01—Abstract
Summary
Summary of the 10-K filed January 28, 2016. Cited figures are marked; the original filing is the authoritative source.
Meta Platforms, Inc. (formerly Facebook, Inc.) filed its 2015 10-K report highlighting robust revenue growth and expanding user base.
The company demonstrated significant year-over-year increases in revenue, driven primarily by its advertising business, which represented a substantial majority of its total revenue. This growth was fueled by increased demand for ad inventory, a growing number of marketers utilizing its platform, and a strategic shift towards mobile advertising. The company's user metrics also showed strong performance, with substantial increases in daily and monthly active users, particularly on mobile devices.
Investments in next-generation services like Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp, alongside long-term innovation efforts in areas like virtual reality, underscore Meta's commitment to future growth and diversification beyond its core Facebook platform. Despite the strong financial and user growth, the report also details numerous risks and challenges. These include intense competition, reliance on advertising revenue, the complexities of operating in a rapidly evolving digital landscape, and the increasing regulatory scrutiny surrounding data privacy and security.
The company's significant investments in research and development and new initiatives, while strategic for long-term growth, also contribute to rising costs. Investors should note the company's stated intention to retain future earnings for business expansion rather than paying dividends.
02—Key points
Key Highlights
- Robust Revenue Growth: Total revenue reached $17.93 billion, a 44% increase year-over-year, driven primarily by advertising revenue which accounted for approximately 95% of total revenue.
- Expanding User Base: Daily active users (DAUs) reached 1.04 billion on average in December 2015 (up 17% YoY), with mobile DAUs showing even stronger growth at 934 million (up 25% YoY).
- Shift to Mobile Advertising: Mobile advertising revenue represented approximately 77% of total advertising revenue in 2015, up from 65% in 2014, indicating a successful pivot to mobile monetization.
- Significant R&D Investment: Research and development expenses increased substantially to $4.82 billion in 2015, reflecting ongoing investment in new products and technologies.
- Acquisitions Driving Growth: The company made significant acquisitions, including Oculus and WhatsApp, which are integrated into its strategy and contribute to its expanding portfolio of services.
- Strong Cash Flow Generation: Free cash flow was $6.08 billion in 2015, demonstrating the company's ability to generate substantial cash from operations.
- Diversification Efforts: Continued investment in next-generation services like Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp, alongside long-term innovation in areas such as VR and AI, signals a strategy to diversify revenue streams and maintain market leadership.
03—One dollar
Follow one dollar
Of each $1.00 of revenue in FY2015, Meta Platforms, Inc. kept $0.21.
- Revenue$17.93B100.0%
- Cost of revenue−$2.87B16.0%
- Gross profit$15.06B84.0%
- Operating costs−$8.84B49.3%
- Operating income$6.22B34.7%
- Interest, other & tax−$2.54B14.2%
- Net income$3.69B20.6%
Where FY2015 revenue went
$17.93B- R&D: $4.82B, 27% of revenue
- Other operating costs: $4.02B, 22% of revenue
- Net income: $3.69B, 21% of revenue
- Cost of revenue: $2.87B, 16% of revenue
- Interest, other & tax: $2.54B, 14% of revenue
Kept 21% as net income
Full revenue history →04—Financials
Financial Highlights
Figures from 10-KFY2015filed January 28, 2016Financial Statements
FY2015 against FY2014
| Line item | FY2015FY2014 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $17.93B$12.47B | +43.8% |
| Cost of Revenue | $2.87B$2.15B | +33.2% |
| Gross Profit | $15.06B$10.31B | +46.0% |
| R&D Expenses | $4.82B$2.67B | +80.6% |
| Operating Expenses | $11.70B$7.47B | +56.6% |
| Operating Income | $6.22B$4.99B | +24.6% |
| Interest Expense | $23.00M$23.00M | 0.0% |
| Net Income | $3.69B$2.94B | +25.4% |
| EPS (Basic) | $1.31$1.12 | +17.0% |
| EPS (Diluted) | $1.29$1.10 | +17.3% |
| Shares Outstanding (Basic) | 2.80B2.61B | +7.2% |
| Shares Outstanding (Diluted) | 2.85B2.66B | +7.1% |
05—Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Meta's primary source of revenue and how is it trending?
Meta's primary source of revenue is advertising, which constituted approximately 95% of its total revenue in 2015. Advertising revenue saw a significant increase of 49% year-over-year, reaching $17.08 billion. This growth was largely driven by increased demand for ad inventory and a successful shift towards mobile advertising.
How is user engagement and growth for Meta's core platforms like Facebook?
Meta experienced strong user growth and engagement across its platforms in 2015. Daily Active Users (DAUs) for Facebook averaged 1.04 billion in December 2015, a 17% increase year-over-year. Mobile DAUs saw even more substantial growth, increasing by 25% year-over-year. Monthly Active Users (MAUs) also grew by 14% to 1.59 billion.
What are Meta's key investments and growth areas beyond core Facebook?
Meta is investing heavily in its next-generation services, including Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp. Additionally, the company is focused on long-term innovation efforts such as connectivity initiatives, virtual reality (Oculus), and artificial intelligence research, indicating a strategic move towards diversification and future growth opportunities.
What are the main risks and challenges Meta faces according to the filing?
The company identifies several key risks, including intense competition from other technology companies, its significant reliance on advertising revenue, evolving regulatory landscapes concerning privacy and data security, and the potential for new technologies or platforms to disrupt its business. They also highlight the increasing costs associated with research and development and their expansion efforts.
06—Continue