Meta Platforms, Inc. $META Stock Bought by Rakuten Investment Management Inc.

Rakuten Investment Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META) by 10.6% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 489,194 shares of the social networking company’s stock after acquiring an additional 46,961 shares during the period. Meta Platforms comprises about 0.9% of Rakuten Investment Management Inc.’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 12th biggest holding. Rakuten Investment Management Inc.’s holdings in Meta Platforms were worth $361,412,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of META. Horizons Wealth Management acquired a new stake in Meta Platforms during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Advantage Trust Co purchased a new stake in Meta Platforms during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Philadelphia Investment Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Meta Platforms during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $32,000. Axiom Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Meta Platforms in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Finally, Schuylkill Financial LLC acquired a new position in shares of Meta Platforms in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $36,000. 79.91% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Meta Platforms Trading Up 5.1%

NASDAQ:META opened at $641.37 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.90, a current ratio of 1.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30. The business’s 50 day moving average is $676.23 and its two-hundred day moving average is $632.30. Meta Platforms, Inc. has a 52 week low of $520.26 and a 52 week high of $779.82. The company has a market cap of $1.64 trillion, a PE ratio of 21.87, a P/E/G ratio of 1.09 and a beta of 1.28.

Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, October 22nd. The social networking company reported $7.40 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $6.54 by $0.86. Meta Platforms had a return on equity of 30.73% and a net margin of 31.15%. The company had revenue of $64.60 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $63.34 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $7.25 EPS. The business’s revenue was up 26.1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts predict that Meta Platforms, Inc. will post 29.01 EPS for the current year.

Meta Platforms Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed 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 was Monday, September 21st. This represents a $2.10 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.3%. Meta Platforms’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 7.16%.

Insider Activity

In other Meta Platforms news, CFO Susan J. Li sold 9,196 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $550.61, for a total transaction of $5,063,409.56. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer owned 13,186 shares in the company, valued at $7,260,343.46. The trade was a 41.09% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed 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, CAO Aaron Anderson sold 3,240 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, September 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $618.06, for a total transaction of $2,002,514.40. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer directly owned 6,271 shares in the company, valued at $3,875,854.26. This trade represents a 34.07% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders sold a total of 149,398 shares of company stock valued at $102,134,435 over the last three months. 13.42% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Meta Platforms News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: JPMorgan added Meta to its Analyst Focus List as a preferred internet stock, citing the strength of AI-powered advertising and potential new monetization opportunities. The endorsement helped lift shares. Article: Meta stock surges over 5% today: here’s why
• Positive Sentiment: Meta released Muse Ember, a lightweight, cost-efficient AI model built for agent tasks such as coding and document processing. Investors may see it as a step toward expanding AI capabilities efficiently. Article: Meta releases Muse Ember
• Neutral Sentiment: Meta is expanding AI age-estimation technology globally on Instagram to identify teen users and apply Teen Account protections. The rollout could help address safety concerns, but comes amid multiple lawsuits alleging harm to teens. Article: Meta expands Instagram’s AI age-guessing tech globally
• Negative Sentiment: Investor concerns remain about the scale of Meta’s AI investment: a recent analysis noted that free cash flow turned negative last quarter. Heavy spending could weigh on returns if AI monetization does not keep pace. Article: Meta Platforms Stock: Is it a Steal of a Deal at $650?

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have recently commented on the company. Loop Capital increased their target price on Meta Platforms from $740.00 to $955.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, September 24th. President Capital upgraded shares of Meta Platforms from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $660.00 to $897.00 in a research note on Thursday, September 24th. BNP Paribas Exane cut their price target on shares of Meta Platforms from $955.00 to $855.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, July 30th. HSBC cut their price target on shares of Meta Platforms from $905.00 to $830.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, July 30th. Finally, New Street Research reduced their price objective on shares of Meta Platforms from $730.00 to $700.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, July 31st. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, forty-seven have given a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $833.12.

About Meta Platforms

Meta Platforms, Inc is a global technology company that develops social networking, messaging, and digital communication products. Its services include Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger, and Threads, which connect people and help businesses reach audiences around the world.

The company also develops virtual and augmented reality products and technologies through its Reality Labs division, including Quest headsets and related software and services. Advertising is a central part of Meta’s business, with its platforms providing tools for businesses to promote products and services.

Founded in 2004 as Facebook by Mark Zuckerberg and fellow students, the company changed its name to Meta Platforms in 2021 to reflect its broader focus on building social technologies and immersive digital experiences.