A lot of mega-cap tech titans are ending off 2025 on a high note with big acquisitions. Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META | META Price Prediction) joined in the year-end deal-making spree by buying up AI agent startup Manus in a deal reportedly worth over $2 billion. Undoubtedly, Manus is an incredible technology that’s already gained quite the following, with around $100 million in annual recurring revenue. With Meta Platforms bringing Manus’ platform and incredible slate of talent aboard, the company might have jumped several places ahead in the AI race, especially as 2026 looks to become an even bigger year for the adoption of agentic AI.
Undoubtedly, Meta Platforms is ending 2025 in a rather mixed spot when it comes to AI. But the path ahead looks far brighter, especially as Meta moves away from its open-source LLaMA model and towards its closed-source Avocado and Mango models, which are sure to make a big splash in the new year.
After the Manus deal, Meta’s stage may very well be set for a year of massive AI advancement
With Manus aboard, I think Meta is setting the stage for an incredible 2026. The social-media titan now has one of the most valuable AI agent assets out there, and it will be interesting to see how the firm repositions as it looks to catch up to the likes of the AI leaders, including the likes of Google Gemini and OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
As a massive fan of the Manus deal and what the move could mean for the agentic AI tech, I’m inclined to think that shares of Meta Platforms are an even more compelling buy as Mark Zuckerberg and company look to start 2026 on the right foot.
Meta Platforms is poised to spend serious cash to advance the AI effort. The Manus deal effectively allows the metaverse titan to buy itself a better seat in the AI agent race.
While it’s too soon to tell if Meta Platforms got a steal of a deal, it’s not too hard to draw similarities to the WhatsApp acquisition. Undoubtedly, Mark Zuckerberg and his team know how to spot immense potential in the M&A waters. And this latest Manus deal, I think, might be every bit as transformative as its past deals.
Meta’s AI arsenal is getting seriously powerful
As the company’s AI game plan falls into place in the new year, I think there’s potential for a big AI-driven multiple re-rating in shares of Meta Platforms. Shares look too cheap at 29.4 times trailing price-to-earnings (P/E), especially considering its latest AI pivot. Not only is Meta making the right move by stepping away from open-source models as it looks to commercialize, but it has also punched its ticket to the AI agent race with Manus.
It’ll be business as usual for Manus as it continues to grow its user base, even as it severs ties with China. That said, what’s more interesting is how Meta will incorporate the technology alongside its AI innovations. With Manus CEO Xiao Hong reporting directly to Meta COO Javier Olivan, it appears that Manus represents more than just a nice-to-have for Meta; it may very well represent one of the missing pieces of the puzzle as Meta seeks to further enhance its AI dream team.
While Meta Platforms still has its work cut out for it if it’s to catch up on the AI race, I must say that based on the AI talent roster, it’ll probably be just a matter of time before Meta AI really starts making noise, as it puts its disruptor hat on. As AI agent adoption levels up, it will be very interesting to see how Meta’s offering stacks up.
The bottom line
I think Meta might be the AI underdog to watch out for in 2026, especially if pivoting to Avocado and Mango and away from LLaMA proves the right move. Additionally, if Meta Platforms can keep up the brilliant deals in the new year, it might be time to label the firm as a top-three player in the LLM race.
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