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Shares of Meta Platforms jumped Friday, trading at $667.81, up $36.33, or 5.75 percent, extending a hot stretch for the stock as investors continued reacting to signs that the company’s massive artificial intelligence infrastructure spending may be significantly more cost-efficient than previously estimated.

Note: This article is intended to provide factual context and does not constitute financial advice. Readers should consult a licensed financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Friday’s gains build on a rally that has pushed Meta shares up roughly 15 percent over the past week. According to Bank of America analyst Justin Post, an internal Meta memo reviewed by Reuters suggests the company could expand computing capacity considerably more efficiently than Wall Street had modeled. Post reiterated a Buy rating on the stock with an $835 price target, noting that Meta’s projected capital spending of roughly $145 billion implies construction costs near $22 billion per gigawatt, well below Bank of America’s earlier estimate of approximately $45 billion per gigawatt. If accurate, Post said, the figures could meaningfully ease investor concerns about the scale of Meta’s AI investment program. Meta expects to deploy approximately 6.5 gigawatts of AI compute capacity during 2026, including 5.5 gigawatts in the second half of the year.

The renewed enthusiasm follows a broader strategic shift Meta has signaled in recent weeks. Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg confirmed at the company’s annual shareholder meeting that launching a dedicated AI cloud business is “definitely on the table,” a move that would allow Meta to rent out excess computing capacity to outside developers rather than using it exclusively for its own products. According to reporting cited by the Motley Fool, the initiative, internally referred to as Meta Compute, would position the company to offer both hosted AI models, similar to Amazon Web Services’ Bedrock, and raw compute rental, similar to specialized providers like CoreWeave. Analysts have said the shift would help transform what had been viewed as a purely defensive cost center into a potential new revenue stream, positioning Meta as a fourth major U.S. hyperscaler alongside Amazon, Microsoft and Google.

Meta has continued backing that strategic pivot with tangible product announcements. On July 9, the company unveiled Muse Spark 1.1, described as its most advanced AI model to date, targeting the fast-growing agentic and coding software market in direct competition with offerings from Anthropic and OpenAI. According to Investing.com, that launch represented the clearest near-term signal yet that Meta is translating its enormous AI spending into tangible commercial products, helping the stock recover from levels well below its 52-week high of $796.25. Meta is also incorporating its Muse Image model into its Advantage+ advertising platform, adding visual reasoning and self-refinement capabilities aimed at improving automated ad creative for marketers.

On the hardware side, Meta plans to begin manufacturing its custom AI chip, code-named Iris, with partners Broadcom and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing later this year. Bank of America has said the chip initiative is unlikely to explain the near-term cost improvements reflected in the internal memo, but could strengthen Meta’s long-term AI strategy as part of a broader custom silicon roadmap extending into 2027 and beyond. Meta has also continued expanding its physical data center footprint, recently breaking ground on its first Canadian facility, a roughly 13 billion Canadian dollar AI-focused campus in Sturgeon County, Alberta, expected to generate approximately 3,000 construction jobs and more than 300 permanent positions once operational.

Financial markets have responded favorably to the broader shift. According to 247 Wall St., prediction market platform Polymarket was pricing a 98 percent probability of an up day for Meta shares on July 10, with an 82 percent probability the stock would reach $680 by the end of the month. The stock currently trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of roughly 20 times, and investors are now closely watching Meta’s second-quarter earnings report, scheduled for July 29, where management has guided for revenue between $58 billion and $61 billion. Analysts will be watching that call closely for any formal confirmation of an AI compute rental business, along with further detail on the company’s broader monetization strategy.

Meta’s first-quarter 2026 results, reported earlier this year, showed the strength underpinning the current rally. The company posted $56.31 billion in sales, up 33 percent year over year, with GAAP net income of approximately $26.77 billion and earnings per share of $10.44, far exceeding analyst expectations of roughly $6.67. Profit margins stood at 41 percent, and the company’s core Facebook and Instagram advertising business generated roughly $55 billion of that total revenue. According to FX Leaders, Meta is projected to surpass Google this year to become the world’s largest digital advertising company, with eMarketer forecasting Meta’s 2026 ad revenue at approximately $243.46 billion, compared with $239.54 billion for Google.

