Meta Platforms, Inc. $META Stock Sold by Bell Asset Management Ltd

Key Points

• Bell Asset Management reduced its Meta position by 35.6% in the third quarter, selling 5,440 shares and retaining 9,856 shares worth approximately $7.15 million. Institutional investors and hedge funds collectively own 79.91% of Meta.
• Meta reported quarterly revenue of $60.80 billion, up 28% year over year, but earnings of $6.18 per share missed analysts’ $7.19 estimate. The stock opened at $720.89, with analysts maintaining a “Moderate Buy” consensus and an average price target of $791.86.
• Investors are weighing Meta’s AI-driven growth opportunities against concerns about heavy data-center spending, website restrictions on its Muse AI agent and potential Florida regulations affecting teen engagement. Meta also recently initiated a $0.525 quarterly dividend, yielding about 0.3%.

Bell Asset Management Ltd lessened its position in shares of Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META - Free Report) by 35.6% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 9,856 shares of the social networking company's stock after selling 5,440 shares during the period. Meta Platforms comprises 2.6% of Bell Asset Management Ltd's investment portfolio, making the stock its 7th biggest holding. Bell Asset Management Ltd's holdings in Meta Platforms were worth $7,147,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of META. Fairtree Asset Management Pty Ltd boosted its holdings in Meta Platforms by 18.6% in the 2nd quarter. Fairtree Asset Management Pty Ltd now owns 18,777 shares of the social networking company's stock valued at $10,577,000 after purchasing an additional 2,939 shares during the period. Madison Wealth Partners Inc boosted its stake in shares of Meta Platforms by 33.6% in the second quarter. Madison Wealth Partners Inc now owns 3,031 shares of the social networking company's stock valued at $1,707,000 after buying an additional 763 shares during the period. William John Sempolinski bought a new stake in shares of Meta Platforms in the second quarter valued at approximately $3,107,000. Sone Capital Management LLC grew its position in Meta Platforms by 38.2% during the second quarter. Sone Capital Management LLC now owns 16,059 shares of the social networking company's stock worth $9,046,000 after buying an additional 4,440 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Lakewood Capital Management LP increased its stake in Meta Platforms by 63.7% during the 2nd quarter. Lakewood Capital Management LP now owns 115,985 shares of the social networking company's stock worth $65,333,000 after acquiring an additional 45,130 shares during the period. 79.91% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Trending Headlines about Meta Platforms

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

• Positive Sentiment: Meta’s growing role in the micro-drama market could create a new advertising revenue stream. Short-form serialized shows are expanding beyond China, and the platform is becoming an important distribution channel for this content. Why Meta is winning the micro drama wars
• Positive Sentiment: Wells Fargo reportedly set a $1,000 price target, citing AI as a potential catalyst, while TD Cowen reaffirmed its “buy” rating with an $865 target. These targets imply analysts see substantial upside if Meta converts AI investment into higher engagement, advertising and commerce revenue. Meta Could Hit $1,000, Says Wells Fargo
• Positive Sentiment: Meta’s Muse assistant continues to expand, including a new iPad app, and the company is working with Sierra, Shopify, Stripe and Walmart on standards for AI agents to interact with businesses. Successful agentic commerce could eventually provide Meta with transaction-based revenue. Meta's Muse launches on iPad
• Neutral Sentiment: President Donald Trump disclosed purchases of as much as $25 million in Meta stock, a headline that may support investor sentiment but does not change the company’s fundamentals. Trump bought up to $25 million in Meta
• Negative Sentiment: Jefferies found that roughly one-third of tested websites blocked Meta’s Muse agent. Access limitations could delay Meta’s plans to earn transaction fees from AI-powered shopping and other agentic-commerce services. Meta's Muse AI agent blocked by websites
• Negative Sentiment: Florida is pursuing restrictions on Meta’s platforms, including a possible ban for users under 14 and limits on infinite scrolling for teenagers. Such rules could reduce engagement, advertising inventory and the effectiveness of Meta’s core products while increasing legal costs. Meta Stock Falls as Florida challenges infinite scroll
• Negative Sentiment: Investors remain concerned that Meta’s substantial AI data-center spending is consuming cash before returns are clear. Commentary also highlights criticism of CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s AI strategy and the risk that AI infrastructure becomes a prolonged cash-flow drag. Why AI Infrastructure Is Turning Meta and Amazon Into Cash-Flow Sinks

Meta Platforms Stock Performance

NASDAQ:META opened at $720.89 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a quick ratio of 2.23 and a current ratio of 2.23. Meta Platforms, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $520.26 and a fifty-two week high of $779.82. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $637.74 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $619.40. The company has a market capitalization of $1.84 trillion, a PE ratio of 27.15, a P/E/G ratio of 1.26 and a beta of 1.19.

Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 29th. The social networking company reported $6.18 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates 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 during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $60.22 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $7.14 EPS. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 28.0% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts anticipate that Meta Platforms, Inc. will post 27.94 earnings per share for the current year.

Meta Platforms Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 28th. Stockholders of record on Monday, September 21st were issued a $0.5250 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, September 21st. This represents a $2.10 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.3%. Meta Platforms's dividend payout ratio is currently 7.91%.

Insider Activity

In other news, insider Christopher Cox sold 40,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred 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 transaction, the insider owned 184,516 shares in the company, valued at $131,515,624.16. The trade was a 17.82% decrease in their position. The sale 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 the company's stock in a transaction on Thursday, September 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $618.06, for a total value of $2,002,514.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer owned 6,271 shares of the company's stock, valued at $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 90 days, insiders have sold 148,222 shares of company stock worth $101,033,627. Corporate insiders own 13.53% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on META. Truist Financial cut their target price on Meta Platforms from $770.00 to $763.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, August 27th. Piper Sandler boosted their price target on Meta Platforms from $785.00 to $875.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Friday, September 25th. Robert W. Baird reduced their price objective on shares of Meta Platforms from $830.00 to $750.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, July 30th. DZ Bank reiterated a "buy" rating on shares of Meta Platforms in a research note on Thursday, July 30th. Finally, Moffett Nathanson decreased their target price on shares of Meta Platforms from $800.00 to $740.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, July 30th. Three equities research 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 company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Meta Platforms presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $791.86.

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.

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