Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META) Stock Sold Off by Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar

Key Points

• Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar sold between $1,001 and $15,000 of Meta Platforms shares from her UBS IRA account on September 24, along with similarly sized positions in several other companies.
• Meta shares opened at $720.89, with a market capitalization of about $1.84 trillion. The company recently reported quarterly revenue of $60.8 billion, up 28% year over year, but its $6.18 EPS missed analysts’ $7.19 estimate.
• Analysts maintain a generally positive outlook, with a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and an average price target of $791.86, although concerns include heavy AI infrastructure spending, regulatory pressure and limits on Meta’s AI agent.

Representative Maria Elvira Salazar (Republican-Florida) recently sold shares of Meta Platforms, Inc. NASDAQ: META. In a filing disclosed on October 7th, the Representative disclosed that they had sold between $1,001 and $15,000 in Meta Platforms stock on September 24th. The trade occurred in the Representative's "UBS IRA ACCOUNT" account.

Representative Maria Elvira Salazar also recently made the following trade(s):

• Sold $1,001 - $15,000 in shares of Citigroup NYSE: C on 9/24/2026.
• Sold $1,001 - $15,000 in shares of Chubb NYSE: CB on 9/24/2026.
• Sold $1,001 - $15,000 in shares of Microsoft NASDAQ: MSFT on 9/24/2026.
• Sold $1,001 - $15,000 in shares of GE Aerospace NYSE: GE on 9/24/2026.
• Sold $1,001 - $15,000 in shares of Honeywell International NASDAQ: HON on 9/24/2026.
• Sold $1,001 - $15,000 in shares of Snowflake NYSE: SNOW on 9/24/2026.
• Sold $1,001 - $15,000 in shares of FedEx NYSE: FDX on 9/24/2026.
• Sold $1,001 - $15,000 in shares of Salesforce NYSE: CRM on 9/24/2026.
• Sold $1,001 - $15,000 in shares of RH NYSE: RH on 9/24/2026.
• Sold $1,001 - $15,000 in shares of Boeing NYSE: BA on 9/24/2026.

Meta Platforms Trading Down 0.1%

META opened at $720.89 on Friday. Meta Platforms, Inc. has a 52 week low of $520.26 and a 52 week high of $779.82. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $637.74 and a 200-day simple moving average of $619.40. The firm has a market cap of $1.84 trillion, a P/E ratio of 27.15, a P/E/G ratio of 1.26 and a beta of 1.19. The company has a quick ratio of 2.23, a current ratio of 2.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32.

Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 29th. The social networking company reported $6.18 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $7.19 by ($1.01). Meta Platforms had a net margin of 29.83% and a return on equity of 33.18%. The firm had revenue of $60.80 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $60.22 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $7.14 EPS. Meta Platforms's quarterly revenue was up 28.0% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts expect that Meta Platforms, Inc. will post 27.94 earnings per share for the current year.

Meta Platforms Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 28th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 21st were paid a dividend of $0.5250 per share. This represents a $2.10 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.3%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, September 21st. Meta Platforms's dividend payout ratio is 7.91%.

Institutional Trading of Meta Platforms

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Horizons Wealth Management acquired a new position in Meta Platforms during the third quarter worth about $33,000. Advantage Trust Co acquired a new stake in shares of Meta Platforms during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Philadelphia Investment Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Meta Platforms in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $32,000. Axiom Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in Meta Platforms in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Finally, Schuylkill Financial LLC purchased a new position in Meta Platforms in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $36,000. 79.91% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have weighed in on the company. Loop Capital lifted their target price on Meta Platforms from $740.00 to $955.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, September 24th. Citizens Jmp raised their price objective on shares of Meta Platforms from $770.00 to $885.00 and gave the company a "market outperform" rating in a research note on Thursday, September 24th. BNP Paribas Exane cut their target price on shares of Meta Platforms from $955.00 to $855.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, July 30th. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a "buy" rating and set a $725.00 target price (down from $815.00) on shares of Meta Platforms in a report on Thursday, August 27th. Finally, Monness Crespi & Hardt increased their price objective on Meta Platforms from $730.00 to $830.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, September 28th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, forty-four have given a Buy rating and ten have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $791.86.

