*By Amanda Weston*
Facebook doesn't report its latest earnings until Tuesday, but some analysts are already predicting a drop in the numbers amid security concerns and waning popularity among the platform's younger users.
Chris Versace, chief investment officer at Tematica Research, predicted on Cheddar Monday that its quarterly earnings report will put Facebook ($FB) at $1.47 per share, down from $1.59 last year.
Tuesday's earnings will follow a slew of [critical headlines](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/facebook-earnings-as-facebook-is-called-digital-tobacco-advertisers-loyalty-is-biggest-question-2018-10-27) including hacks affecting millions of users and the rampant spread of misinformation on the platform.
Versace said ramping up security has been a "huge driver" for Facebook ($FB).
"There is even some speculation that Facebook might step in and buy a very large cybersecurity company ー Fortinet or some of the others that are out there ー in order to really jump-start its efforts to protect its user base, its content creation," Versace said.
Versace said Facebook needs its users to think the social platform is "impenetrable" so they continue to trust it with sensitive information and online payments. "So to me, it's a huge ramp, and it's one that they need to do," he added.
Another challenge facing the social media giant is declining interest and use among teens. [A Piper Jaffray survey](https://www.cnbc.com/2018/10/22/instagram-ahead-of-snapchat-in-popularity-among-teens-piper-jaffray.html) reported only 36 percent of teenagers use Facebook at least once a month, putting it in fourth place among rival social media platforms.
Instagram, which is owned by Facebook, hit 85 percent, beating Snapchat ($SNAP) and securing first place.
"You're talking about Instagram, which is increasingly becoming the go-to product for Facebook," Versace said. "It doesn't have anywhere near the amount of issues that we've heard about from Facebook proper, and it is the platform of choice for teens and tweens and younger adults. So that's the platform they want to monetize."
But it hasn't been entirely smooth sailing for Instagram, with its founders [stepping down](https://cheddar.com/videos/instagrams-founders-plan-to-leave-company-reports) amid reported tensions with Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
"Why the hiccup now?" Versace asked. "That is certainly going to raise some questions about the guidance that they're going to give for that business, if they give any."
Facebook will set the earnings stage for Apple ($AAPL), which is scheduled to release its quarterly earnings on Thursday after market close.
[A FactSet survey](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/apple-earnings-can-pricey-new-iphones-carry-the-holidays-2018-10-27) reported analysts expect Apple will earn $4.92 per share, up from $3.89 last year.
For full interview [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/facebook-set-to-reveal-earnings-tuesday).
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President Donald Trump's administration last month awarded a $1.2 billion contract to build and operate what's expected to become the nation’s largest immigration detention complex to a tiny Virginia firm with no experience running correction facilities.
Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos claims audiences don't want to watch Netflix movies in theaters, but that seems not to be the case recently.
Chipmaker Nvidia is poised to release a quarterly report that could provide a better sense of whether the stock market has been riding an overhyped artificial intelligence bubble or is being propelled by a technological boom that’s still gathering momentum.
Cracker Barrel said late Tuesday it’s returning to its old logo after critics — including President Donald Trump — protested the company’s plan to modernize.
Low-value imports are losing their duty-free status in the U.S. this week as part of President Donald Trump's agenda for making the nation less dependent on foreign goods. A widely used customs exemption for international shipments worth $800 or less is set to end starting on Friday. Trump already ended the “de minimis” rule for inexpensive items sent from China and Hong Kong, but having to pay import taxes on small parcels from everywhere else likely will be a big change for some small businesses and online shoppers. Purchases that previously entered the U.S. without needing to clear customs will be subject to the origin country’s tariff rate, which can range from 10% to 50%.
Southwest Airlines will soon require plus-size travelers to pay for an extra seat in advance if they can't fit within the armrests of one seat. This change is part of several updates the airline is making. The new rule starts on Jan. 27, the same day Southwest begins assigning seats. Currently, plus-size passengers can pay for an extra seat in advance and later get a refund, or request a free extra seat at the airport. Under the new policy, refunds are still possible but not guaranteed. Southwest said in a statement it is updating policies to prepare for assigned seating next year.
