Facebook’s Exciting Future Just Got Better

Social media giant Facebook Inc. (FB) experienced a choppy period in 2018 in the aftermath of Cambridge Analytica. Now that seems to be gone and forgotten with the company’s stock price approaching full recovery to its July 2018 highs.

Even as the company’s platform privacy concerns continued to grow, its top line never seemed to be affected and this was proven once again in the social networking company’s most recent quarterly results that saw its top line grow by 26%.

The company’s revenue of $15.08 billion beat analyst estimates by $110 million while its non-GAAP EPS of $1.89 outperformed by $0.27. Shares of Facebook gained nearly 8% on Thursday last week after yet another session of impressive quarterly results.

This performance re-affirmed why Facebook is one of the best blue-chip growth stocks in the market and with the updates roll-outs of some of its existing products to more markets expected in the coming months, things could get even better for the social networking market leader.

On Tuesday, day-1 of the F8 Developers Conference, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg unveiled the plan to roll-out globally some of the products that have been running in select countries while at the same time scheduling key updates to others.

These announcements could not have come at an opportune time, especially given the company’s most recent quarterly results.

While updating investors on Facebook Group products, the company’s Director of Product, Fidji Simo revealed that Facebook Dating, which is already present in five countries will be expanding to 14 countries with the US joining the list later this year. Facebook looks to take on privately held companies like Tinder in the online dating market space by allowing its users to create sub-lists of their friends within which they can add their secret crush. The users are then notified when they find a match.

This could expand the company’s target audience while at the same time attracting a variety of advertisers that will be looking to capitalize on the social media company’s user-base based on different interests.

Facebook will also launch a redesigned website within the next few months while a new mobile app will be made available to US customers. Zuckerberg enthused that the coming changes will be the biggest made to the website and the app in 5 years. The company will take this opportunity to improve various aspects of the platform including privacy and security, which pose a significant risk to the company’s long-term future.

In addition, Zuckerberg also announced that Facebook Portal will be going global this year with Cabada set for June while the rest of the world will have to wait until fall. WhatsApp will also be added to increase the product offering available in the Portal. Facebook Portal allows users to participate in video chatting among other social features. The company will be able to collect key data from users thereby allowing it to deliver better-targeted ads, which will increase return on income to advertisers. Improved customer and user experience will result in more users, more customers and more revenue for the Facebook Portal for the company.

Another key update made during the Developers Conference today was about VR and Oculus Rift. The company announced the opening of preorders for Oculus Rift S which has a higher resolution, better optics, and in-and-out tracking, and Oculus Quest which has no cables and allows freedom of movement with both set to retail at a price of $399 beginning May 21.

Facebook’s investment in virtual reality has been going up some gears recently and the latest update could be what takes the product to the next growth phase. Zuckerberg said, 2019 will be a big year for VR. It looks like it.

In summary, Facebook has navigated a smooth recovery following last year’s plunge with its stock rising from a multi-year low of about $123 per share to hit the current price of $194 in just 4 months. The company continues to maintain a huge market share in digital advertising through its multiple products and today, it made some key updates which could help drive growth in the next few years.

Disclaimer: The material appearing on this article is based on data and information from sources I believe to be accurate and reliable. However, the material is not guaranteed as to accuracy nor ...

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