Mentions of the key word ‘Metaverse’ rose by over 135% in Q4* earnings transcripts following Facebook’s Meta announcement, according to GlobalData’s Company Filing Analytics platform. Further, virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are noted to be key themes in 2021, with sentiment rising by 5% in 2021.

Rinaldo Pereira, Business Fundamentals Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Mega Cap** companies have been especially positive towards VR and AR, with their sentiments towards these tech rising 7% over the past year. According to sentiment data, companies are looking to invest in VR and AR, likely because of their importance in the development of the metaverse. Companies such as Kopin, Vuzix, Warner Music Group and World Wrestling Entertainment are expected to scoop up gains from the development of metaverses.”

GlobalData’s jobs and influencer data are also showing positive signs for the Metaverse. Ajay Thalluri, Business Fundamentals Analyst at GlobalData, suggests that the significant increase in active jobs since June 2021 indicates the traction around metaverse hiring. However, companies appear to be facing a talent crunch due to the lower job closures. At the same time, Influencer ‘metaverse’ discussions spiked in late October 2021, with non-tech companies also joining the discussions.

Pereira concludes: “In 2021, despite the lower mentions, VR and AR sentiments remain higher than several other technology themes such as artificial intelligence (AI), ecommerce, and cloud. This highlights rising optimism among tech companies. While tech companies are largely discussing the metaverse in earnings transcripts, the immersive potential of the metaverse and Web 3.0 could propel discussions across a multitude of sectors. Devices like smart glasses and headsets, which will be key interfaces for metaverse experience, have also witnessed an 8% year on year jump in sentiment in 2021.”

* Until 16 November 2021

** Market Cap greater than $200bn