Meta's first stock options since 2012 IPO signal executive retention push.

Meta's first stock options since 2012 IPO signal executive retention push. The tech giant is offering top executives stock options tied to aggressive milestones, with the first tranche unlocking if Meta stock reaches $1,116.08 per share, an 88% increase from current levels of $592.92. Additional tranches extend up to $3,727.12, over six times today's price. All options vest by August 2030 regardless of performance. This move reflects Meta's intense competition in the AI race against OpenAI and Google, where talent retention has become critical. The company is deploying massive resources for AI development and researcher compensation. CEO Mark Zuckerberg notably declined options. Meta frames this as a high-risk, high-reward strategy benefiting all shareholders only if the company achieves substantial growth within the five-year exercise window.