#Meta

Nvidia’s shares dipped amid valuation concerns and scrutiny over accounting practices fueled by Michael Burry’s claims. Google’s Gemini 3, powered by its own AI chips, poses a competitive threat, while Meta considers using Google’s ASICs. Nvidia defended its GPUs’ superiority and refuted Burry’s allegations in a memo. These combined factors signal intensified competition in the AI chip market, where tech giants are developing custom silicon, potentially fragmenting Nvidia’s dominance. The UK’s Autumn Budget 2025 and other global financial news also highlighted.

Tuesday’s market showed mixed results: S&P 500 and Dow gained, but Nasdaq dipped due to Big Tech weakness. Nvidia fell on Meta’s potential Google TPU use, boosting Broadcom. Meta’s move highlights AI chip competition and potential shift to customized silicon. Portfolio diversification is key; defensive stocks like P&G are attractive amid volatility. Home Depot presents long-term potential with anticipated rate cuts. Nike rose as Dick’s Sporting Goods’ Foot Locker closures consolidated market share, signaling improved collaboration.

Nvidia’s stock fell after a report that Meta is considering using Google’s TPUs in its data centers, potentially by 2027, and renting TPU capacity from Google Cloud as early as next year. Alphabet’s shares rose, highlighting Google’s gain at Nvidia’s expense in the AI infrastructure market. This move reflects Meta’s efforts to diversify its AI infrastructure and control costs. Broadcom, a TPU partner, also saw gains. While Nvidia dominates the GPU market, Google’s TPUs present growing competition, driven by a desire to avoid reliance on a single supplier.

Meta faces renewed scrutiny over allegations that it halted internal research (“Project Mercury”) showing a potential link between reduced Facebook usage and improved mental well-being. A lawsuit accuses Meta, along with other social media companies, of prioritizing growth over user safety, particularly for young people, and knowingly exposing them to mental health harms. Meta refutes the allegations, citing flaws in the study and ongoing efforts to protect teens. The outcome of this and similar litigation could significantly impact the social media industry.

Key market updates include: Nvidia’s AI dominance faces scrutiny amid earnings and partnerships with Microsoft/Anthropic, challenging OpenAI. Google unveils Gemini 3 to compete. Target and Lowe’s report mixed retail results. The Epstein Files Transparency Act’s passage prompts fallout, including resignation from OpenAI’s board. Meta wins antitrust battle, keeping Instagram/WhatsApp. Netflix expands into merchandise and IRL experiences.

Meta Platforms won a U.S. District Court ruling against the FTC in an antitrust case. The judge found the FTC failed to prove Meta currently holds a monopoly in social networking, particularly after acquiring Instagram and WhatsApp. The court cited the rise of TikTok and YouTube as evidence of increased competition. The FTC expressed disappointment and is reviewing options. Meta’s stock experienced a slight dip following the ruling while Meta maintains that the ruling acknowledges that it faces fierce competition.

Despite Meta’s planned $14.3B investment interpreted by some as an acquihire and subsequent paused collaborations with OpenAI, Google, and xAI, Scale AI’s CFO Dennis Cinelli insists the company is thriving. He claims recent significant deals and growth in both its data and applications businesses, including contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense, have resulted in revenue “well into the nine figures,” approaching $1 billion. Scale AI is expanding and hiring, aiming to solidify its position in the AI development landscape.

Tech giants like Meta, Amazon, Alphabet, and Microsoft report strong digital ad revenue growth, defying economic anxieties. Meta leads with a 26% surge, driven by AI-enhanced ad targeting. Amazon’s ad unit grew 24%, surpassing its AWS cloud unit. Alphabet’s ad sales rose 13%, while Microsoft’s search advertising increased 14%, boosted by AI. Despite increased AI investments, some investors question the monetization strategies of companies like Meta. The upcoming holiday season’s impact on ad budgets is a key factor to watch.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is doubling down on AI, allocating $14.3 billion to Scale AI and restructuring Superintelligence Labs. This significant capital expenditure fuels Meta’s AI capabilities and data center expansion, partnering with Oracle, Google, and CoreWeave. While Meta projects long-term returns, analysts express concerns about escalating AI spending and a potential valuation bubble. Despite increased capital expenditure guidance, market reaction was mixed, with some uncertainty about profitability and returns. Meta’s revenue growth, driven by AI, supports its confident investment strategy.

The European Commission preliminarily finds TikTok and Meta possibly violated the Digital Services Act (DSA) due to inadequate data access for researchers. Meta’s Facebook and Instagram allegedly lack effective mechanisms for reporting illegal content. Both companies dispute the findings, citing efforts to comply. TikTok also raises concerns about DSA-GDPR conflicts. The EU emphasizes data access for understanding social impacts. If violations are upheld, fines could reach 6% of global turnover. This underscores increasing EU regulatory pressure on Big Tech to promote transparency and user rights.