Moody National Bank Trust Division cut its position in Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META – Free Report) by 13.6% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 15,707 shares of the social networking company’s stock after selling 2,463 shares during the quarter. Meta Platforms makes up approximately 0.8% of Moody National Bank Trust Division’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 16th largest holding. Moody National Bank Trust Division’s holdings in Meta Platforms were worth $11,390,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.
Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Horizons Wealth Management bought a new position in shares of Meta Platforms during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $33,000. Advantage Trust Co acquired a new stake in Meta Platforms in the second quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Philadelphia Investment Partners LLC purchased a new position in Meta Platforms in the second quarter worth $32,000. Axiom Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in Meta Platforms in the first quarter worth $36,000. Finally, Schuylkill Financial LLC acquired a new position in shares of Meta Platforms during the second quarter worth $36,000. 79.91% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.
Insider Activity at Meta Platforms
In related news, insider Christopher Cox sold 40,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, September 21st. The shares were 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 approximately $131,515,624.16. This represents a 17.82% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, COO Javier Olivan sold 946 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, September 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $750.42, for a total transaction of $709,897.32. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer directly owned 8,824 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $6,621,706.08. This represents a 9.68% 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. Insiders have sold a total of 146,647 shares of company stock worth $99,886,901 over the last quarter. Insiders own 13.53% of the company’s stock.
Meta Platforms Stock Performance
Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META – Get Free Report) last issued its 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). The firm had revenue of $60.80 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $60.22 billion. Meta Platforms had a return on equity of 33.18% and a net margin of 29.83%.The business’s revenue was up 28.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $7.14 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that Meta Platforms, Inc. will post 27.94 EPS for the current fiscal year.
Meta Platforms Dividend Announcement
The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 28th. Investors 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 payout ratio is 7.91%.
Analysts Set New Price Targets
META has been the subject of several analyst reports. China Renaissance decreased their price objective on Meta Platforms from $825.00 to $700.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Friday, July 31st. Arete Research boosted their target price on Meta Platforms from $735.00 to $806.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 16th. President Capital upgraded Meta Platforms from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and increased their price target for the company from $660.00 to $897.00 in a research note on Thursday, September 24th. Rothschild & Co Redburn raised their price target on Meta Platforms from $900.00 to $1,000.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 21st. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald boosted their price target on Meta Platforms from $680.00 to $860.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 23rd. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, forty-four have given a Buy rating and ten have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $791.86.
View Our Latest Analysis on META
Meta Platforms News Roundup
Here are the key news stories impacting Meta Platforms this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Wells Fargo raised its price target on Meta from $796 to $1,000 while maintaining an Overweight rating, citing investor enthusiasm for the company’s Muse AI product cycle. Why this analyst expects Meta stock to hit $1,000
- Positive Sentiment: Muse is being positioned as a consumer-focused AI agent capable of handling tasks such as shopping, increasing expectations that Meta could create new commerce and advertising revenue streams. Commentators have suggested it could capture significant market share from competing AI platforms. Meta’s Muse is already pulling one CEO’s purchases away from Amazon
- Positive Sentiment: Meta joined Walmart, OpenAI Chairman Bret Taylor’s Sierra and other companies to develop standards for commercial transactions involving AI bots. Common standards could make agent-based commerce easier to scale and improve Meta’s ability to participate in the emerging market. Meta joins group of companies to tame chaos of doing business with AI bots
- Positive Sentiment: Meta is testing a Reels-first Facebook experience in India, directing some users immediately into full-screen video. The move could increase video engagement, ad inventory and monetization if adopted more broadly. Facebook tests going Reels-first in India
- Positive Sentiment: Meta’s long-term nuclear power agreement with Vistra supports reliable electricity supplies for its growing AI data-center footprint, though it also highlights the substantial infrastructure costs associated with AI expansion. Vistra nuclear power agreement
- Neutral Sentiment: Meta’s AI strategy is attracting enthusiasm despite projected capital spending of roughly $130 billion to $145 billion in 2026. Investors are weighing the potential for stronger advertising and AI monetization against the need for substantial upfront investment. Meta Platforms: The AI spending looks crazy; the economics don’t
- Negative Sentiment: New Mexico is seeking damages that could reach $40 billion in a case against Meta, with a judge expected to rule this month. Such a penalty would materially threaten earnings and could constrain AI investment. New Mexico wants Meta to pay up to $40 billion
- Negative Sentiment: Meta is challenging UK demands for information under the country’s online-safety regime, while separate lawsuits could increase regulatory costs and create uncertainty around its AI plans. Meta challenges UK watchdog data demands
- Negative Sentiment: Some investors are becoming more cautious as Treasury yields rise; one portfolio manager disclosed trimming his Meta position. The stock’s recent surge also leaves it vulnerable to profit-taking if Muse adoption or monetization disappoints. Analyst trims Meta amid rising yields
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.
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