Meta Platforms (META) shares were broadly flat on August 20 after the company announced a new suite of AI tools for small businesses and separately drew a bullish call from BNP Paribas focused on AI compute monetization.
The new Meta AI capabilities are available on the web, mobile app, and desktop app. They allow small businesses to analyze marketing performance, automate recurring tasks, and create business materials using information supplied by the user. The features are initially free, lowering the barrier for smaller companies to experiment with AI-powered workflows.
Businesses can connect their Facebook and Instagram accounts, Meta advertising campaigns, and Google Workspace applications. Meta AI can then consolidate data to help owners understand performance and identify areas needing attention. The tools can examine organic content using metrics including reach, saves, shares, comments, and profile visits, and compare engagement patterns with comparable brands. Advertising analysis can also assess which audiences and creative approaches perform best.
Prashant Ratanchandani, VP of Engineering for AI Products at Meta, said the AI can connect to Facebook, Instagram, Ads, and Google Workspace data to help small businesses analyze and improve campaigns. The rollout also includes a native Mac app with screen sharing and built-in dictation.
Separately, BNP Paribas analyst Nick Jones maintained an Outperform rating on META with an $855 price target, implying roughly 57% upside from the stock's level around $544. Jones argued that Meta could monetize excess AI compute capacity through short-term or strategic cloud deals if internal demand falls short. CEO Mark Zuckerberg said at the May shareholder meeting that selling excess compute was “definitely on the table,” though Meta has not done so yet because it expects to use the capacity itself.
BNP expects Meta's core advertising business to remain strong, with cloud services acting as an additional revenue stream. Capital expenditure is expected to keep rising through 2027. Jones also flagged potential infrastructure supply constraints after 2028 tied to power availability and the political environment. Wall Street consensus remains bullish, with 38 Buys, 5 Holds, and an average price target of $752.18.
