12 Most Widely Held Stocks by Individuals in 2025

3. Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 262

Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META) is a technology company focused on social media, digital advertising, AI, and VR/AR. It owns and operates major social networking platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger, generating revenue primarily through digital advertising. META is also developing the metaverse, investing in immersive technologies through its Reality Labs division, which produces VR/AR hardware like the Meta Quest headsets. Additionally, the company is expanding its AI capabilities, integrating advanced machine learning models into its platforms.

Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META) has established itself as a leader in generative AI, with a strong focus on infrastructure development and an investment of $60-65 billion this year, primarily dedicated to AI capabilities. The company’s Llama foundation model has gained significant traction, surpassing 800 million downloads and averaging 1 million downloads per day. Major platforms such as Zoom, Shopify, and Spotify have integrated Llama into their services, highlighting its broad adoption. Meanwhile, Meta AI has become the most widely used AI assistant, serving 700 million monthly users across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger. The company is also making substantial progress in business messaging, with WhatsApp playing a crucial role as a primary communication tool for businesses in key markets like Brazil, Mexico, and India.

In addition to AI, Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META) is advancing in custom silicon development through its MTIA initiative, successfully deploying inference for recommendations via the Artemis system, which enhances efficiency and reduces costs for ad and video delivery. The company’s Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses have demonstrated strong user retention, particularly for hands-free communication, music streaming, and AI-powered interactions. Rather than rushing AI development to meet short-term expectations, META is taking a strategic and measured approach, focusing on the organic discovery of use cases and practical applications. This long-term vision underscores the company’s commitment to sustainable innovation in AI and digital infrastructure.