Not every recent development has been favorable for the stock. According to CNN, the European Union recently found that the design of Instagram and Facebook violates the bloc’s Digital Services Act over allegedly “addictive” design features, a finding that could expose Meta to fines potentially reaching into the billions of dollars. Meta has pushed back forcefully against related litigation, describing certain proposed legal damages tied to separate cases as “unprecedented” and totaling as much as $1.4 trillion, according to CNN’s reporting. Citizens Bank also lowered its price target on Meta shares to $800 from $825 this week, even as the firm maintained a generally constructive view of the stock. Analysts at 24/7 Wall St. have noted that the combination of a genuinely improved capital expenditure story and a real regulatory overhang means investors should weigh both realities carefully, describing the bull case for Meta as “cheaper to underwrite” following recent developments, even as the bear case tied to European regulatory risk has grown “more expensive to ignore.”

Investment firm ARK Invest, led by Cathie Wood, purchased 34,000 additional shares of Meta on Thursday, according to CNN, extending a pattern of active portfolio adjustments the firm has made involving major AI infrastructure stocks in recent months.

With Meta’s AI cloud ambitions still in relatively early stages and formal details of any compute rental offering yet to be confirmed on an earnings call, investors are likely to continue closely monitoring both the company’s July 29 second-quarter results and any further regulatory developments out of the European Union as key factors shaping the stock’s trajectory through the remainder of the summer.

This year’s federal budget deficit is now outpacing last year’s as federal spending is growing at a faster rate than tax revenue, pushing the annual shortfall closer to $2 trillion.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) on Thursday released its monthly budget review for the month of June, which showed the FY2026 deficit was $1.373 trillion through the first nine months of the fiscal year.

That represents a $35 billion increase in the budget deficit compared with the same period a year ago. The larger deficit was the result of a larger increase in federal spending, which is up $178 billion from a year ago while tax receipts have risen $142 billion.

Increased spending was primarily driven by the cost of servicing the federal government’s more than $39 trillion national debt as well as rising expenses for the government’s three largest mandatory spending programs – Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

US NATIONAL DEBT SURPASSES SIZE OF THE ECONOMY FOR FIRST TIME SINCE WORLD WAR II

Net interest on the national debt was the largest category of increased spending in the first nine months of FY2026 and rose $98 billion compared with the same period a year ago, an increase of 13%. This was caused by the growth in the size of the national debt, as well as higher long-term interest rates – though some declines in short-term rates mitigated some of the total increase.

Social Security was the next largest driver of the increased spending, with benefit payments up $62 billion, or 5%, from a year ago due to higher average benefits and a larger number of beneficiaries. The CBO noted the increase would’ve been larger but for onetime retroactive payments that began in March 2025 under the Social Security Fairness Act.

Medicare spending rose $58 billion from a year ago, an 8% increase, due to higher enrollment and higher payment rates for healthcare services provided through the program. Medicaid spending was up $49 billion, or 10%, which was largely attributed to rising costs per enrollee.

FEDERAL BUDGET DEFICIT PROJECTED TO HIT $2 TRILLION THIS FISCAL YEAR, RANKING AMONG LARGEST IN US HISTORY

Increased tax revenues were driven mostly by higher receipts of individual income and payroll taxes, which combined to rise by $169 billion, or 5%, despite income tax refunds rising by $31 billion, or 10%, due to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Customs duties – a category which includes tariffs – were up $55 billion from a year ago. That amounts to an increase of 51%, which CBO attributed to President Donald Trump’s executive actions that raised tariffs on U.S. trading partners.

However, tariff refunds began to be paid following a Supreme Court ruling in February that struck down some of the tariffs, which reduced tariff revenues by about $70 billion in May and June.

US NATIONAL DEBT BREACHES $39 TRILLION MILESTONE FOR FIRST TIME AMID SPENDING SURGE

Maya MacGuineas, president of the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (CRFB), noted in a statement that this year’s deficit has now surpassed the prior year’s deficit and it’s “likely to stay that way for the rest of the fiscal year.”

