What is Manus AI and why is Meta buying it?

Manus AI is a fast-growing startup with about US$100 million in annual recurring revenue that builds agent-style AI for business workflows. Meta plans to use its technology to power automated chat experiences, especially on WhatsApp. The goal is to raise engagement, improve ad conversion, and create new revenue from paid conversations and business services.

How could the Meta Manus acquisition change WhatsApp monetization?

AI agents can answer questions, recommend products, and help close sales in chat. That can lift click-to-message ad performance and increase paid conversation volume on the Business Platform. If adoption is strong, we expect better advertiser ROI, more budgets moving into chat, and new service fees, which together can support higher revenue over time.

What is the key regulatory risk to this deal closing?

The main risk is U.S. regulatory review focused on Manus’s ties to China and data security. Authorities could require safeguards such as data segregation and strict governance on code and personnel. That might lengthen the closing timeline or narrow initial deployments, delaying revenue impact even if the deal ultimately clears with conditions.

Is META stock attractive for Canadians right now?

META shows solid fundamentals and supportive analyst targets, but timing matters. Consider FX exposure, position size, and risk levels around the 50-day and 200-day averages. Watch for concrete WhatsApp AI launches, advertiser adoption, and any regulatory updates. If execution aligns with targets, upside can compound, but delays could extend the path to returns.

Global Market Insights

[META] Stock Today: $2B Manus Buy Targets WhatsApp AI Monetization — December 31

ByHuzaifa Zahoor January 1, 2026January 1, 2026

Meta Manus acquisition headlines today as Meta moves to buy Manus for over US$2 billion to bring agent-style AI to WhatsApp and other apps. We see this as a direct push to speed WhatsApp monetization while lifting engagement across the Family of Apps. For Canadian investors, execution and timing matter. Shares of META last traded near US$660.09, and the Street still models strong upside if the deal closes and ships to scale.