Facebook shares could reach $200 in a year: Barron’s

Facebook’s earnings per share are still expected to more than double over the next five years.

Facebook Inc shares could rise 16% to $200 within a year, the newspaper Barron’s said in its July 31 edition, as the social media company’s profits ramp up and it expands its reach in video advertising.

Alphabet and Facebook stock values are shown on a screen at the Nasdaq MarketSite, Tuesday, July 25, 2017, in New York. (AP)

Barron’s said Facebook’s spending will rise in order to build more potentially lucrative advertising into its video, Instagram and Messenger platforms.

Revenue growth will slow and the company will face anti-trust concerns as well as stiff competition, but its earnings per share are still expected to more than double over the next five years, according to the newspaper.

Facebook shares closed at $172.45 on Friday, up nearly 50% this year.

Graphic showing Facebook's quarterly net profit, revenues, share price and active users. (AFP)