Major Averages Close Broadly Higher After December Nonfarm Payrolls Report
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 09 2026
0mins
Should l Buy META?
The major averages closed broadly higher after the December nonfarm payrolls report. Stocks have shown resilience early in 2026 after a strong finish to 2025, but the run of gains had met headwinds earlier this week as investors considered cooling tech momentum and the labor data that could influence expectations for the Federal Reserve's policy path.Employers added 50,000 jobs in December, and the unemployment rate fell to 4.4%, but total job gains last year were the weakest since 2020.Looking to commodities, gold prices were surging past $4,500, with the "safe haven" asset getting closer to its record high. Oil prices also jumped, with the commodity up over 2% as traders listen for more news coming out of Venezuela.Get caught up quickly on the top news and calls moving stocks with these five Top Five lists.1. STOCK NEWS:Metaannouncedwith Okloand VistraIntelshares were on the rise after President Trump touted aJohnson & Johnsonreached an agreement with the Trump administration to "improve access to medicines and lower costs" of drugs for American patients, and announcedSoftBankand OpenAI areDecember U.S. nonfarm, with the unemployment rate falling to 4.4%2. WALL STREET CALLS:Wells FargoAirbnbto Equal Weight, citing two years of share underperformanceAdobeto Market Perform at BMO, sees lack of positive catalystsBairdGE Vernovato Neutral from OutperformMizuho alsoZillow Groupto Neutral from OutperformQualcommto Neutral at Mizuho, which sees headwinds to Qualcomm's handset shipments and iPhone content in 20263. AROUND THE WEB:Amazonis planning a big-box retail store in the Chicago suburbs, The Information reportsViswas Raghavan, head of banking at Citigroup, told Nikkei in an interview that the big bank has "significant investment plans for Japan," with particular interest in midsize companies amid an increase in M&ANvidiahas hired Alison Wagonfeld, a Googlemarketing executive, as Chief Marketing Officer, CMO, at the company, WSJ reportsRokuCEO and chairman Anthony Wood believes the first 100% AI-generated "hit movie" will debut within the next three years, Variety reportsNomura Securities reports that Sandiskis on track to double the price of its high-capacity 3D NAND memory devices for enterprise-grade solid-state drives this quarter, Toms Hardware reports4. MOVERS:CG Oncologyincreases after announcing it expects PIVOT-006 Phase 3Allogene Therapeuticsgains after Citizensthe stock to OutperformuniQurehigher in New York after announcing ascheduled with FDAAquestivelower after announcing thein its NDA for AnaphylmBeta Bionicsfalls after BofAthe stock to Neutral5. EARNINGS/GUIDANCELi Auto, with revenue lower year-over-yearCarter'sprovidedand FY25Evolusprovidedand narrowed its outlook for FY25AXT Inc.cut itsChipMOS, with EPS higher year-over-yearINDEXES:The Dow rose 237.96, or 0.48%, to 49,504.07, the Nasdaq gained 222.86, or 0.95%, to 23,702.88, and the S&P 500 advanced 44.82, or 0.65%, to 6,966.28.
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Analyst Views on META
Wall Street analysts forecast META stock price to rise
44 Analyst Rating
37 Buy
6 Hold
1 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 653.560
Low
655.15
Averages
824.71
High
1117
Current: 653.560
Low
655.15
Averages
824.71
High
1117
About META
Meta Platforms, Inc. is building human connections, powered by artificial intelligence and immersive technologies. The Company's products enable people to connect and share with friends and family through mobile devices, personal computers, virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR) headsets, augmented reality (AR), and wearables. It also helps people discover and learn about what is going on in the world around them, enabling people to share their experiences, ideas, photos, videos, and other content with audiences ranging from their closest family members and friends to the public at large. The Company's segments include Family of Apps (FoA) and Reality Labs (RL). FoA segment includes Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, WhatsApp and Threads. RL segment includes its virtual, augmented, and mixed reality related consumer hardware, software and content. Its product offerings in VR include its Meta Quest devices, as well as software and content available through the Meta Horizon Store.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Meta Signs AI Content Licensing Deal with News Corp
- Deal Value: Meta's artificial intelligence content licensing agreement with News Corp could pay up to $50 million annually, highlighting the fierce competition among Big Tech to secure journalism that supports chatbots and other AI tools.
- Agreement Duration: The deal spans at least three years, granting Meta access to News Corp content from the US and UK, enabling the company to provide fresh reporting for its AI product users and train systems on archival material, thereby enhancing content richness and accuracy.
- Competitive Landscape: News Corp's separate AI deal with OpenAI, valued at over $250 million in 2024, indicates escalating competition between Meta and OpenAI for quality news resources, as both aim to enhance their AI offerings through premium content acquisition.
- Stock Price Reaction: Following the announcement, Meta's shares rose 0.23% during regular trading but fell 0.14% in after-hours trading, reflecting market caution regarding the deal, while News Corp's Class A and B shares exhibited mixed performance in after-hours trading, indicating varying investor expectations for future earnings.
