Last Trading Date: New York February 10, 2026
- Meta Platforms shares closed down about 0.96% in the latest trading session and extended losses in after-hours trading, as investors weighed the company’s recent results and spending outlook.
- Despite beating earnings expectations, market reaction remained cautious due to elevated capital expenditure guidance, while analysts adjusted price targets into the US$800–US$900 range and largely maintained Buy ratings.
- The stock’s move came amid broader weakness in U.S. equities, with traders watching upcoming catalysts including key economic data releases, regulatory developments, and updates on Meta’s AI monetization strategy.
Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ: META) shares experienced a volatile session in the latest trading day, closing modestly lower before dipping further in after-hours activity as investors parsed the company’s recent earnings, forward revenue guidance, and broader market cues. The communication services and tech sector lagged on weaker economic data that pressured major indexes like the S&P 500 and Nasdaq earlier in the session.(Reuters)
On Wednesday, Meta shares closed down approximately 0.96% at the regular market close, reflecting investor caution despite its upbeat fourth-quarter results and revenue forecast for the first quarter of 2026. Following the close, trading continued to show after-hours weakness, with the stock trading slightly below the closing price as markets digested heavy AI-related capital expenditure projections and broader sector headwinds that pressured growth stocks late in the day.(Motley Fool)
The stock movement followed Meta’s release of its fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 earnings results reported on January 28, where the company posted $8.88 in earnings per share on revenue of $59.89 billion, both metrics beating consensus expectations and evidence of ongoing advertising strength and user engagement growth. Management also forecasted first-quarter 2026 revenue in a range of $53.5 billion to $56.5 billion, above analysts’ consensus estimates, although guidance for elevated expenses and capital outlays drew mixed reactions.(atmeta investor)
Analyst reactions ahead of the session have been largely positive on fundamentals, but with a range of views on risk-reward. Research notes show several price target adjustments following the earnings announcement: UBS raised its target to $872 from $830 while maintaining a Buy rating, reflecting confidence in Meta’s AI-driven revenue expansion; other brokerages including Guggenheim and Mizuho lifted targets to around the mid-$800s; while the consensus one-year target across analysts remains near $849 with a Moderate Buy average rating.(marketbeat)
These projections come amid a backdrop of ongoing regulatory scrutiny and legal challenges, including fresh litigation related to privacy practices, that could weigh on investor sentiment even as core ad revenue and AI monetization show strength. A recent reaffirmation of a Market Outperform rating with a price target of $900 further underscores the divergent views within the analyst community on how Meta’s strategic investments will translate into returns(investing)
Meta’s stock action also occurred against broader market movements on Tuesday’s session, where weaker U.S. retail sales and mixed economic signals saw the S&P 500 and Nasdaq trading lower while the Dow managed modest gains. Investors remained cautious on macro data and its implications for growth equities as interest rate expectations adjust.(Reuters)