Facebook's IPO and the evolution of Meta's stock: A deep analysis

Meta Platforms, formerly known as Facebook, has experienced significant growth since its initial public offering in 2012. With the upcoming initial public offering (OPI) of Reddit, it is timely to analyze Meta's historical performance and its current position in the market.

Key Data of Facebook's IPO

Facebook went public in May 2012 at a price of $38 per share, valuing the company at $104 billion. This made it the third largest IPO in U.S. history.

Evolution of Meta Platforms' Stocks

Since its IPO, Meta's shares have experienced extraordinary growth:

• Starting price in 2012: $38 per share
• Current price (October 2025): $733.51 per share
• Total accumulated return: 1,219.13%

An initial investment of $10,000 in Facebook's IPO in 2012 would be worth approximately $131,912.78 in July 2025, adjusted for inflation and reinvestment of dividends.

Financial milestones of Meta

• Market capitalization (October 2025): $1.842 trillion
• All-time high: $789.47 (12 August 2025)
• 52-week range: $479.80 - $796.25

Analyst Perspectives

The consensus among analysts on Meta remains predominantly positive:

• 39 Strong Buy recommendations
• 1 Moderate Buy Recommendation
• 3 recommendations for Maintaining
• 1 Strong Sell recommendation

The average target price is around $500.98, with a maximum of $575.

Comparison with the Web3 sector

Although Meta is not a native Web3 company, its stock market evolution surpasses many projects in the blockchain sector. Its market capitalization positions it as one of the largest tech companies, surpassing most decentralized protocols and platforms.

Impact of Reddit's IPO

Reddit's upcoming IPO, with an estimated valuation of $6.5 billion, could have implications for the landscape of social media and Web3 communities. However, Meta's scale remains significantly larger.

Considerations for Investors

The historical performance of Meta demonstrates the long-term growth potential in the tech sector. However, investors must consider:

• The inherent volatility of the stock market
• Regulatory risks in the technology sector
• The growing competition in the social media and Web3 space

For those interested in exposure to the sector, it is advisable to diversify and consider both established giants like Meta and new participants in the Web3 ecosystem.