Meta’s Head Spins as Metaverse Burns! Back to ‘Train Wreck’

MetaversePlanet October 30, 2022Last Updated: August 14, 2024

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Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has been making headlines recently due to its significant investments in virtual reality and its active steps in developing the metaverse, aiming to integrate the virtual world into our daily lives.

However, these developments have led to some setbacks for the company. As a result of these challenges, analysts have characterized Meta’s current situation as a ‘train wreck.’

Meta hits four-year low

Meta's Head Spins as Metaverse Burns! Back to 'Train Wreck' — Meta’s Head Spins as Metaverse Burns! Back to ‘Train Wreck’

Meta reported a decrease in its quarterly revenue, followed by a substantial loss of about a quarter of its market value on Thursday, marking a 24 percent decline. This drop brought the company’s value to its lowest level in four years. Analysts have described Meta’s consecutive declines as a ‘train wreck.’

These setbacks come despite CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s rebranding of the company to ‘Meta’ in 2021 to highlight Facebook’s focus on the metaverse. Last autumn, Facebook appeared to be on an upward trajectory, but the current situation suggests a reversal.

In September 2021, the company’s market cap reached a peak of more than $1 trillion, with advertisers heavily investing in Facebook and Instagram to reach billions of users, thereby boosting profits. However, this year has been challenging for the technology industry at large, with Meta’s stock plunging 67 percent compared to the previous year.

As of Thursday’s reports, Meta’s market cap had fallen to $268 billion, a stark contrast to its over $1 trillion valuation in September 2021. This decline is attributed not only to the metaverse project but also to a slowdown in the core Facebook business, compounded by a slowing economy and reduced advertising spending.

Analyst Dan Ives commented on the decline, stating, “Meta’s results last night were an absolute train wreck, highlighting the broader challenges in digital advertising as Zuckerberg and Co. have made risky and significant bets on the metaverse.” What are your thoughts on Meta’s decline? Do you believe Meta can recover and increase its market value? Feel free to share your opinions in the comments section!