Meta Platforms, Inc. $META Stake Decreased by Gradient Investments LLC

Key Points

• Gradient Investments reduced its Meta Platforms stake by 41.4% in the third quarter, selling 60,742 shares and retaining 86,137 shares valued at approximately $62.5 million. Institutional investors collectively own 79.91% of Meta’s stock.
• Meta insiders sold 148,222 shares worth about $101 million over the past 90 days, including significant sales by insider Christopher Cox and CFO Susan Li under pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 plans.
• Meta shares recently traded around $712, down 1.3%, while analysts maintained a broadly positive outlook with a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and an average price target of $791.86. The company’s latest results beat revenue estimates but missed earnings expectations.

Gradient Investments LLC lowered its position in Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META - Free Report) by 41.4% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 86,137 shares of the social networking company's stock after selling 60,742 shares during the period. Meta Platforms makes up approximately 0.9% of Gradient Investments LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 21st biggest holding. Gradient Investments LLC's holdings in Meta Platforms were worth $62,465,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in META. Advantage Trust Co bought a new position in Meta Platforms in the second quarter worth approximately $28,000. Niles Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Meta Platforms during the fourth quarter worth $29,000. Philadelphia Investment Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Meta Platforms during the second quarter worth about $32,000. Horizons Wealth Management acquired a new position in shares of Meta Platforms in the 3rd quarter valued at $33,000. Finally, Axiom Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in Meta Platforms in the 1st quarter worth approximately $36,000. 79.91% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Activity at Meta Platforms

In other Meta Platforms news, insider Christopher K. Cox sold 40,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Monday, September 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $712.76, for a total transaction of $28,510,400.00. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 184,516 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $131,515,624.16. This trade represents a 17.82% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, CFO Susan J. Li sold 9,196 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $550.61, for a total value of $5,063,409.56. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 13,186 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,260,343.46. This represents a 41.09% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 148,222 shares of company stock valued at $101,033,627. Corporate insiders own 13.53% of the company's stock.

Meta Platforms Stock Down 1.3%

NASDAQ:META traded down $9.27 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $712.04. The stock had a trading volume of 7,786,114 shares, compared to its average volume of 17,428,604. Meta Platforms, Inc. has a twelve month low of $520.26 and a twelve month high of $779.82. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $634.11 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $618.50. The company has a market capitalization of $1.81 trillion, a PE ratio of 26.92, a PEG ratio of 1.29 and a beta of 1.19. 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 (NASDAQ:META - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, July 29th. The social networking company reported $6.18 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $7.19 by ($1.01). The firm had revenue of $60.80 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $60.22 billion. Meta Platforms had a return on equity of 33.18% and a net margin of 29.83%.The business's revenue for the quarter was up 28.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $7.14 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Meta Platforms, Inc. will post 27.94 EPS for the current year.

Meta Platforms Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 28th. Investors of record on Monday, September 21st were given a $0.5250 dividend. This represents a $2.10 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, September 21st. Meta Platforms's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 7.91%.

Meta Platforms News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: TD Cowen reaffirmed its “Buy” rating and set an $865 price target, implying roughly 20% upside from recent levels. The firm’s view supports the case that Meta’s AI investments can drive future growth. TD Cowen rating report
• Positive Sentiment: Meta’s Muse AI assistant launched on iPad shortly after its mobile debut and has topped app-download charts. Sustained adoption could create a new consumer platform and improve the long-term payoff from Meta’s AI spending. Meta Muse launches on iPad
• Positive Sentiment: Meta and Sierra are developing the Personal Agent Protocol with partners including Shopify, Stripe, Walmart and Genesys. An open standard for AI agents to transact with businesses could expand Meta’s role in AI commerce and customer interactions. Meta and Sierra AI agent protocol
• Positive Sentiment: Wells Fargo recently raised its price target to $1,000 and maintained an Overweight rating, citing enthusiasm around the Muse product cycle. A broad analyst consensus remains “Moderate Buy.” Wells Fargo raises Meta price target
• Neutral Sentiment: Meta is collaborating with AMD, Broadcom, Microsoft and Arista Networks on open, high-density Ethernet infrastructure. The effort may improve AI data-center flexibility, but it also underscores the scale of capital spending required. AI infrastructure collaboration
• Neutral Sentiment: Manus raised more than $500 million after Meta unwound its proposed acquisition of the Chinese AI startup. The financing gives Manus independence but highlights that Meta no longer controls a potentially valuable AI asset. Manus funding after Meta exit
• Negative Sentiment: Florida’s attorney general is seeking restrictions on users under 14 and wants a court to limit features such as Instagram and Facebook’s infinite scroll. Potential product restrictions, compliance costs and reduced engagement pose risks to advertising revenue. Florida legal action against Meta
• Negative Sentiment: Investors remain concerned that Meta and other hyperscalers are burning cash on AI data centers before returns are proven. Meta’s AI strategy primarily depends on monetizing its own apps rather than selling cloud capacity externally, increasing execution risk. AI infrastructure cash-flow analysis
• Negative Sentiment: COO Javier Olivan sold shares through a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 plan. While the transactions are not necessarily a warning, insider selling can modestly weigh on sentiment. Meta insider sale filing

Analyst Ratings Changes

META has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Canaccord Genuity Group upped their target price on Meta Platforms from $930.00 to $950.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, September 25th. Wolfe Research reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and issued a $700.00 price target on shares of Meta Platforms in a report on Thursday, July 30th. Piper Sandler lifted their target price on shares of Meta Platforms from $785.00 to $875.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, September 25th. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price objective on Meta Platforms from $710.00 to $875.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, September 22nd. Finally, Bank of America reissued a "buy" rating and set a $810.00 price target on shares of Meta Platforms in a research report on Tuesday, September 22nd. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, forty-four have given a Buy rating and ten have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $791.86.

Meta Platforms Profile

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.

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