Meta Platforms, Inc. $META Stock Position Cut by Aware Super Pty Ltd as trustee of Aware Super

Aware Super Pty Ltd as trustee of Aware Super decreased its holdings in shares of Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META - Free Report) by 0.6% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 259,457 shares of the social networking company's stock after selling 1,640 shares during the quarter. Meta Platforms accounts for approximately 2.5% of Aware Super Pty Ltd as trustee of Aware Super's investment portfolio, making the stock its 6th largest position. Aware Super Pty Ltd as trustee of Aware Super's holdings in Meta Platforms were worth $188,153,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Challenger Wealth Management lifted its holdings in Meta Platforms by 8.4% during the 3rd quarter. Challenger Wealth Management now owns 711 shares of the social networking company's stock worth $515,000 after buying an additional 55 shares during the period. Tucker Asset Management LLC grew its position in Meta Platforms by 12.8% in the 3rd quarter. Tucker Asset Management LLC now owns 404 shares of the social networking company's stock valued at $293,000 after purchasing an additional 46 shares during the period. Garde Capital Inc. increased its position in shares of Meta Platforms by 3.8% during the third quarter. Garde Capital Inc. now owns 14,861 shares of the social networking company's stock worth $10,777,000 after acquiring an additional 544 shares in the last quarter. Gerber Kawasaki Wealth & Investment Management lifted its holdings in shares of Meta Platforms by 9.0% in the third quarter. Gerber Kawasaki Wealth & Investment Management now owns 58,680 shares of the social networking company's stock valued at $42,554,000 after purchasing an additional 4,865 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Elevate Wealth Advisory Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Meta Platforms in the 3rd quarter worth $346,000. Institutional investors own 79.91% of the company's stock.

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

Insider Transactions at Meta Platforms

In other news, CTO Andrew Bosworth sold 7,848 shares of Meta Platforms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $558.00, for a total transaction of $4,379,184.00. Following the transaction, the chief technology officer directly owned 828 shares of the company's stock, valued at $462,024. The trade was a 90.46% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, CAO Aaron Anderson sold 3,240 shares of Meta Platforms stock in a transaction on Thursday, September 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $618.06, for a total transaction of $2,002,514.40. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer owned 6,271 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,875,854.26. This trade represents a 34.07% 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. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 149,398 shares of company stock valued at $102,134,435. Company insiders own 13.42% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have issued reports on the company. Roth Capital reduced their price objective on Meta Platforms from $820.00 to $750.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, August 3rd. KeyCorp lifted their price target on Meta Platforms from $900.00 to $905.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Thursday, October 22nd. Royal Bank Of Canada upped their target price on shares of Meta Platforms from $770.00 to $800.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Thursday, October 22nd. DA Davidson boosted their price objective on Meta Platforms from $700.00 to $800.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, October 22nd. Finally, BNP Paribas Exane decreased their price target 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. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, forty-seven have given a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Meta Platforms presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $833.12.

Meta Platforms Stock Performance

NASDAQ:META opened at $610.15 on Monday. The company has a market cap of $1.56 trillion, a PE ratio of 20.80, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.06 and a beta of 1.28. The company has a current ratio of 1.90, a quick ratio of 1.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $674.97 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $632.16. Meta Platforms, Inc. has a 12 month low of $520.26 and a 12 month high of $779.82.

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

Meta Platforms Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 28th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 21st were given a $0.5250 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, September 21st. This represents a $2.10 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.3%. Meta Platforms's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 7.16%.

Meta Platforms 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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