Moody National Bank Trust Division Cuts Position in Meta Platforms, Inc. $META

Moody National Bank Trust Division lowered its position in Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META) by 13.6% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 15,707 shares of the social networking company’s stock after selling 2,463 shares during the quarter. Meta Platforms comprises about 0.8% of Moody National Bank Trust Division’s portfolio, making the stock its 16th largest position. 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 institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Advantage Trust Co bought a new stake in Meta Platforms in the second quarter worth about $28,000. Niles Investment Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Meta Platforms during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Philadelphia Investment Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Meta Platforms in the second quarter worth approximately $32,000. Horizons Wealth Management purchased a new stake in shares of Meta Platforms in the third quarter worth approximately $33,000. Finally, Axiom Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Meta Platforms during the 1st quarter worth approximately $36,000. Institutional investors own 79.91% of the company’s stock.

Meta Platforms Stock Down 0.4%

Shares of META stock traded down $3.02 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $738.88. The stock had a trading volume of 12,543,645 shares, compared to its average volume of 17,504,529. Meta Platforms, Inc. has a 12-month low of $520.26 and a 12-month high of $779.82. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.88 trillion, a P/E ratio of 27.83, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.27 and a beta of 1.19. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $628.48 and its two-hundred day moving average is $616.82. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 2.23 and a quick ratio of 2.23.

Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META) last announced its quarterly 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). The firm had revenue of $60.80 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $60.22 billion. Meta Platforms had a net margin of 29.83% and a return on equity of 33.18%. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 28.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $7.14 EPS. On average, analysts predict that Meta Platforms, Inc. will post 27.94 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Meta Platforms Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced 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 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.3%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, September 21st. Meta Platforms’s dividend payout ratio is presently 7.91%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms recently issued reports on META. DZ Bank reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of Meta Platforms in a research report on Thursday, July 30th. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $725.00 target price (down from $815.00) on shares of Meta Platforms in a research report on Thursday, August 27th. Monness Crespi & Hardt boosted their target price 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. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an “outperform” rating and issued a $770.00 price target on shares of Meta Platforms in a report on Thursday, September 24th. Finally, Moffett Nathanson reduced their price target on shares of Meta Platforms from $800.00 to $740.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, July 30th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, forty-four have given a Buy rating and ten have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $791.86.

Key Stories Impacting Meta Platforms

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

Insider Buying and Selling at Meta Platforms

In other news, CEO Mark Zuckerberg sold 27,474 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, September 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $777.44, for a total value of $21,359,386.56. 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, CTO Andrew Bosworth sold 7,848 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $558.00, for a total transaction of $4,379,184.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief technology officer directly owned 828 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $462,024. The trade was a 90.46% decrease in their position. 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. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 146,647 shares of company stock worth $99,886,901. 13.53% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

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.