Summary
Meta Platforms, Inc.'s (META) 2017 10-K filing highlights robust financial performance driven primarily by its advertising business. The company reported significant year-over-year revenue growth of 47%, reaching $40.65 billion, with advertising revenue accounting for approximately 98% of total revenue. Daily Active Users (DAUs) and Monthly Active Users (MAUs) both saw a 14% year-over-year increase, demonstrating continued user engagement across its core platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Despite strong revenue growth, Meta also reported substantial investments in research and development, infrastructure, and long-term initiatives such as AI and VR/AR. The company faces ongoing risks related to competition, regulatory scrutiny (particularly with the impending GDPR), data privacy, and user retention. Investors should note the significant control held by CEO Mark Zuckerberg due to the dual-class stock structure and the company's policy of not paying dividends, signaling a focus on reinvestment for future growth.
Financial Highlights
51 data points| Revenue | $40.65B |
| Cost of Revenue | $5.45B |
| Gross Profit | $35.20B |
| R&D Expenses | $7.75B |
| Operating Expenses | $20.45B |
| Operating Income | $20.20B |
| Interest Expense | $6.00M |
| Net Income | $15.93B |
| EPS (Basic) | $5.49 |
| EPS (Diluted) | $5.39 |
| Shares Outstanding (Basic) | 2.90B |
| Shares Outstanding (Diluted) | 2.96B |
Key Highlights
- 1Total revenue for 2017 was $40.65 billion, a 47% increase year-over-year, primarily driven by advertising.
- 2Daily Active Users (DAUs) averaged 1.40 billion in December 2017, a 14% increase year-over-year.
- 3Monthly Active Users (MAUs) reached 2.13 billion as of December 31, 2017, a 14% increase year-over-year.
- 4Advertising revenue represented approximately 98% of total revenue in 2017.
- 5Research and development expenses were $7.75 billion in 2017, reflecting significant investment in product development and future technologies.
- 6The company ended 2017 with substantial cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities totaling $41.71 billion.
- 7Significant risk factors include intense competition, evolving privacy regulations (like GDPR), user retention, and reliance on advertising revenue.