Meta Buys Stilla.ai to Expand Business AI

Meta Platforms acquired Swedish artificial intelligence startup Stilla.ai to enhance its Meta Business Agent ecosystem. Founded in 2024, Stilla raised $5 million in pre-seed funding before the deal. The integration aims to automate customer transactions, optimize merchant workflows, and boost e-commerce monetization across WhatsApp, Instagram, and Messenger. Meta shares rose 6.5% following the announcement.

The purchase accompanies the expansion of Muse, Meta's personal AI agent built for multi-app user tasks. In its recent second-quarter 2026 results, Meta reported revenue of $60.80 billion, up 28% year over year and above the $60.17 billion consensus. Earnings per share reached $6.18, falling short of the $7.22 estimate due to infrastructure outlays, legal charges, and restructuring costs. Operating expenses were $42.03 billion, capital expenditures reached $31.08 billion, and operating margin was 31%.

CEO Mark Zuckerberg and management raised full-year capital expenditure guidance to between $130 billion and $145 billion to fund generative AI initiatives. Meta trades at a price-to-earnings ratio near 24x. Among 55 analysts tracked by Wall Street, 45 rate the stock a Strong Buy, two rate it a Moderate Buy, and eight rate it a Hold, with an average 12-month price target of $751.08, indicating 15% upside.