See More
Nvidia Exceeds Expectations with Fiscal 2026 Results
- Impressive Performance: Nvidia achieved a record $215.94 billion in revenue for fiscal 2026, with net income reaching $120.07 billion, demonstrating strong profitability and market demand, and is expected to continue leading the 'Magnificent Seven'.
- Robust Cash Flow: The company generated $96.58 billion in free cash flow, sufficient to cover $41.1 billion in stock repurchases and dividends, indicating a healthy financial position that supports future investments and growth.
- Increased R&D Investment: Nvidia launched the Blackwell architecture in March 2024 and unveiled the Rubin platform in January 2023, showcasing its ongoing innovation in AI aimed at eliminating workload bottlenecks and enhancing market competitiveness.
- Expanding Customer Base: By investing in Anthropic and OpenAI, Nvidia is broadening its customer base and is expected to benefit from the growing demand for AI, solidifying its leadership position in the data center market.
See More
Nvidia's Earnings Exceed Expectations Amid Surge in AI Demand
- Strong Financial Performance: Nvidia achieved a record $215.94 billion in revenue for fiscal 2026, with net income reaching $120.07 billion, showcasing robust profitability and cash flow that solidifies its leadership in the semiconductor industry.
- Shareholder Return Strategy: The company allocated $41.1 billion for stock repurchases and dividends in fiscal 2026, indicating its strong cash flow capabilities and commitment to shareholders, which is expected to boost investor confidence.
- AI Market Potential: Nvidia is targeting $78 billion in revenue for Q1 fiscal 2027 with a gross margin of 75%, representing a significant 76.9% year-over-year increase, reflecting its market leadership amid surging AI compute demand.
- Strategic Investment Expansion: Nvidia announced a $10 billion investment in Anthropic and is close to investing $30 billion in OpenAI, demonstrating its strategic positioning in the AI sector and commitment to emerging technologies, further broadening its customer base.
See More
Meta Signs $50M AI Content Licensing Deal with News Corp
- Deal Value and Duration: Meta's AI content licensing agreement with News Corp is valued at $50 million annually and spans at least three years, allowing Meta to utilize News Corp's content in the U.S. and U.K., thereby enhancing the richness of its AI products and competitive positioning in the market.
- Market Reaction: Following the announcement, News Corp's shares rose 1.2% in after-hours trading, while Meta's shares slipped slightly, indicating a positive market response to News Corp and a more cautious outlook on Meta, reflecting differing investor sentiments regarding the future collaboration of the two companies.
- CEO Hints and Future Plans: News Corp CEO Robert Thomson hinted at the deal during an investment conference, stating that the company is in advanced negotiations with other parties, indicating a strategic acceleration in News Corp's AI initiatives and the potential for more collaborations in the future.
- Industry Context: News Corp's $250 million content licensing deal with OpenAI in 2024 highlights its proactive expansion in the AI content space, while its partnership with Google has also generated an annual revenue of $6 million, further solidifying its position in the digital content market.
See More
Oklo Partners with Meta for Nuclear Project Funding
- Partnership Agreement: Oklo has signed a deal with tech giant Meta, which will prepay for power generated at Oklo's Ohio plant, providing essential funding despite construction not starting until 2026.
- Technological Outlook: Oklo is focused on developing small modular reactors (SMRs) designed to use recycled nuclear fuel, which could be deployed closer to population centers, although it currently lacks a commercially operating reactor.
- Electricity Production Timeline: Oklo does not expect to generate electricity until 2030, with its planned 1.2 gigawatt project not fully operational until at least 2034, highlighting the long-term nature and high capital requirements of the project.
- Investment Risk Advisory: While the partnership with Meta offers funding security, investors should remain cautious as Oklo is still in a high-risk phase and has yet to achieve sustainable profitability, suggesting that waiting for more milestones may be prudent before investing.
See More
Oklo Secures Key Deal with Meta for Nuclear Project
- Significance of Partnership: Oklo's agreement with Meta involves prepayment for power generated at its Ohio nuclear plant, providing crucial funding despite the company not having broken ground yet, with electricity generation expected only by 2030.
- Technological Potential: Focused on developing small modular reactors (SMRs), Oklo's design incorporates modern safety protocols and recycled nuclear fuel, attracting investor interest even though it lacks a commercially operating reactor.
- Market Risk Assessment: While the partnership with Meta offers financial security, investors should remain cautious as Oklo is still in a high-risk phase, with sustainable profitability not anticipated until after 2034.
- Competitive Landscape: Despite the promising technology, Oklo faces intense competition in the market, and analysts recommend that investors consider more stable investment options until Oklo achieves additional milestones.
See More
Meta Signs AI Content Licensing Deal with News Corp
- Deal Value: Meta's artificial intelligence content licensing agreement with News Corp could pay up to $50 million annually, highlighting the fierce competition among Big Tech to secure journalism that supports chatbots and other AI tools.
- Agreement Duration: The deal spans at least three years, granting Meta access to News Corp content from the US and UK, enabling the company to provide fresh reporting for its AI product users and train systems on archival material, thereby enhancing content richness and accuracy.
