Meta Reports Strong Q4 Earnings but Offers Cautious Revenue Outlook

Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:META) exceeded Wall Street expectations with its fourth-quarter earnings but issued a revenue forecast for Q1 2025 that slightly missed analyst estimates.

For Q4 2024, Meta reported earnings of $8.02 per share on revenue of $48.39 billion, surpassing analyst projections of $6.73 per share on $47.03 billion in revenue. The company’s family daily active people (DAP) reached 3.35 billion in December, marking a 5% year-over-year increase.

Despite the strong quarter, Meta’s Q1 2025 revenue guidance of $39.5 billion to $41.8 billion—midpoint at $40.65 billion—fell just below the expected $41.64 billion. The company cited increased infrastructure investments and AI development as key expenditure drivers.

For the full year, Meta forecasts total expenses between $114 billion and $119 billion. Capital expenditures are projected at $60 billion to $65 billion, underscoring the company’s focus on generative AI and expanding its core business.

Following the report, Meta stock traded near the flatline in after-hours trading.