Key Meta Platforms News

Here are the key news stories impacting Meta Platforms this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Meta’s growing role in the micro-drama market could create a new advertising revenue stream. Short-form serialized shows are expanding beyond China, and the platform is becoming an important distribution channel for this content. Why Meta is winning the micro drama wars
• Positive Sentiment: Wells Fargo reportedly set a $1,000 price target, citing AI as a potential catalyst, while TD Cowen reaffirmed its “buy” rating with an $865 target. These targets imply analysts see substantial upside if Meta converts AI investment into higher engagement, advertising and commerce revenue. Meta Could Hit $1,000, Says Wells Fargo
• Positive Sentiment: Meta’s Muse assistant continues to expand, including a new iPad app, and the company is working with Sierra, Shopify, Stripe and Walmart on standards for AI agents to interact with businesses. Successful agentic commerce could eventually provide Meta with transaction-based revenue. Meta's Muse launches on iPad
• Neutral Sentiment: President Donald Trump disclosed purchases of as much as $25 million in Meta stock, a headline that may support investor sentiment but does not change the company’s fundamentals. Trump bought up to $25 million in Meta
• Negative Sentiment: Jefferies found that roughly one-third of tested websites blocked Meta’s Muse agent. Access limitations could delay Meta’s plans to earn transaction fees from AI-powered shopping and other agentic-commerce services. Meta's Muse AI agent blocked by websites
• Negative Sentiment: Florida is pursuing restrictions on Meta’s platforms, including a possible ban for users under 14 and limits on infinite scrolling for teenagers. Such rules could reduce engagement, advertising inventory and the effectiveness of Meta’s core products while increasing legal costs. Meta Stock Falls as Florida challenges infinite scroll
• Negative Sentiment: Investors remain concerned that Meta’s substantial AI data-center spending is consuming cash before returns are clear. Commentary also highlights criticism of CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s AI strategy and the risk that AI infrastructure becomes a prolonged cash-flow drag. Why AI Infrastructure Is Turning Meta and Amazon Into Cash-Flow Sinks

Insider Activity

In other news, CAO Aaron Anderson sold 3,240 shares of Meta Platforms stock in a transaction on Thursday, September 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $618.06, for a total transaction of $2,002,514.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer owned 6,271 shares of the company's stock, valued at $3,875,854.26. The trade was a 34.07% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, CFO Susan J. Li sold 9,196 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $550.61, for a total transaction of $5,063,409.56. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer owned 13,186 shares in the company, valued at $7,260,343.46. This represents a 41.09% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders sold a total of 148,222 shares of company stock valued at $101,033,627 in the last 90 days. Insiders own 13.53% of the company's stock.

About Representative Salazar

Maria Elvira Salazar (Republican Party) is a member of the U.S. House, representing Florida's 27th Congressional District. She assumed office on January 3, 2021. Her current term ends on January 3, 2027. Salazar (Republican Party) ran for re-election to the U.S. House to represent Florida's 27th Congressional District. She won in the general election on November 5, 2024. Maria Elvira Salazar was born in Miami, Florida, and lives in Coral Gables, Florida. Salazar earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Miami in 1983 and a graduate degree from Harvard University in 1995. Her career experience includes working as a television journalist, reporter, and news anchor.

About Meta Platforms

Meta Platforms, Inc is a technology company that develops social networking, messaging, virtual and augmented reality, and artificial intelligence products. The company operates a global family of apps that includes Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, WhatsApp and Threads, enabling users to connect, communicate, share content and discover communities.

Meta generates most of its business through digital advertising displayed across its platforms. Its products serve individuals, creators, businesses and organizations in markets around the world, while its advertising tools help businesses reach audiences based on factors such as interests, activity and demographics.

Through its Reality Labs division, Meta develops virtual and augmented reality hardware, software and services, including the Meta Quest line of headsets and related experiences.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.