“We will likely borrow $2 trillion or more this fiscal year – an astounding figure given that the economy keeps growing and unemployment is low,” she explained. “This is likely the tip of the iceberg; borrowing will soar if policymakers fail to get our entitlements under control, enact further unpaid-for tax cuts or spending increases, and otherwise ignore the need to cut spending and increase revenues.”

MacGuineas noted that Social Security and Medicare are within seven years of exhausting their trust funds, which would trigger across-the-board benefit cuts to both programs, and urged lawmakers to take steps to rein in federal budget deficits.

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“None of this is normal. Policymakers should instead be targeting a much more sustainable deficit at 3% of GDP, putting together a bipartisan commission to address our fiscal situation and entitlements, and perhaps most importantly, being honest with the public about the grave dangers we face by remaining on this unsustainable path,” she added.

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Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of GEV either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

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Investor interest in midcap and smallcap mutual funds made a strong comeback in June after moderating in the previous month. According to the latest data released by the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI), equity mutual fund inflows jumped nearly 26% month-on-month, driven largely by midcap and smallcap funds emerging as the biggest contributors to the recovery.

Midcap funds attracted the highest inflows among all equity mutual fund categories at Rs 6,090 crore in June, while smallcap funds also witnessed healthy investor participation with second highest inflows in the same period. On a month on month basis, the inflows in mid cap funds and small cap funds went up by 39% and 13% respectively.

Also Read | Mutual fund SIP stoppage ratio slows to 91% in June as new SIP registrations outpace closures

Experts said that the better performance of broader market stocks appears to have encouraged investors to increase allocations to midcap and smallcap mutual funds.

Feroze Azeez, Joint CEO, Anand Rathi Wealth Limited said that one of the most encouraging trends in the June AMFI data is that investors continue to back the mid and small cap segments despite recent market volatility which suggests that investors are looking beyond short term market movements and are investing where they see long term growth potential.

In FY26, these were also the second and third largest categories by net inflows, attracting over Rs 1.03 lakh crore in total and accounting for nearly 15% of total equity fund inflows individually, he further said.
Both categories witnessed a meaningful rebound compared with May and remained among the strongest contributors across the equity universe, said Nehal Meshram, Senior Analyst, Morningstar Investment Research India.She further said that their performance over the first half of the year has been particularly noteworthy, attracting cumulative inflows of approximately Rs 30,279 crore and Rs 30,527 crore, respectively,

How indices moved in June

The renewed interest coincided with the performance of the broader market during the month. While the benchmark Nifty 50 – TRI gained around 2.38% in June, the Nifty Smallcap 250 – TRI index rose about 5.17%, outperforming the benchmark. The Nifty Midcap 150 – TRI index also ended the month in positive territory with a gain of around 2.36%.

In the calendar year 2026 so far, where Nifty50 – TRI fell 6.72%, Nifty Midcap 150 – TRI and Nifty Smallcap 250 – TRI were up 4.33% and 8.83% respectively.

The rebound in inflows comes after equity mutual fund investments had slipped to a one-year low in May. Despite market fluctuations, retail investors continued to invest in equity mutual funds, making June the 64th consecutive month of net inflows.

Feroze Azeez said that the optimism is backed by fundamentals as well and earnings for the Nifty Midcap 150 and Nifty Smallcap 250 are expected to grow by 18% and 20% in FY27, followed by 16% and 18% in FY28, while both indices continue to trade below their estimated fair value by around 10% to 16%.

Continued interest in mid-cap, small-cap, flexi-cap and diversified equity strategies suggests that investors remain optimistic about India’s structural growth story while seeking opportunities across different segments of the market, said Rohit Sarin Co-Founder, Client Associates.

Also Read | Tata Asset Management elevates Anand Vardarajan as CEO and MD, Prathit Bhobe steps down

Midcap and smallcap funds performance

In June, midcap funds delivered an average return of 3.72% with Invesco India Midcap Fund emerging as the top performer with 7.83% return, followed by Helios Mid Cap Fund which gave 6.71% return. ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund gave the lowest return of 1.44% in June.

