CX Institutional trimmed its position in shares of Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META – Free Report) by 11.2% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 44,668 shares of the social networking company’s stock after selling 5,624 shares during the quarter. Meta Platforms makes up 0.9% of CX Institutional’s holdings, making the stock its 25th biggest holding. CX Institutional’s holdings in Meta Platforms were worth $32,392,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.
Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Fairtree Asset Management Pty Ltd grew its stake in Meta Platforms by 18.6% during the second 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 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 acquired a new position in Meta Platforms in the second quarter valued at approximately $3,107,000. Sone Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Meta Platforms by 38.2% during the 2nd 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 boosted its holdings in shares of 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 buying an additional 45,130 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.91% of the company’s stock.
Insiders Place Their Bets
In related news, insider Christopher K. Cox sold 40,000 shares of Meta Platforms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, September 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $712.76, for a total transaction of $28,510,400.00. Following the transaction, the insider owned 184,516 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $131,515,624.16. The trade was a 17.82% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 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 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 disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 151,882 shares of company stock valued at $103,032,319. Corporate insiders own 13.53% of the company’s stock.
Meta Platforms Stock Up 0.3%
Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META – Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results 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 return on equity of 33.18% and a net margin of 29.83%.The business had revenue of $60.80 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $60.22 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $7.14 earnings per share. The company’s revenue was up 28.0% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts forecast that Meta Platforms, Inc. will post 27.94 earnings per share for the current year.
Meta Platforms Announces Dividend
The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 28th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 21st were issued a dividend of $0.5250 per share. This represents a $2.10 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, September 21st. Meta Platforms’s payout ratio is currently 7.91%.
Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth
Several research firms have recently weighed in on META. UBS Group reiterated an “overweight” rating on shares of Meta Platforms in a research note on Wednesday, September 23rd. Rothschild & Co Redburn increased their target price on shares of Meta Platforms from $900.00 to $1,000.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 21st. Arete Research lifted their price target on shares of Meta Platforms from $735.00 to $806.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 16th. Moffett Nathanson decreased their price target on shares of Meta Platforms from $800.00 to $740.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, July 30th. Finally, Monness Crespi & Hardt increased their price objective on shares of Meta Platforms from $730.00 to $830.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, forty-four have issued a Buy rating and ten have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $787.86.
Get Our Latest Analysis on META
Key Headlines Impacting Meta Platforms
Here are the key news stories impacting Meta Platforms this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Meta’s Muse AI agent is gaining significant attention and reportedly surpassed 5 million downloads. Investors see the free product as a potential way to expand engagement, strengthen Meta’s AI ecosystem and eventually support new advertising or commerce revenue. Zuckerberg’s Free AI Agent Hit 5 Million Downloads
- Positive Sentiment: Meta is expanding Muse for small businesses, linking the AI assistant with advertising, sales and operations. That strategy could accelerate ad growth and create a broader commercial use case for Meta’s AI investments. Meta Expands Muse for Small Businesses
- Positive Sentiment: Recent analyst optimism and Meta’s reported claims for billions of dollars in tax credits tied to AI data-center costs are supporting the bullish narrative around advertising growth, AI infrastructure and potential cost relief. Meta Stock Jumps Following Analyst Upgrade
- Neutral Sentiment: Long-time Meta executive Justin Osofsky is leaving to become COO of AI infrastructure company Nscale ahead of its planned IPO. The move highlights demand for Meta’s AI and technology talent but could raise limited concerns about executive departures. Nscale Hires Meta’s Justin Osofsky
- Negative Sentiment: New Mexico prosecutors are seeking between $35 billion and $40 billion in penalties after a jury found Meta misled Facebook users about data privacy. Although the final amount and legal outcome remain unresolved, the potential liability is a major overhang. New Mexico Wants Meta to Pay Up to $40 Billion
- Negative Sentiment: Analysts warn that Meta’s recent rally now depends on Muse generating returns and avoiding privacy-related execution problems. Heavy AI spending could also pressure results if monetization fails to keep pace with investment. Meta Platforms: Things May Get Ugly
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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