Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META - Get Free Report) crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Monday. The stock has a 200-day moving average of $632.30 and traded as high as $647.25. Meta Platforms shares last traded at $641.37, with a volume of 19,091,946 shares.
Key Headlines Impacting Meta Platforms
Here are the key news stories impacting Meta Platforms this week:
- Positive Sentiment: JPMorgan added Meta to its Analyst Focus List as a preferred internet stock, citing the strength of AI-powered advertising and potential new monetization opportunities. The endorsement helped lift shares. Article: Meta stock surges over 5% today: here's why
- Positive Sentiment: Meta released Muse Ember, a lightweight, cost-efficient AI model built for agent tasks such as coding and document processing. Investors may see it as a step toward expanding AI capabilities efficiently. Article: Meta releases Muse Ember
- Neutral Sentiment: Meta is expanding AI age-estimation technology globally on Instagram to identify teen users and apply Teen Account protections. The rollout could help address safety concerns, but comes amid multiple lawsuits alleging harm to teens. Article: Meta expands Instagram's AI age-guessing tech globally
- Negative Sentiment: Investor concerns remain about the scale of Meta’s AI investment: a recent analysis noted that free cash flow turned negative last quarter. Heavy spending could weigh on returns if AI monetization does not keep pace. Article: Meta Platforms Stock: Is it a Steal of a Deal at $650?
Analysts Set New Price Targets
Several equities research analysts recently commented on the stock. Citizens Jmp reaffirmed a "market outperform" rating and issued a $885.00 price objective on shares of Meta Platforms in a research note on Thursday, October 22nd. Tigress Financial reissued a "strong-buy" rating and set a $945.00 target price (down from $995.00) on shares of Meta Platforms in a research note on Thursday, September 24th. Wedbush increased their target price on Meta Platforms from $700.00 to $730.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Thursday, October 22nd. Scotiabank raised their target price on Meta Platforms from $600.00 to $650.00 and gave the stock a "sector perform" rating in a research report on Thursday, October 22nd. Finally, Robert W. Baird lowered their price target on Meta Platforms from $830.00 to $750.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, July 30th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, forty-seven have assigned a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $833.12.
Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on META
Meta Platforms Trading Up 5.1%
The company has a market cap of $1.64 trillion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.87, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.09 and a beta of 1.28. The company's 50 day moving average price is $676.23 and its 200 day moving average price is $632.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30, a quick ratio of 1.90 and a current ratio of 1.90.
Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 22nd. The social networking company reported $7.40 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $6.54 by $0.86. The business had revenue of $64.60 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $63.34 billion. Meta Platforms had a net margin of 31.15% and a return on equity of 30.73%. Meta Platforms's quarterly revenue was up 26.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $7.25 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that Meta Platforms, Inc. will post 29.01 EPS for the current year.
Meta Platforms Dividend Announcement
The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 28th. Stockholders of record on Monday, September 21st were issued a dividend of $0.5250 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, September 21st. This represents a $2.10 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.3%. Meta Platforms's dividend payout ratio is currently 7.16%.
Insider Buying and Selling at Meta Platforms
In other Meta Platforms news, CAO Aaron Anderson sold 3,240 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, September 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $618.06, for a total transaction of $2,002,514.40. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer owned 6,271 shares of the company's stock, valued at $3,875,854.26. This represents a 34.07% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, CEO Mark Zuckerberg sold 27,474 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, September 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $777.44, for a total value 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. Insiders have sold a total of 149,398 shares of company stock worth $102,134,435 in the last 90 days. Company insiders own 13.42% of the company's stock.
Institutional Trading of Meta Platforms
Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Fairtree Asset Management Pty Ltd grew its stake in shares of Meta Platforms by 18.6% during the 2nd quarter. Fairtree Asset Management Pty Ltd now owns 18,777 shares of the social networking company's stock worth $10,577,000 after purchasing an additional 2,939 shares during the period. Madison Wealth Partners Inc lifted its stake in shares of Meta Platforms by 33.6% in the 2nd quarter. Madison Wealth Partners Inc now owns 3,031 shares of the social networking company's stock valued at $1,707,000 after purchasing an additional 763 shares during the period. William John Sempolinski acquired a new position in shares of Meta Platforms in the 2nd quarter valued at $3,107,000. Sone Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Meta Platforms by 38.2% in the 2nd quarter. Sone Capital Management LLC now owns 16,059 shares of the social networking company's stock valued at $9,046,000 after purchasing an additional 4,440 shares during the period. Finally, Lakewood Capital Management LP boosted its holdings in Meta Platforms by 63.7% during the second quarter. Lakewood Capital Management LP now owns 115,985 shares of the social networking company's stock worth $65,333,000 after buying an additional 45,130 shares in the last quarter. 79.91% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
About Meta Platforms
(
Get Free Report)
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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