Meta Platforms, Inc. $META Stock: WealthPlan Investment Management LLC Trims Stake

WealthPlan Investment Management LLC reduced its stake in shares of Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META) by 5.0% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 38,918 shares of the social networking company’s stock after selling 2,053 shares during the quarter. Meta Platforms comprises about 1.3% of WealthPlan Investment Management LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 17th biggest position. WealthPlan Investment Management LLC’s holdings in Meta Platforms were worth $28,222,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. C2P Capital Advisory Group LLC d.b.a. Prosperity Capital Advisors increased its position in Meta Platforms by 12.2% during the 3rd quarter. C2P Capital Advisory Group LLC d.b.a. Prosperity Capital Advisors now owns 4,592 shares of the social networking company’s stock valued at $3,331,000 after purchasing an additional 500 shares during the period. Nvwm LLC lifted its position in shares of Meta Platforms by 1.2% in the 3rd quarter. Nvwm LLC now owns 12,617 shares of the social networking company’s stock worth $9,150,000 after purchasing an additional 151 shares during the period. KG Capital Management lifted its position in shares of Meta Platforms by 4.1% in the 3rd quarter. KG Capital Management now owns 1,793 shares of the social networking company’s stock worth $1,300,000 after purchasing an additional 71 shares during the period. Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH lifted its position in shares of Meta Platforms by 0.8% in the 3rd quarter. Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH now owns 938,148 shares of the social networking company’s stock worth $680,326,000 after purchasing an additional 7,182 shares during the period. Finally, B.A. Schrock Wealth Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of Meta Platforms during the third quarter valued at approximately $2,751,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.91% of the company’s stock.

Meta Platforms Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ META traded down $27.39 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $709.33. The stock had a trading volume of 20,582,358 shares, compared to its average volume of 22,124,532. 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 company has a 50 day moving average of $655.78 and a two-hundred day moving average of $625.86. Meta Platforms, Inc. has a twelve month low of $520.26 and a twelve month high of $779.82. The firm has a market cap of $1.81 trillion, a PE ratio of 26.72, a PEG ratio of 1.27 and a beta of 1.19.

Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META) last issued 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). Meta Platforms had a return on equity of 33.18% and a net margin of 29.83%. The business had revenue of $60.80 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $60.22 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $7.14 EPS. Meta Platforms’s quarterly revenue was up 28.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts predict that Meta Platforms, Inc. will post 28.15 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Meta Platforms Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 28th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 21st were issued a $0.5250 dividend. This represents a $2.10 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, September 21st. Meta Platforms’s dividend payout ratio is presently 7.91%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Meta Platforms

In related news, COO Javier Olivan sold 946 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $728.10, for a total transaction of $688,782.60. Following the sale, the chief operating officer directly owned 6,932 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $5,047,189.20. This trade represents a 12.01% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal 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, CEO Mark Zuckerberg sold 27,474 shares of Meta Platforms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, September 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $777.44, for a total transaction of $21,359,386.56. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 149,797 shares of company stock valued at $102,180,385. 13.53% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on META shares. Needham & Company LLC restated a “hold” rating on shares of Meta Platforms in a report on Thursday, August 27th. HSBC cut their price target on Meta Platforms from $905.00 to $830.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, July 30th. Citigroup boosted their price target on Meta Platforms from $800.00 to $895.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday. Rosenblatt Securities reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $886.00 price target on shares of Meta Platforms in a research report on Tuesday. Finally, Loop Capital upped their price objective on Meta Platforms from $740.00 to $955.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, September 24th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, forty-six have given a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $808.88.

Key Meta Platforms News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Bank of America expects Meta to exceed third-quarter revenue expectations, forecasting $63.8 billion versus a $63.3 billion consensus estimate, and maintained a Buy rating with an $810 price target. Meta expected to beat revenue forecasts as AI boosts advertising, says Bank of America
• Positive Sentiment: Meta released the open-weight Muse Spark model for coding and AI-agent tasks, while its collaboration with Apple enables developers to run the model locally on high-end Mac computers. The developments could broaden adoption of Meta’s AI technology and reduce reliance on cloud infrastructure. Meta releases open-weight Muse Spark model
• Positive Sentiment: JPMorgan reaffirmed its Overweight rating and set a $920 price target, implying substantial upside, while other analysts including KeyCorp and Rosenblatt also maintained positive ratings. JPMorgan reaffirms Meta rating
• Neutral Sentiment: Meta is expected to report third-quarter results on October 21. Investors will focus on advertising growth, user metrics, profitability, capital expenditures, and management’s outlook for AI infrastructure spending. Meta Q3 earnings estimates
• Neutral Sentiment: Meta withdrew $25 million from a previously announced $65 million effort to support political candidates considered favorable to the AI industry. The move may reduce near-term spending but signals a change in its political strategy. Meta Withdraws $25 Million from Its Midterms Push
• Negative Sentiment: Analyst-related pressure is weighing on the stock after Goldman Sachs lowered its expectations and Meta was reported down following an analyst downgrade, countering the more bullish JPMorgan view. Meta stock price down on analyst downgrade
• Negative Sentiment: Investors remain concerned that AI infrastructure spending could reach approximately $205 billion in 2027. Heavy capital expenditures are reducing free cash flow, while potential legal charges and regulatory scrutiny add to earnings risk. Meta AI spending could hit $205 billion
• Negative Sentiment: Seven U.S. senators are questioning Meta’s claim of $6.6 billion in research tax credits for AI data centers, creating potential tax liability and reputational risk. Senators question Meta AI data-center tax credits

Meta Platforms Company 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.