We recently compiled a list of the ChatGPT Stock Advice: 10 Recent Stock Recommendations. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ:META) stands against the other stocks recommended by ChatGPT.
ChatGPT has quickly become an essential tool for both professional and personal use, thanks to its human-like responses. Analysts are also exploring its potential for stock picking, using criteria like low P/E ratios to find undervalued stocks. While some question the reliability of ChatGPT for providing accurate and up-to-date information, a study from the University of Florida suggests that ChatGPT can predict stock price movements more accurately than some basic analysis models.
OpenAI recently made a major leap by launching GPT-4o, a new AI model, alongside a desktop version of ChatGPT and an updated user interface. This update brings GPT-4 to all users, including those on the free tier, with enhanced speed and capabilities in text, video, and audio. The “o” in GPT-4o stands for “omni,” indicating its ability to support 50 languages and be available via APIs, allowing developers to start building applications with the new model right away.
The S&P 500 and NASDAQ are on track for their tenth consecutive positive session, driven by the same bullish factors that have propelled the market throughout the year. Inflation continues to trend downward, raising expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates in September. This potential for rate cuts supports the market by fostering conditions that could lead to a soft economic landing.
Ed Clissold, Ned Davis Research chief U.S. strategist, told CNBC that quarterly earnings growth has consistently accelerated over the past few quarters, with Q2 showing strong results and Q3 expected to follow suit. This steady growth suggests no significant changes in the underlying market thesis, keeping investor sentiment positive.
Despite the recent volatility seen in August, which was partly driven by a spike in market uncertainty and liquidity issues, analysts do not expect this to carry over into September. The possibility of rate cuts by the Fed is providing a solid foundation for the market, though there are some concerns about elevated earnings estimates for Q3 and the upcoming election.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average is close to an all-time high, with stocks like Travelers, Boeing, and 3M leading the charge. Analysts predict a broad market advance, with potential for catch-up in sectors that have lagged behind this year. As interest rates are likely to come down, the market rally could broaden beyond just AI and mega-cap growth stocks.
Looking ahead to next week, key economic data will be in focus, including PCE data on Friday and consumer spending insights on Tuesday. Investors are hoping for “Goldilocks” economic data—not too hot, not too cold—that would confirm the Fed’s rate cut path without signaling an economic downturn. The market favors moderate economic growth, which would support continued stock market gains.
In a world overwhelmed by information, ChatGPT offers a solution for investors. Its natural language processing capabilities allow it to sift through vast amounts of data and provide concise, actionable summaries, helping investors make informed decisions. By reducing information costs and democratizing financial knowledge, ChatGPT is becoming an invaluable tool for individual investors.
Our Methodology
For this article we prompted ChatGPT multiple times to recommend stocks, based on the data as of its knowledge cutoff date. ChatGPT recommended 10 stocks based on “historical trends” and the “market landscape” from various sectors which have “substantial” potential over the next few years. We shortlisted the stocks that were recommended the most and then further selected the ones that were the most widely held by hedge funds. We have sorted these stocks based on the number of hedge fund investors as of Q2 2024.
Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ:META)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 219
Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ: META) recently exceeded analyst expectations in its latest quarterly earnings, signaling that its significant investment in AI is beginning to pay off and could lead to even more positive outcomes in the future. In response, Citi expressed an “incrementally positive” outlook on Meta’s shares, citing improved user engagement, monetization, and expanding profit margins. As a result, Citi raised its price target for META from $550 to $580.
JPMorgan also highlighted the benefits of AI for Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ: META) at three key levels: enhancements to its core Family of Apps (FoA), new opportunities and user experiences, and the scaling of the Metaverse. Consequently, JPMorgan raised its price target for META from $480 to $610. Additionally, Morgan Stanley praised Meta’s advancements in its recommendation systems and overall quality through AI improvements.
While the market has been cautious about Meta’s substantial AI spending, the company aims to leverage AI to enhance user interactions, improve engagement, and better monetize its vast user base of 3.2 billion daily active users. With a robust free cash flow margin of around 30%, Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ: META) is on track to generate $50 billion in free cash flow this year, which would place the stock at approximately 26 times this year’s free cash flow. If this growth continues, Meta could achieve $58 billion in free cash flow by next year, reducing the stock’s valuation to 21 times next year’s free cash flow.
With a strong financial position, including $35 billion in net cash, a massive user base, and a leading role in the AI-driven consumer market, Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ: META) is positioned as a solid long-term investment opportunity.
Overall META ranks 3rd on our list of ChatGPT’s recent stock recommendations. While we acknowledge the potential of META as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than META but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, heck out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.