In November last year, the European Commission imposed a substantial fine of €797.72 million on Facebook’s parent company, Meta (NASDAQ: META), citing breaches of antitrust regulations within the European Union.
The Commission’s investigation revealed that Meta had unfairly linked its Facebook Marketplace to the social networking platform, thereby disadvantaging other online classified ads providers.
In response, Meta is reportedly testing a new feature allowing eBay (NASDAQ: EBAY) integration on Facebook Marketplace, aiming to alleviate the Commission’s concerns by broadening user product choices and enhancing opportunities for eBay sellers.
Meta’s Strategic Response to Antitrust Woes Might Involve Ebay?
In light of the hefty penalty, Meta has embarked on a strategic initiative to integrate eBay listings into its Facebook Marketplace. This feature, initially available to users in Germany, France, and the United States, is designed to address the European Commission’s concerns by providing a wider array of product options.
By opening its platform to eBay sellers, Meta seeks to demonstrate its commitment to fair competition and user choice. The company emphasizes that Facebook Marketplace remains an optional service, countering allegations that it mandates use of the platform.
Meta’s move is not just a response to regulatory pressure but also an opportunity to enhance its marketplace’s appeal by leveraging eBay’s vast inventory.
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eBay Stock Hits 52-Week High
eBay’s stock has shown notable movement recently, with the current price at $68.81, up from a previous close of $63.17. The stock opened at $67.90 and has reached a day high of $69.25, which also marks its 52-week high. This positive trajectory comes amid Meta’s new integration plan, which could potentially boost eBay’s visibility and sales through Facebook Marketplace.
Key metrics for eBay include a dividend rate of $1.08 and a yield of 1.71%, with a market cap of $32.96 billion. Analysts have set a target price range for eBay, with a high of $75.00 and a low of $50.00, indicating a “hold” recommendation with a mean target price of $62.62.
Meta’s stock dynamics present a different picture, with the current price at $614.052, slightly down from the previous close of $617.89. The stock opened at $612.64 and has fluctuated between a day low of $602.79 and a high of $614.11.
Despite the current dip, Meta’s stock has strong backing from analysts, who recommend it as a “strong buy” with a mean target price of $659.46. The company boasts a market cap of $1.55 trillion and a robust revenue stream, with total revenue reported at $156.22 billion.
Disclaimer: The author does not hold or have a position in any securities discussed in the article. All stock prices were quoted at the time of writing.
About the author
Tim Fries is the cofounder of The Tokenist. He has a B. Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan, and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Tim served as a Senior Associate on the investment team at RW Baird’s US Private Equity division, and is also the co-founder of Protective Technologies Capital, an investment firm specializing in sensing, protection and control solutions.
