Meta Platforms Inc. (META): Strong Growth and Solid Ratings Highlight Long-Term Potential

Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:META) is one of the best blue chip stocks to buy for the long term. On February 27, Moody’s Ratings affirmed Meta Platforms Inc.’s (NASDAQ:META) Aa3 long-term issuer rating, Aa3 senior unsecured notes ratings, and (P)Aa3 senior unsecured shelf rating, and also maintained a stable outlook. The action follows Meta’s strong operating performance revealed in the Q4 FY2025 earnings report.

Meta holds the leading position in non-search digital advertising, said Moody’s, a position that is supported by a global user base of approximately 3.6 billion daily active people across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger. This is why the firm reiterated the ratings across the board. Moody’s also cited robust operating performance, strong execution, conservative credit metrics, and substantial liquidity as another key pillar supporting the rating.

Moody’s projects Meta will grow revenue by more than 20% in 2026 and 18% in 2027. This is roughly twice the expected growth rate of the broader digital advertising market. However, Moody’s expects Meta’s elevated capex to result in limited to no free cash flow generation over the next two years.

Meanwhile, Meta shared its Q4 and full-year 2025 earnings on January 28 in which it brought in $59.9 billion in quarterly revenue. This was up 24% year on year and comfortably beat Wall Street’s estimate of $58.4 billion. For the full year, revenue hit $200.97 billion, up 22% year over year, and crossed $200 billion for the first time. Management said the revenue growth was due to more ads being shown and higher prices per ad. Quarterly EPS came in at $8.88, up 11% year over year, and surpassed the $8.19 that Wall Street anticipated.

Meta said that it expects Q1 FY2026 revenue to range from $53.5-$56.5 billion, which is above the analyst consensus of around $51.3 billion. CFO Susan Li attributed this to “strong demand we observed at the end of Q4 and continuing into the beginning of 2026.”

Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:META) develops and operates social networking and messaging applications, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger. The company generates revenue primarily through digital advertising across its platforms and invests in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and virtual reality through its Reality Labs division.