
Timing is crucial. Meta is set to release its results next week, and traders are weighing if new revenue drivers like Threads, WhatsApp, and AI ad tools can keep up with increasing spending.
The question grows more pointed as the “Magnificent Seven” megacaps approach a busy earnings season, with the index’s gains increasingly tied to just a few stocks.
Threads could spark some short-term movement. Meta announced Wednesday it’s rolling out ads on the app to everyone worldwide starting next week, though the rollout will be gradual. The company warned that ad delivery will stay “low” at first as it ramps up. TechCrunch
Jefferies analyst Brent Thill kept his “Buy” rating and $910 price target on Meta, pointing out the stock’s valuation appears undervalued compared to key rivals. He highlighted an “8-turn” gap in the price-to-earnings multiple, a standard measure comparing stock price to earnings. TipRanks
Headlines haven’t been smooth all week. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission announced plans to appeal a ruling that tossed out its antitrust case aimed at breaking up Meta’s acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp, injecting fresh uncertainty into the company’s future setup.
A different filing revealed that Meta COO Javier Olivan offloaded 517 shares on Jan. 20, each fetching $608.35. The sale was executed under a Rule 10b5-1 plan, a pre-set trading arrangement for executives to sell stock on a fixed timetable.
Thursday saw a broader appetite for risk push Wall Street’s key indexes higher for a second day in a row. That followed President Donald Trump backing off tariff threats on European allies. Investors are also gearing up for a busy earnings season from top tech firms.
But the risks remain. Meta has flagged higher capital expenditure ahead as it ramps up its artificial-intelligence infrastructure. That could pressure margins if advertising growth slows or if new products take longer to turn a profit.
Investors will get their next major update soon. Meta plans to release its Q4 and full-year 2025 earnings on Jan. 28, followed by a call at 1:30 p.m. PST (4:30 p.m. EST).
