Meta Platforms has announced a significant acquisition in the artificial intelligence sector, agreeing to purchase AI agent startup Manus for a potential sum of up to $3 billion. This move is part of CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s ambitious investment strategy aimed at solidifying Meta’s position in the competitive landscape dominated by OpenAI and Google. The acquisition not only enhances Meta’s technological capabilities but also consolidates critical talent and infrastructure within the company.
The news comes as expectations around Meta’s AI initiatives remain high, reflected in its current valuation of $1.64 trillion. While shares closed at $650.41 on Friday, marking a 1.47% decline for the session, the overall sentiment among analysts remains optimistic. A survey of 71 analysts shows that 92% maintain a “Buy” rating, with an average price target of $822.30 suggesting a potential upside of over 26%. However, the stock must defend the support level established at $643.50, as mixed investor activity emerges; for instance, Financial Partners Group has recently increased its holdings, while Meta’s Chief Operating Officer, Javier Olivan, sold shares valued at approximately $1.59 million.
Meta’s aggressive investment strategies appear to be paying off. The company’s AI-driven advertising product, Advantage+, recorded an annual revenue run rate of $60 billion in the third quarter of 2025, tripling its performance since the beginning of the year.
The acquisition of Manus, confirmed on Saturday, adds a startup with an annual recurring revenue of over $100 million to Meta’s portfolio. The technology from Manus is expected to be integrated directly into WhatsApp and the broader Meta AI platform. Notably, Manus will continue to operate independently as a subscription service, potentially opening additional revenue streams for Meta.
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A key point of scrutiny regarding the Manus acquisition is the startup’s corporate history. Originally founded in China, Manus relocated its headquarters to Singapore in mid-2025. This background could prompt increased regulatory oversight from U.S. authorities as the deal undergoes review.
The acquisition of Manus aligns with Meta’s broader strategy, which includes a recent $14.3 billion investment for a 49% stake in data provider Scale AI. This investment has already had significant repercussions; Scale AI recently cut its workforce by 200 employees, or 14% of its staff, and both OpenAI and Google have terminated their partnerships with the data firm. In a notable talent acquisition, Scale AI’s CEO, Alexandr Wang, has moved on to lead Meta’s superintelligence division.
Despite these ambitious moves, Meta faces notable challenges. The U.S. Virgin Islands has filed a lawsuit alleging deceptive advertising practices against the company. Concurrently, Instagram head Adam Mosseri acknowledged that 2025 was characterized by “AI slop,” a term he used to describe low-quality, AI-generated content. He emphasized that content authentication would be a key issue in 2026.
Investors and analysts are now focused on the upcoming earnings call set for January 28, where the integration of Manus and the restructuring at Scale AI are expected to be pivotal topics. The financial community is keen to understand how these strategic initiatives will influence Meta’s trajectory in the increasingly competitive AI landscape.
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