Meta Platforms (META) Stock Decline Driven by Tariff Concerns

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Mar 13, 2025
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Shares of Meta Platforms (META, Financial) experienced a decline with a price change of -3.87%. This movement stemmed from market anxieties regarding potential tariffs, following updates from the Trump administration. President Trump's announcement of a possible 200% tariff on alcoholic beverages from the European Union, in response to the EU's 50% tariff on whisky, further fueled these concerns.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent commented on CNBC, emphasizing that the focus remains on the real economy, dismissing any worry about short-term volatility. The market volatility highlights the intricacies of international trade relations and their potential impacts on broader economic conditions.

Analyzing the financial data of Meta Platforms, Inc. (META, Financial), the company holds a market capitalization of approximately $1.51 trillion with a P/E ratio of 24.9. The GF Value, which is a proprietary valuation from GuruFocus, suggests that the stock is significantly overvalued. Detailed analysis can be found on the GF Value page.

Despite recent market fluctuations, META exhibits several strengths. The company has a strong financial position, indicated by a Piotroski F-Score of 7, suggesting a healthy financial situation. Additionally, the Altman Z-Score of 12.34 highlights a low risk of bankruptcy, reinforcing the company's robust financial health.

Meta's robust revenue growth, driven by its vast "Family of Apps" including Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp, demonstrates predictable growth patterns. However, the firm faces challenges, such as a declining operating margin over the past five years, where the average rate of decline per year is -1.7%.

Insider activity shows significant selling, with 83 insider selling transactions and no buying in the past three months, involving the sale of over 1.45 million shares. Such activity can sometimes indicate insider perspectives on the stock's valuation.

Despite current market challenges, Meta Platforms (META, Financial) continues to be an influential player within the Communication Services sector. Investors should weigh both the external market pressures and Meta's internal financial health when considering investments.

Disclosures

I/We may personally own shares in some of the companies mentioned above. However, those positions are not material to either the company or to my/our portfolios.