Meta Platforms, Inc. $META Stock Sold by Ballew Advisors Inc

Ballew Advisors Inc decreased its holdings in Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META) by 55.6% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 825 shares of the social networking company’s stock after selling 1,032 shares during the period. Ballew Advisors Inc’s holdings in Meta Platforms were worth $600,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the business. Horizons Wealth Management acquired a new stake in shares of Meta Platforms in the third quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Advantage Trust Co acquired a new position in Meta Platforms during the second quarter worth $28,000. Philadelphia Investment Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Meta Platforms in the 2nd quarter valued at $32,000. Axiom Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in Meta Platforms in the 1st quarter valued at $36,000. Finally, Schuylkill Financial LLC purchased a new stake in Meta Platforms in the 2nd quarter valued at $36,000. 79.91% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have recently commented on META. DA Davidson reduced their price target on Meta Platforms from $850.00 to $700.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, July 30th. HSBC dropped their price objective on shares of Meta Platforms from $905.00 to $830.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, July 30th. Arete Research raised their price objective on shares of Meta Platforms from $735.00 to $806.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 16th. Truist Financial reduced their target price on shares of Meta Platforms from $770.00 to $763.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, August 27th. Finally, Monness Crespi & Hardt increased their price target on shares of Meta Platforms from $730.00 to $830.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, September 28th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, forty-four have issued a Buy rating and ten have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Meta Platforms presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $787.86.

Insider Activity

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 in the company, valued at $131,515,624.16. This represents a 17.82% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, CFO Susan J. Li sold 9,196 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $550.61, for a total transaction of $5,063,409.56. Following the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 13,186 shares in the company, valued at $7,260,343.46. This represents a 41.09% decrease in their position. 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 146,647 shares of company stock worth $99,886,901 in the last quarter. Insiders own 13.53% of the company’s stock.

Meta Platforms Trading Up 1.9%

Meta Platforms stock traded up $13.82 during trading on Monday, hitting $741.90. The company had a trading volume of 15,190,492 shares, compared to its average volume of 17,530,553. The stock has a market cap of $1.89 trillion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.94, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.27 and a beta of 1.19. The company has a current ratio of 2.23, a quick ratio of 2.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. Meta Platforms, Inc. has a 1-year low of $520.26 and a 1-year high of $779.82. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $625.52 and its 200-day simple moving average is $615.98.

Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 29th. The social networking company reported $6.18 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $7.19 by ($1.01). Meta Platforms had a return on equity of 33.18% and a net margin of 29.83%.The firm had revenue of $60.80 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $60.22 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $7.14 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 28.0% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts expect 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 paid a dividend of $0.5250 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, September 21st. This represents a $2.10 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.3%. Meta Platforms’s dividend payout ratio is presently 7.91%.

More Meta Platforms News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Muse strengthens Meta’s e-commerce opportunity: Meta’s AI shopping agent is reportedly completing purchases of products such as vintage wine and Levi’s jeans, potentially diverting transactions from Amazon. Shopify’s support for Muse could also help Meta build a broader commerce ecosystem. Meta’s Muse is already pulling one CEO’s purchases away from Amazon
• Positive Sentiment: AI is improving advertising economics: Analysts argue that Meta’s large user base and advertising machine can fund major AI investments. AI-driven targeting, engagement and pricing are supporting revenue growth, while bullish commentary suggests Muse and other AI products could create additional upside. Meta Platforms: The AI Spending Looks Crazy; The Economics Don’t
• Positive Sentiment: Long-term nuclear power access supports AI expansion: The Department of Energy plans to provide Vistra with approximately $4.2 billion to expand nuclear output. Much of the additional capacity is covered by a 20-year power purchase agreement with Meta, helping secure reliable electricity for data centers and reducing a potential infrastructure constraint. Vistra Gets $4.2B Federal Loan to Add Nuclear Power Meta Already Bought
• Neutral Sentiment: Reality Labs strategy may be changing: Reports of a quieter restructuring or reduction in metaverse spending could improve capital discipline and valuation, but the details and financial impact remain unclear. Pay Attention to Meta’s Quiet Dismantling of Its Biggest Mistake
• Negative Sentiment: Spending and legal risks remain: Meta may spend roughly $130 billion to $145 billion on 2026 capital expenditures, raising questions about returns on AI infrastructure. Lawsuits involving training data and intellectual property could further pressure its balance sheet or constrain AI development. Meta AI Plans Could Be Crippled By Lawsuits
• Negative Sentiment: Regulatory and macroeconomic headwinds persist: Meta is challenging U.K. demands for online-safety data, while executives face questioning about AI risks in New York. Separately, investor Steve Weiss trimmed his Meta position as Treasury yields approached 5.26%, highlighting valuation sensitivity to higher rates. Meta, TikTok, X challenge UK watchdog over online safety data demands

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.