Meta Platforms, Inc. $META Shares Bought by George Kaiser Family Foundation

Key Points

• George Kaiser Family Foundation increased its Meta stake by 432.5% in the second quarter, purchasing 2,967 additional shares to hold 3,653 shares worth approximately $2.06 million. Institutional investors collectively own 79.91% of Meta’s outstanding stock.
• Meta reported 28% year-over-year revenue growth to $60.8 billion, exceeding expectations, but quarterly EPS of $6.18 missed the $7.19 consensus estimate. Shares opened at $673.31, while analysts maintain a “Moderate Buy” consensus rating with an average price target of $788.88.
• The company announced a quarterly dividend of $0.525 per share, equivalent to $2.10 annually and a 0.3% yield. Investors are also weighing potential AI-driven revenue opportunities against regulatory challenges, heavy infrastructure spending, and recent insider sales.

George Kaiser Family Foundation lifted its position in shares of Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META - Free Report) by 432.5% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 3,653 shares of the social networking company's stock after buying an additional 2,967 shares during the quarter. Meta Platforms makes up 0.2% of George Kaiser Family Foundation's investment portfolio, making the stock its 21st largest position. George Kaiser Family Foundation's holdings in Meta Platforms were worth $2,058,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Emerald Investment Advisers LLC boosted its holdings in Meta Platforms by 8.1% in the second quarter. Emerald Investment Advisers LLC now owns 33,124 shares of the social networking company's stock valued at $18,658,000 after acquiring an additional 2,495 shares during the last quarter. Brilliance Asset Management Ltd. acquired a new stake in Meta Platforms during the second quarter worth about $23,172,000. Westpac Banking Corp raised its holdings in shares of Meta Platforms by 0.8% in the 2nd quarter. Westpac Banking Corp now owns 48,156 shares of the social networking company's stock worth $27,126,000 after purchasing an additional 394 shares during the period. Avanda Investment Management Pte. Ltd. raised its holdings in shares of Meta Platforms by 28.1% in the 2nd quarter. Avanda Investment Management Pte. Ltd. now owns 2,920 shares of the social networking company's stock worth $1,645,000 after purchasing an additional 640 shares during the period. Finally, EP Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Meta Platforms by 16.9% in the 2nd quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 262,961 shares of the social networking company's stock valued at $148,123,000 after purchasing an additional 37,956 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.91% of the company's stock.

Meta Platforms Price Performance

Shares of META stock opened at $673.31 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $1.72 trillion, a PE ratio of 25.36, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.16 and a beta of 1.25. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $605.39 and a 200-day simple moving average of $609.16. The company has a current ratio of 2.23, a quick ratio of 2.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. Meta Platforms, Inc. has a twelve month low of $520.26 and a twelve month high of $790.80.

Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results 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 return on equity of 33.18% and a net margin of 29.83%.The firm had revenue of $60.80 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $60.22 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $7.14 EPS. The business's quarterly revenue was up 28.0% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts anticipate that Meta Platforms, Inc. will post 28.17 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Meta Platforms Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 28th. Stockholders of record on Monday, September 21st will be given a dividend of $0.525 per share. This represents a $2.10 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, September 21st. Meta Platforms's payout ratio is presently 7.91%.

Meta Platforms News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: AI subscriptions create a potential new revenue stream. Meta launched Meta One subscription tiers offering expanded access to AI tools and premium features across Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. The company says the program has reached 15 million subscriptions and trials, supporting the case that Meta can generate recurring revenue beyond advertising. Reuters article on Meta One subscriptions
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts remain bullish. Rosenblatt reaffirmed a Buy rating with an $886 price target, while JPMorgan highlighted improving AI monetization and better advertising performance. Citi also said next week’s developers conference could provide a catalyst if Meta unveils compelling AI and hardware updates. Citi commentary on Meta’s upcoming event
• Positive Sentiment: New hardware and infrastructure initiatives could broaden Meta’s AI ecosystem. Meta reportedly plans to launch camera-free smart glasses this fall, while expanded use of proprietary AI chips could reduce reliance on Nvidia and potentially lower computing costs. Reuters article on camera-free smart glasses
• Neutral Sentiment: Management is defending a faster, company-led AI development strategy. CEO Mark Zuckerberg said Meta delayed its Muse AI agent to address safety concerns but opposed broad development slowdowns, favoring independent evaluators and internal safeguards.
• Negative Sentiment: Regulatory and execution risks remain. BMO identified expanding age-verification requirements as a potential challenge, while new restrictions on youth-oriented advertising practices could increase Meta’s legal and compliance costs. Investors are also watching the company’s large AI infrastructure commitments, which could pressure free cash flow if advertising growth or AI utilization disappoints.
• Neutral Sentiment: Insider selling adds a limited cautionary signal. COO Javier Olivan sold shares worth roughly $1.0 million under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. The transactions reduce his holdings but do not necessarily indicate a change in management’s outlook.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

META has been the subject of a number of research reports. Piper Sandler reiterated an "overweight" rating and set a $785.00 target price (down from $800.00) on shares of Meta Platforms in a report on Thursday, July 30th. Citizens Jmp cut their price target on shares of Meta Platforms from $800.00 to $770.00 and set a "market outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, July 30th. DA Davidson reduced their price target on shares of Meta Platforms from $850.00 to $700.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, July 30th. Susquehanna decreased their price objective on shares of Meta Platforms from $900.00 to $650.00 and set a "positive" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, July 30th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald reissued a "neutral" rating on shares of Meta Platforms in a research report on Friday, September 11th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirty-four have given a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $788.88.

Insider Buying and Selling at Meta Platforms

In related news, COO Javier Olivan sold 946 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Monday, September 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $657.73, for a total value of $622,212.58. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer owned 10,716 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,048,234.68. The trade was a 8.11% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, insider Christopher Cox sold 20,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $650.28, for a total value of $13,005,600.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 244,516 shares of the company's stock, valued at $159,003,864.48. This represents a 7.56% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 61,758 shares of company stock valued at $37,709,420. Company insiders own 13.53% of the company's stock.

Meta Platforms Company Profile

Meta Platforms, Inc develops technologies that help people connect, communicate and build communities online. The company's principal products include Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, WhatsApp and Threads, which enable social networking, messaging, content sharing and digital communication.

Meta generates most of its business through advertising displayed across its family of apps. It also develops artificial intelligence technologies, business messaging tools and hardware and software through its Reality Labs division, including Quest virtual- and mixed-reality devices and related experiences.

The company was founded as Facebook in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg and was renamed Meta Platforms in 2021 to reflect its broader focus on building the metaverse.

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