- Competitive Landscape: News Corp's separate AI deal with OpenAI, valued at over $250 million in 2024, indicates escalating competition between Meta and OpenAI for quality news resources, as both aim to enhance their AI offerings through premium content acquisition.
- Stock Price Reaction: Following the announcement, Meta's shares rose 0.23% during regular trading but fell 0.14% in after-hours trading, reflecting market caution regarding the deal, while News Corp's Class A and B shares exhibited mixed performance in after-hours trading, indicating varying investor expectations for future earnings.
See More
Nvidia Exceeds Expectations with Fiscal 2026 Results
- Impressive Performance: Nvidia achieved a record $215.94 billion in revenue for fiscal 2026, with net income reaching $120.07 billion, demonstrating strong profitability and market demand, and is expected to continue leading the 'Magnificent Seven'.
- Robust Cash Flow: The company generated $96.58 billion in free cash flow, sufficient to cover $41.1 billion in stock repurchases and dividends, indicating a healthy financial position that supports future investments and growth.
- Increased R&D Investment: Nvidia launched the Blackwell architecture in March 2024 and unveiled the Rubin platform in January 2023, showcasing its ongoing innovation in AI aimed at eliminating workload bottlenecks and enhancing market competitiveness.
- Expanding Customer Base: By investing in Anthropic and OpenAI, Nvidia is broadening its customer base and is expected to benefit from the growing demand for AI, solidifying its leadership position in the data center market.
See More
Nvidia's Earnings Exceed Expectations Amid Surge in AI Demand
- Strong Financial Performance: Nvidia achieved a record $215.94 billion in revenue for fiscal 2026, with net income reaching $120.07 billion, showcasing robust profitability and cash flow that solidifies its leadership in the semiconductor industry.
- Shareholder Return Strategy: The company allocated $41.1 billion for stock repurchases and dividends in fiscal 2026, indicating its strong cash flow capabilities and commitment to shareholders, which is expected to boost investor confidence.
- AI Market Potential: Nvidia is targeting $78 billion in revenue for Q1 fiscal 2027 with a gross margin of 75%, representing a significant 76.9% year-over-year increase, reflecting its market leadership amid surging AI compute demand.
- Strategic Investment Expansion: Nvidia announced a $10 billion investment in Anthropic and is close to investing $30 billion in OpenAI, demonstrating its strategic positioning in the AI sector and commitment to emerging technologies, further broadening its customer base.
See More
Meta Signs $50M AI Content Licensing Deal with News Corp
- Deal Value and Duration: Meta's AI content licensing agreement with News Corp is valued at $50 million annually and spans at least three years, allowing Meta to utilize News Corp's content in the U.S. and U.K., thereby enhancing the richness of its AI products and competitive positioning in the market.
- Market Reaction: Following the announcement, News Corp's shares rose 1.2% in after-hours trading, while Meta's shares slipped slightly, indicating a positive market response to News Corp and a more cautious outlook on Meta, reflecting differing investor sentiments regarding the future collaboration of the two companies.
- CEO Hints and Future Plans: News Corp CEO Robert Thomson hinted at the deal during an investment conference, stating that the company is in advanced negotiations with other parties, indicating a strategic acceleration in News Corp's AI initiatives and the potential for more collaborations in the future.
- Industry Context: News Corp's $250 million content licensing deal with OpenAI in 2024 highlights its proactive expansion in the AI content space, while its partnership with Google has also generated an annual revenue of $6 million, further solidifying its position in the digital content market.
See More
Oklo Partners with Meta for Nuclear Project Funding
- Partnership Agreement: Oklo has signed a deal with tech giant Meta, which will prepay for power generated at Oklo's Ohio plant, providing essential funding despite construction not starting until 2026.
- Technological Outlook: Oklo is focused on developing small modular reactors (SMRs) designed to use recycled nuclear fuel, which could be deployed closer to population centers, although it currently lacks a commercially operating reactor.
- Electricity Production Timeline: Oklo does not expect to generate electricity until 2030, with its planned 1.2 gigawatt project not fully operational until at least 2034, highlighting the long-term nature and high capital requirements of the project.
- Investment Risk Advisory: While the partnership with Meta offers funding security, investors should remain cautious as Oklo is still in a high-risk phase and has yet to achieve sustainable profitability, suggesting that waiting for more milestones may be prudent before investing.
See More
Oklo Secures Key Deal with Meta for Nuclear Project
- Significance of Partnership: Oklo's agreement with Meta involves prepayment for power generated at its Ohio nuclear plant, providing crucial funding despite the company not having broken ground yet, with electricity generation expected only by 2030.
- Technological Potential: Focused on developing small modular reactors (SMRs), Oklo's design incorporates modern safety protocols and recycled nuclear fuel, attracting investor interest even though it lacks a commercially operating reactor.
- Market Risk Assessment: While the partnership with Meta offers financial security, investors should remain cautious as Oklo is still in a high-risk phase, with sustainable profitability not anticipated until after 2034.
- Competitive Landscape: Despite the promising technology, Oklo faces intense competition in the market, and analysts recommend that investors consider more stable investment options until Oklo achieves additional milestones.
See More
