General Partner Inc. Decreases Holdings in Meta Platforms, Inc. $META

General Partner Inc. lowered its position in shares of Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META) by 34.9% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 3,108 shares of the social networking company’s stock after selling 1,668 shares during the period. Meta Platforms accounts for approximately 1.3% of General Partner Inc.’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 22nd largest holding. General Partner Inc.’s holdings in Meta Platforms were worth $2,254,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Horizons Wealth Management bought a new position in Meta Platforms in the third quarter valued at about $33,000. Baker Tilly Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in Meta Platforms by 5.5% during the 3rd quarter. Baker Tilly Wealth Management LLC now owns 8,576 shares of the social networking company’s stock worth $6,219,000 after purchasing an additional 445 shares during the last quarter. Ferguson Wellman Capital Management Inc. raised its holdings in Meta Platforms by 69.5% during the 3rd quarter. Ferguson Wellman Capital Management Inc. now owns 99,735 shares of the social networking company’s stock worth $72,326,000 after purchasing an additional 40,878 shares during the last quarter. Eastern Bank lifted its position in Meta Platforms by 5.6% during the 3rd quarter. Eastern Bank now owns 151,949 shares of the social networking company’s stock valued at $110,190,000 after purchasing an additional 8,029 shares during the period. Finally, Violich Capital Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Meta Platforms by 4.1% in the 3rd quarter. Violich Capital Management Inc. now owns 5,845 shares of the social networking company’s stock valued at $4,239,000 after purchasing an additional 230 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.91% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity at Meta Platforms

In other Meta Platforms news, insider Christopher K. Cox sold 40,000 shares of the business’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 sale, the insider directly owned 184,516 shares of the company’s stock, 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 SEC, which is available through this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, CTO Andrew Bosworth sold 7,848 shares of the 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 owned 828 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $462,024. This represents a 90.46% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 146,647 shares of company stock worth $99,886,901. 13.53% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an “outperform” rating and issued a $770.00 price objective on shares of Meta Platforms in a report on Thursday, September 24th. DA Davidson dropped their target price on shares of Meta Platforms from $850.00 to $700.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, July 30th. Moffett Nathanson cut their target price on Meta Platforms from $800.00 to $740.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, July 30th. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their target price on Meta Platforms from $710.00 to $875.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 22nd. Finally, Bank of America reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $810.00 price target on shares of Meta Platforms in a research note on Tuesday, September 22nd. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, forty-four have given a Buy rating and ten have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Meta Platforms presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $787.86.

Meta Platforms Stock Up 2.2%

Shares of Meta Platforms stock traded up $16.01 on Monday, hitting $744.09. The company had a trading volume of 7,876,221 shares, compared to its average volume of 17,492,621. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $625.52 and a 200-day moving average of $615.98. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 2.23 and a quick ratio of 2.23. Meta Platforms, Inc. has a twelve month low of $520.26 and a twelve month high of $779.82. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.90 trillion, a P/E ratio of 28.02, a P/E/G ratio of 1.27 and a beta of 1.19.

Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 29th. The social networking company reported $6.18 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $7.19 by ($1.01). Meta Platforms had a net margin of 29.83% and a return on equity of 33.18%. The company had revenue of $60.80 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $60.22 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $7.14 earnings per share. The company’s revenue was up 28.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts predict that Meta Platforms, Inc. will post 27.94 earnings per share for the current year.

Meta Platforms Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared 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 of this dividend was Monday, September 21st. This represents a $2.10 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.3%. Meta Platforms’s dividend payout ratio is 7.91%.

Trending Headlines about Meta Platforms

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

• Positive Sentiment: Meta’s advertising business delivered its strongest monthly stock performance in three years. Analysts see additional upside if ad growth, pricing and AI-driven monetization continue to support a higher 2027 valuation. Meta Stock Could Have Another Big Run Ahead
• Positive Sentiment: A bullish analysis awarded Meta a Buy rating, arguing that its large user base and advertising cash flow can fund AI investments. Revenue growth of 28% year over year has outpaced user growth, indicating better monetization through higher ad prices and engagement. Meta Platforms: The AI Spending Looks Crazy; The Economics Don’t
• Positive Sentiment: Commentary on Meta’s Muse AI launch suggests the technology could become a major catalyst for commerce and advertising, with one forecast envisioning a path toward $1,000 per share. The outlook is speculative but adds to the positive AI narrative. Meta Muse: Sparking the AI Revolution
• Neutral Sentiment: Meta executives are scheduled to testify before New York City officials about AI risks and possible legislation. The hearing could increase regulatory scrutiny, though no immediate financial impact was announced. AI Executives Set to Testify at NYC Council Hearing
• Negative Sentiment: Meta, TikTok and X are challenging Ofcom’s demands for information under the United Kingdom’s online-safety regime. The dispute highlights potential compliance costs and regulatory exposure. Meta, TikTok and X Challenge UK Watchdog
• Negative Sentiment: Meta’s planned AI infrastructure spending—estimated at $130 billion to $145 billion by 2026—raises execution and return-on-investment risks. Investors need evidence that AI monetization will justify the unusually large capital commitments. Meta AI Spending Analysis
• Negative Sentiment: Several lawsuits could create substantial liabilities and reduce Meta’s ability to spend on chips and data centers, presenting a direct risk to its AI strategy. Meta AI Plans Could Be Crippled by Lawsuits
• Negative Sentiment: Investor Steve Weiss said he reduced his Meta position as the 10-year Treasury yield approached 5.26%. Higher yields can pressure valuations for high-growth technology stocks and make Meta’s future cash flows less attractive. Analyst Sells Cisco and Trims Meta

Meta Platforms 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.