In the same time period, smallcaps delivered an average return of 6.19% and Helios Small Cap Fund delivered the highest return of around 9.03%, followed by Invesco India Smallcap Fund which gave 8.95%. Samco Small Cap Fund gave the lowest return of 3.71% in June.

The net assets under management (AU) for mid cap funds went up by 4% on monthly basis to Rs 5.06 lakh crore in June from Rs 4.87 lakh crore in May. The AUM of small caps surged 6% to Rs 4.29 lakh crore in June against Rs 4.04 lakh crore in the previous month.

Feroze Azeez said that the confidence is also reflected in the size of these categories, with mid cap and small cap fund AUM reaching Rs 5.06 lakh crore and Rs 4.30 lakh crore respectively, growing over 17% and 21% in the last one year.

With these two categories receiving a notable boost in the inflows, Umesh Sharma, CIO- Debt, The Wealth Company Mutual Fund believes it to be a signal for increased risk appetite from investors.

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)

If you have any mutual fund queries, message on ET Mutual Funds on Facebook/Twitter. We will get it answered by our panel of experts. Do share your questions on ETMFqueries@timesinternet.in along with your age, risk profile, and Twitter handle.

Britain’s night time economy has greeted Andy Burnham’s expected arrival in Downing Street with something it has not felt in years: optimism. But its trade body has attached a condition, warning the incoming Prime Minister that “optimism must now be matched with action”.

The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), which represents nightclubs, bars, live music venues, festivals and event businesses, said Burnham’s elevation marks a new chapter for business and the night time economy, one that could finally give operators the confidence to invest.

“As the country prepares for Andy Burnham’s expected appointment as Prime Minister, we welcome the clear commitment to engagement with business and the recognition that economic growth will be built through partnership,” said Michael Kill, the association’s chief executive.

“For too long, businesses across the night time economy have faced uncertainty, inconsistent policy and a lack of clear direction.”

Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor turned Makerfield MP, remains the only declared candidate to succeed Sir Keir Starmer as Labour leader and is expected to enter No 10 later this month.

The sector has reason to believe it has the incoming leader’s ear. Burnham has already pledged a 20 per cent business rates cut for pubs, clubs and music venues, funded by higher levies on online retailers’ warehouses, and last month the NTIA threw its weight behind his call for a hospitality VAT cut, arguing the sector could not withstand three more years of rising taxation.

Kill said devolution should be part of the answer. “We hope this marks the beginning of a more collaborative approach that gives local leaders the confidence to make decisions that reflect the needs of local businesses and communities.

“A renewed focus on our high streets, hospitality and the night time economy will be essential if we are to unlock investment, create jobs and support thriving towns and cities.”

The stakes for operators are hard to overstate. More than three licensed venues a day went dark in the first quarter of this year under the combined weight of wage costs, energy bills and tax rises. And while the government replaced retail, hospitality and leisure relief with permanently lower business rates multipliers from April, many operators say their bills are still heading in the wrong direction.

Kill was clear that goodwill alone will not keep the lights on. “For our sector, optimism must now be matched with action. Clarity, certainty and meaningful collaboration will be essential if businesses are to invest with confidence and plan for the future.

“We are encouraged to see a leader who appears fully engaged with the opportunities and challenges facing British business, particularly our sector, which has borne some of the greatest pressures over the past six years through rising taxation, escalating costs and an increasingly difficult trading environment.”

For SME owners across hospitality, nightlife and the high street, the significance is less the warmth of the welcome than the specificity of the demands now piling up in the new Prime Minister’s in-tray: business rates, VAT, energy costs and a devolution settlement that lets local leaders act.

Burnham arrives in office with the sector’s goodwill banked. Spending it wisely will be the harder part.

“The work starts now,” Kill said, “and we stand ready to work constructively with the new government to ensure the night time economy is recognised as a vital part of the UK’s economic growth, cultural identity and community life.”

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