Meta Platforms, Inc. $META Stock Bought by GFG Capital LLC

Key Points

• GFG Capital increased its Meta stake by 27.5% in the second quarter, bringing its holdings to 22,639 shares valued at approximately $12.75 million. Institutional investors collectively own about 79.9% of Meta’s outstanding stock.
• Meta reported quarterly revenue of $60.8 billion, up 28% year over year and above estimates, but earnings of $6.18 per share missed the $7.19 consensus. Shares opened at $739.43, near the upper end of their one-year range.
• Analysts maintain a generally positive outlook, with Meta receiving a “Moderate Buy” consensus rating and an average price target of $787.86. Investors are focused on the growth potential of Meta’s AI initiatives, while also weighing rising infrastructure costs, competition, privacy concerns and regulatory risks.

GFG Capital LLC raised its stake in Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META - Free Report) by 27.5% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 22,639 shares of the social networking company's stock after acquiring an additional 4,879 shares during the period. Meta Platforms makes up 3.1% of GFG Capital LLC's portfolio, making the stock its 10th largest holding. GFG Capital LLC's holdings in Meta Platforms were worth $12,752,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. RHL Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Meta Platforms in the fourth quarter worth about $28,000. Advantage Trust Co purchased a new stake in shares of Meta Platforms in the second quarter worth about $28,000. Niles Investment Management LLC bought a new position in Meta Platforms during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Philadelphia Investment Partners LLC purchased a new position in Meta Platforms during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Finally, Axiom Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in Meta Platforms during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.91% of the company's stock.

Meta Platforms Price Performance

Shares of Meta Platforms stock opened at $739.43 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of $1.88 trillion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.85, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.25 and a beta of 1.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a quick ratio of 2.23 and a current ratio of 2.23. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $618.47 and a 200-day moving average price of $613.86. Meta Platforms, Inc. has a one year low of $520.26 and a one year high of $779.82.

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 for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $7.19 by ($1.01). The company had revenue of $60.80 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $60.22 billion. Meta Platforms had a net margin of 29.83% and a return on equity of 33.18%. The business's quarterly revenue was up 28.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $7.14 EPS. Equities analysts expect that Meta Platforms, Inc. will post 27.94 EPS for the current year.

Meta Platforms Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 28th. Shareholders 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 7.91%.

Key Headlines Impacting Meta Platforms

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

• Positive Sentiment: Meta expanded Muse for Small Business, adding integrations with Shopify, QuickBooks, Stripe, Canva, Dropbox and Slack. The initiative could create subscription, transaction and enterprise-software revenue streams while reducing the company’s reliance on digital advertising. Meta expands Muse AI agent for small businesses
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts highlighted Muse’s rapid adoption and potential to become a multibillion-dollar growth catalyst. Its integration with Meta’s large Facebook, Instagram, Messenger and WhatsApp user base may support future subscriptions, commerce fees, advertising improvements and AI-api revenue. Beyond advertising: analysts align on Meta Muse
• Positive Sentiment: Meta’s push into business AI was reinforced by its new Meta Enterprise Platform and the hiring of former MongoDB CEO Chirantan “CJ” Desai to lead the effort. The move signals an attempt to monetize substantial AI infrastructure spending through corporate customers. Meta launches enterprise AI platform
• Positive Sentiment: Monness Crespi & Hardt raised its META price target to $830 from $730 and maintained a Buy rating. Analysts also point to AI-driven increases in advertising engagement, clicks and conversions as evidence that current investments may strengthen Meta’s core business. Meta Platforms price target raised
• Neutral Sentiment: Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg sold 27,474 shares for approximately $21.4 million under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 plan. Because the sale was scheduled in advance, it is not necessarily a signal about the company’s outlook. Mark Zuckerberg sells Meta shares
• Negative Sentiment: OpenAI unveiled its always-on Dots agents, creating a direct competitive threat to Muse in consumer and enterprise AI. Reports that Muse exposed private information, including a user’s address, also raise privacy, safety, regulatory and reputational risks. OpenAI unveils Dots agents
• Negative Sentiment: Investors continue to weigh Meta’s sharply higher AI and data-center expenses against uncertain returns. The company also faces scrutiny over teen safety, data practices and potential regulation, which could increase costs or constrain monetization.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Christopher K. Cox sold 40,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated 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 in the company, valued at approximately $131,515,624.16. This represents a 17.82% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, CEO Mark Zuckerberg sold 27,474 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, September 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $777.44, for a total transaction of $21,359,386.56. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 150,307 shares of company stock valued at $101,851,357. 13.53% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

META has been the topic of several recent research reports. Phillip Securities raised Meta Platforms from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating and decreased their price objective for the stock from $795.00 to $750.00 in a report on Monday, August 3rd. Citizens Jmp raised their target price on shares of Meta Platforms from $770.00 to $885.00 and gave the company a "market outperform" rating in a report on Thursday, September 24th. Loop Capital boosted their price target on shares of Meta Platforms from $740.00 to $955.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, September 24th. Wolfe Research reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and set a $700.00 price target on shares of Meta Platforms in a research note on Thursday, July 30th. Finally, CICC Research lowered their price objective on shares of Meta Platforms from $773.00 to $700.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, July 31st. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, forty-four have issued a Buy rating and ten have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Meta Platforms presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $787.86.

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.

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding META? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META - Free Report).

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.