Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META) delivered first-quarter results that surpassed expectations and issued an optimistic revenue outlook for the current quarter, easing concerns about a potential slowdown in artificial intelligence demand. Shares rose more than 6% in pre-market trading on Thursday.
The tech giant reported earnings per share (EPS) of $6.43 on revenue of $42.31 billion, well ahead of analyst forecasts of $5.24 and $41.48 billion, respectively. Engagement across Meta’s platforms remained strong, with average daily active users (DAUs) across its family of apps reaching 3.43 billion in March, a 5% increase from the same period last year.
Looking ahead, Meta guided for second-quarter revenue between $42.5 billion and $45.5 billion, surpassing consensus estimates of $43.81 billion.
The company also raised its 2025 capital expenditure forecast to between $64 billion and $72 billion, up from its previous outlook of $60 billion to $65 billion. The revised guidance reflects increased investment in data centers and infrastructure to support AI initiatives.
At the same time, Meta slightly lowered its full-year expense guidance, now projecting total costs between $113 billion and $118 billion, compared to the prior range of $114 billion to $119 billion.
The strong results come as Meta faces regulatory scrutiny, including a trial in Washington where the Federal Trade Commission seeks to unwind its past acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp.
As of the latest update, Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META) shares are up 629%, trading at $583.52.
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David Kirakosyan is a seasoned financial journalist with nearly a decade of hands-on experience in covering the U.S. stock markets. Since 2016, he has written thousands of equity news articles, detailed market analyses, and investment insights for trusted platforms like Benzinga, Investing.com, and StreetInsider. David holds a Master of Science in Finance and is a Level 2 CFA® candidate, reflecting his deep commitment to financial expertise and ethical standards. His reporting combines real-world market experience with a strong academic foundation, helping readers make informed decisions backed by reliable information. Read Full Bio
