One Wall Street Analyst Predicts Meta Platforms to Drop to $360: Time to Sell?

Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META) has enjoyed significant success over the past year and a half. However, the stock recently experienced a downturn following its April earnings report.

Despite exceeding analyst expectations in terms of revenue and profit, investors reacted negatively to Meta's plans to boost capital spending and operating expenses for AI and other strategic initiatives. Additionally, its second-quarter revenue guidance fell slightly short of expectations, resulting in an almost 11% decline in the stock price.

Now, a Wall Street analyst believes Meta is a sell.

Exane BNP Paribas Advises Against Meta Last week, Exane BNP Paribas began coverage of Meta Platforms with an underperform rating and a price target of $360, indicating a potential 24% decrease from current prices.

Analyst Stefan Slowinski noted Meta's increased spending on AI alongside a new revenue stream, suggesting that other "Magnificent Seven" stocks are better positioned to capitalize on generative AI technology.

Déjà Vu with the Metaverse? Like other major tech players such as Alphabet, Meta benefits from a highly profitable advertising business on its social media platform. This success allows the company to venture into experimental areas like the metaverse and now AI.

However, the metaverse has proven costly, with Meta reporting an operating loss of nearly $4 billion in the first quarter. While its social media segment remains robust, overly focusing on a technology that isn't yet fully profitable raises valid concerns among investors.

If Meta's stock drops to $360 in a year and the company achieves the expected $20.75 per share in earnings (as per S&P Global Market Intelligence), it would yield a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.3. This is lower than the current ratio of around 27 but still higher than its initial year as Meta.

Maintaining disciplined spending could lead to a successful outcome for Meta's stock. However, investors are wary of repeating the metaverse's financial drain.

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Alphabet executive Suzanne Frey and former Facebook director Randi Zuckerberg are both members of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Jeremy Bowman holds positions in Meta Platforms. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet and Meta Platforms, adhering to a disclosure policy.

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