Associated Banc Corp Purchases 61,735 Shares of Meta Platforms, Inc. $META

Key Points

• Associated Banc Corp opened a new Meta position, buying 61,735 shares worth about $44.8 million in the third quarter. Meta now represents 1.1% of the fund’s holdings and is its 19th-largest position.
• Meta reported quarterly earnings of $7.40 per share, beating the $6.54 consensus estimate, while revenue of $64.6 billion exceeded forecasts and grew 26.1% year over year.
• Institutional investors and hedge funds collectively own about 79.9% of Meta’s stock; analysts’ average rating is “Moderate Buy,” with an average price target of $833.12.

Associated Banc Corp acquired a new position in Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META - Free Report) during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund acquired 61,735 shares of the social networking company's stock, valued at approximately $44,769,000. Meta Platforms makes up 1.1% of Associated Banc Corp's holdings, making the stock its 19th biggest holding.

Other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Fischer Financial Services Inc. raised its stake in shares of Meta Platforms by 4.8% in the 3rd quarter. Fischer Financial Services Inc. now owns 2,005 shares of the social networking company's stock valued at $1,454,000 after purchasing an additional 91 shares in the last quarter. Putney Financial Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Meta Platforms during the third quarter worth about $107,000. Richwood Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Meta Platforms in the third quarter worth about $217,000. Integrity Advisory Solutions LLC grew its stake in Meta Platforms by 13.1% in the third quarter. Integrity Advisory Solutions LLC now owns 2,326 shares of the social networking company's stock worth $1,687,000 after purchasing an additional 270 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Reston Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in Meta Platforms by 11.4% in the third quarter. Reston Wealth Management LLC now owns 605 shares of the social networking company's stock valued at $439,000 after buying an additional 62 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.91% of the company's stock.

Meta Platforms Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ META opened at $610.15 on Monday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.90, a current ratio of 1.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30. The firm's 50-day moving average price is $674.97 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $632.16. Meta Platforms, Inc. has a 52-week low of $520.26 and a 52-week high of $779.82. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.56 trillion, a P/E ratio of 20.80, a P/E/G ratio of 1.06 and a beta of 1.28.

Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 22nd. The social networking company reported $7.40 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $6.54 by $0.86. The company had revenue of $64.60 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $63.34 billion. Meta Platforms had a return on equity of 30.73% and a net margin of 31.15%. The business's revenue was up 26.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $7.25 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Meta Platforms, Inc. will post 29.01 earnings per share for the current year.

Meta Platforms Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 28th. Investors of record on Monday, September 21st were given a dividend of $0.5250 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, September 21st. This represents a $2.10 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.3%. Meta Platforms's payout ratio is currently 7.16%.

Key Stories Impacting Meta Platforms

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

• Positive Sentiment: Meta launched Spaces, a collaboration feature for its Muse AI agents, following the rollout of Muse Voice. The new offerings may help strengthen user engagement and expand Meta’s consumer AI ecosystem. Meta introduces Spaces
• Positive Sentiment: Recent earnings commentary points to AI supporting Meta’s advertising operations, reinforcing the potential for the company’s AI investments to generate revenue. Takeaways from recent earnings
• Neutral Sentiment: Meta paused planned updates to its terms and is keeping existing rules in place. The move avoids an immediate policy change, though the underlying issues remain unresolved. Meta pauses planned terms updates
• Neutral Sentiment: Plans for new nonvoting Class C shares have been described as effectively creating a 2-for-1 split. A split changes the number of shares, but does not by itself change the company’s underlying value; the structure preserves Mark Zuckerberg’s voting control. Is Meta Platforms next for a stock split?
• Negative Sentiment: Meta and other platforms sued to block California restrictions on social-media features for users under 16. The case adds regulatory uncertainty and potential legal costs. Platforms sue over California teen social-media law
• Negative Sentiment: Meta warned that political backlash and possible limits on data-center construction could complicate its AI expansion. Its $15 billion senior-notes offering also highlights the scale of financing required for investment. Data-center expansion concerns
• Negative Sentiment: Reported ETF net selling and insider share sales may add short-term pressure, although the disclosed insider transaction was made under a pre-arranged trading plan. ETFs are net sellers of Meta Platforms

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have issued reports on META shares. Robert W. Baird cut their price objective on Meta Platforms from $830.00 to $750.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, July 30th. Citic Securities decreased their target price on Meta Platforms from $770.00 to $718.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, August 3rd. Benchmark reiterated a "hold" rating on shares of Meta Platforms in a report on Thursday, August 27th. Arete Research upped their price target on Meta Platforms from $735.00 to $806.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 16th. Finally, Citizens Jmp reissued a "market outperform" rating and set a $885.00 price target on shares of Meta Platforms in a research report on Thursday, October 22nd. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, forty-seven have assigned a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $833.12.

Insider Buying and Selling at Meta Platforms

In related news, CAO Aaron Anderson sold 3,240 shares of the company's 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 directly owned 6,271 shares in the company, valued at $3,875,854.26. This represents a 34.07% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, insider Christopher Cox sold 40,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, September 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $712.76, for a total value of $28,510,400.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 184,516 shares in the company, valued at $131,515,624.16. This represents a 17.82% 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. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 149,398 shares of company stock worth $102,134,435. 13.42% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Meta Platforms Company Profile

Meta Platforms, Inc is a global technology company that develops social networking, messaging, and digital communication products. Its services include Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger, and Threads, which connect people and help businesses reach audiences around the world.

The company also develops virtual and augmented reality products and technologies through its Reality Labs division, including Quest headsets and related software and services. Advertising is a central part of Meta's business, with its platforms providing tools for businesses to promote products and services.

Founded in 2004 as Facebook by Mark Zuckerberg and fellow students, the company changed its name to Meta Platforms in 2021 to reflect its broader focus on building social technologies and immersive digital experiences.

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