Meta stock jumps after Threads launch

Meta stock jumped more than 1 per cent on Thursday before dropping 0.35 per cent, following the launch of the new Twitter competitor Threads on Wednesday.

The stock, which was trading at $293.94 a share at 2:33pm New York time (10.33pm UAE time), surged almost 2 per cent in pre-market trading.

The stock opened up at $295.89 from its previous close of $294.37, and touched a high of $298.12 in early trading, before slipping marginally by 0.35 per cent.

Threads, which saw 10 million sign-ups in the first seven hours of the launch, grew to 30 million in less than 24 hours. By comparison, Twitter’s current user count stands at nearly 300 million.

“Wow, 30 million sign-ups as of this morning. Feels like the beginning of something special, but we have got a lot of work to build out the app,” said Mark Zuckerberg, chief executive of Meta.

Mr Zuckerberg already has 1.3 million followers on Threads.

Shares of Meta jumped 2.9 per cent to $294.37 on Wednesday after the company announced the timing of the launch of the app.

“Meta has made it no secret that it wishes to poach Twitter’s clientele on to Threads with the aim of attracting over one billion users,” said Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial.

“Meta could capture substantial consumer engagement down the line if takes efforts to minimise the distribution of misinformation and disruptions to conversations.

“Moreover, its one-click sign-up and import of information from Instagram and simple user interface is an attractive selling point.”

Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp’s parent firm Meta, which reported a 24 per cent annual decline in first-quarter profit, is looking at ways to diverse its revenue streams and advertising earnings.

“So far this year, Meta has successfully lowered its operating expense by $3 billion due to its cost discipline and recent spate of layoffs of 25 per cent of its workforce,” Mr Valecha said.

“However, it faces several cash flow headwinds, especially after its Reality Labs segment delivered annual losses between $14 billion and $16 billion.

“Meta’ valuation is at a discount to its sum-of-the-parts [SOTP] valuation. This needs to be rectified and can be achieved by monetising WhatsApp and Instagram.”

SOTP is a process of valuing a company by determining what its aggregate divisions would be worth if they were spun off or acquired by another company, according to online financial encyclopaedia Investopedia.

Industry analysts are bullish about Meta’s stock after Threads launch. Threads' global release on both Google's Android and Apple's iOS operating systems addresses any potential adoption restraint.

The company’s stock price objective has been raised to $335 by KeyBanc Capital Markets analyst Justin Patterson, suggesting a more than 13 per cent jump from the current levels.

Know before you go

Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.

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Winner: SS Jalmod, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer)

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3.45pm: Al Ain Stud Emirates Breeders Trophy – Conditions (PA) Dh50,000 (D) 1,700m
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.

8. Pillar 2 implementation

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

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