Stock Market Update

[BRIEFING.COM] The S&P 500 (flat), Nasdaq Composite (+0.1%), and DJIA (-0.1%) remain flattish amid a backdrop of mixed sector strength. 

Though the day is relatively devoid of directional drivers, Meta Platforms (META 667.42, +27.82, +4.35%) continues to be a standout after a Bloomberg report that the company is considering slashing its metaverse unit budget by up to 30%, easing long-standing investor skepticism over the profit potential of Reality Labs initiatives. Over the first nine months of 2025, the segment posted an operating loss of $13.2 billion, widening from $12.8 billion a year earlier, primarily driven by ballooning R&D expenses on hardware like Quest headsets, immersive VR/AR development, and content creation amid tepid consumer adoption and high manufacturing costs

The potential budget cuts signal a strategic pivot, freeing up billions to reinvest in higher-ROI AI projects that are proving more effective at driving revenue and profits.