Meta shares soar after launch of Muse AI

Meta (META) rose 4.5% to $777.59, driven by AI strategy. Everpure (P) surged 11.15% to $121.88, reaffirming fiscal 2027 guidance. Akamai (AKAM) fell 6.78% to $110.41, then jumped 20.65% after-hours on a $11.6B AI deal. Apimeds (APUS) soared 114.85% to $4.92 on a blockchain agreement. Costco (COST) dipped 0.91% to $896.48 despite beating Q4 estimates.

U.S. stock futures fell slightly on Thursday evening due to rising Treasury yields and oil prices. S&P 500, Nasdaq 100, and Dow Jones futures declined. Meta gained 4.5% after AI product announcements, while Oracle dropped 5% after a force majeure notice on a data center project. Trump and Xi concluded talks with few details released. The 10-year Treasury yield hit a 19-year high at 5.2%.

Meta Platforms (META) rose 3.52% to $770.27 on Thursday, driven by positive analyst sentiment and its Meta Connect event. Wells Fargo raised its price target to $796.00, and the company showcased AI technologies, including Muse, a personal AI agent with free and subscription-based models. Morgan Stanley estimated Muse could generate $1.3 billion in annual revenue by 2028. Legal challenges remain a backdrop for the stock.

Meta introduced new camera-free AI glasses and a Muse Charm pendant. The glasses feature privacy-focused designs, like a recording indicator light. Meta aims to expand its wearables, with new Ray-Ban models priced from $799 and upcoming VR glasses for $1299. The Muse AI agent app, which integrates with various services, became the top free app on app stores. Meta faces privacy and child safety challenges, recently settling a $18b lawsuit in the US.

JPMorgan raised its price target for Meta (META) to $920, citing the potential of its new AI agent, Muse. Analyst Doug Anmuth believes Muse could become a leading consumer AI application, driving significant upside. Meta's shares have surged 30% in September, with integrations announced with major retailers. The company aims to monetize Muse through transaction fees, though privacy and competition remain challenges.

Meta's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, unveiled Muse Charm, a keychain-sized AI device with a fingerprint sensor and real-time voice interactivity, set to launch in December. Muse, Meta's AI assistant, has become the most downloaded app in the US, offering tasks like ordering groceries and managing finances. Meta's stock has rebounded since Muse's launch, adding $300 billion to its market cap. Zuckerberg also announced new Ray-Ban styles and VR glasses, with Muse integration planned.