Meta Platforms, Inc. (META)

Sector: Communication Services|Industry: Internet Content & Information|Market Cap: $1.50T|Employees: 67.3K


Meta Platforms, Inc. operates as a social technology company worldwide. Its primary revenue stream comes from selling advertising placements on its family of apps, including Facebook and Instagram, to marketers, enabling them to reach people based on various marketing objectives.

  1. Filings
  2. Company Profile

Business Summary

Meta Platforms, Inc.'s mission is to empower individuals to build communities and connect globally. The company's diverse product portfolio includes Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, WhatsApp, and Threads, each designed to facilitate social interaction, content sharing, and communication across various devices. Meta is also investing in immersive technologies like augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) to shape the metaverse, which they believe is the future of social technology. Additionally, Meta leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance user experience and platform functionality. The company operates in two segments: Family of Apps (FoA) and Reality Labs (RL). FoA generates substantially all of Meta's current revenue through advertising placements on its family of apps. RL focuses on developing AR/VR technologies and hardware, including Meta Quest devices and Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses.

Meta faces competition from various companies offering similar online services, advertising platforms, and consumer hardware. The company is also subject to evolving regulations related to privacy, data usage, and content moderation. Despite these challenges, Meta continues to invest in innovation and user engagement to maintain its market position and drive future growth.

Key Statistics

  • Employees: 67,317 (as of December 31, 2023)
  • Geographic Footprint: Offices in approximately 90 cities globally; Data centers in 21 locations.
  • Headquarters: Menlo Park, California
  • Founded: 2004
  • Number of locations/facilities: Offices in approximately 90 cities and 21 data centers globally
  • Revenue: $134.90 billion (FY2023)
  • Market Capitalization: $637 billion (as of June 30, 2023)
  • Key Subsidiaries/Brands: Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, WhatsApp, Threads, Oculus, Meta Quest

Leadership

  • CEO & Chairman: Mark Zuckerberg
  • CFO: Susan Li
  • Chief Accounting Officer: Aaron Anderson

Other key executives and board members are listed in the company's filings. Detailed professional backgrounds and tenures are not provided in the 10-K.

Key Financial Metrics

  • Annual Revenue: $134.90 billion (FY2023)
  • Net Income: $39.10 billion (FY2023)
  • Market Cap: $637 billion (as of June 30, 2023)
  • Total Assets: $229.62 billion (FY2023)
  • Key Financial Highlights: 16% YoY revenue growth, 62% YoY increase in income from operations, $28.10 billion in capital expenditures.

Products and Services

Meta Platforms, Inc. offers a range of products and services primarily focused on social technology and communication:

  • Social Networking Platforms:
    • Facebook: A platform for connecting with friends, family, and communities, sharing life updates, and discovering content.
    • Instagram: A platform for visual storytelling and connection through photos, videos, and messaging.
    • Threads: A platform for text-based updates and public conversations.
  • Messaging Applications:
    • Messenger: A messaging app for connecting with individuals and businesses across platforms.
    • WhatsApp: A simple, reliable, and secure messaging app for private communication and transactions.
  • Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR) Products and Services:
    • Meta Quest: VR headsets and software for immersive gaming, fitness, and social experiences.
    • Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses: AR glasses with features like Meta AI and livestreaming.
    • Meta Horizon Worlds: A social VR platform for interacting and creating virtual experiences.
    • Meta Spark: A platform for creating AR experiences.

Key Business Segments

Meta Platforms, Inc. operates in two segments:

  • Family of Apps (FoA): Includes Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, WhatsApp, and other services. Generates revenue primarily through advertising.
  • Reality Labs (RL): Focuses on AR/VR technologies and hardware, including Meta Quest devices and Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses. Generates revenue from hardware sales, software, and content.

The 10-K does not provide a detailed revenue breakdown by segment, but notes that FoA generates substantially all of the company's current revenue.

Business Strategy

Meta Platforms, Inc.'s current strategy centers around six key investment areas: AI, the metaverse, discovery engine, monetization, regulatory readiness, and developer efficiency. The company prioritizes AI development across its products and services, including content ranking, ad targeting, and generative AI experiences. Meta is heavily investing in the metaverse, focusing on AR/VR technology, neural interfaces, and social platforms. The company aims to enhance its discovery engine to recommend relevant content and improve monetization strategies. Meta is also committed to regulatory compliance and improving developer tools for efficient product development.

The company's long-term goals include establishing the metaverse as the next computing platform and driving innovation in social technology. Meta's growth strategy involves expanding its user base, increasing engagement, and developing new revenue streams through AR/VR products and services. The company recognizes the long-term nature of these investments and expects continued losses in the RL segment for the foreseeable future.

Industry Context

Meta Platforms, Inc. operates in the highly competitive and rapidly evolving technology industry. The company's primary industry is social technology, encompassing social networking, messaging, and online communication. Key market trends affecting the business include the growth of short-form video content, the rise of immersive technologies like AR/VR, and increasing regulatory scrutiny regarding data privacy and content moderation. Meta faces competition from established players and emerging platforms, including TikTok and other social media companies. The company also competes with advertising platforms and consumer hardware developers. Market share information is not explicitly provided in the 10-K.

Risk Factors

  • User Engagement and Retention: Meta's business relies heavily on user growth and engagement, which can be affected by competition, evolving user preferences, and the company's ability to introduce engaging features and products.
  • Advertising Revenue Dependence: Substantially all of Meta's revenue comes from advertising, making the company vulnerable to changes in marketer spending, competition from other advertising platforms, and the effectiveness of its ad targeting and measurement tools.
  • Metaverse Investments: Meta's significant investments in the metaverse are long-term and may not yield expected returns. The development of the metaverse ecosystem is uncertain, and the company faces challenges in developing and marketing AR/VR technologies and hardware.
  • Government Regulation: Meta is subject to complex and evolving regulations related to privacy, data usage, and content moderation, which can impact its operations, financial results, and reputation.
  • Security Breaches and Data Misuse: The company's vast user base and data collection practices make it a target for security breaches and data misuse, which could harm its reputation and lead to financial losses.

Last Updated

2024-02-01

(Generated from latest 10-K filing)