Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META) Given New $762.00 Price Target at The Goldman Sachs Group

Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META) had its price objective decreased by equities research analysts at The Goldman Sachs Group from $860.00 to $762.00 in a research report issued on Wednesday, Benzinga reports. The firm presently has a “buy” rating on the social networking company’s stock. The Goldman Sachs Group’s price objective would indicate a potential upside of 3.59% from the company’s current price.

Several other research firms also recently commented on META. Moffett Nathanson dropped 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. Loop Capital upped their price target on Meta Platforms from $740.00 to $955.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, September 24th. Sanford C. Bernstein reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and issued a $800.00 price target (down from $850.00) on shares of Meta Platforms in a research report on Thursday, July 30th. Canaccord Genuity Group lifted their price objective on Meta Platforms from $930.00 to $950.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, September 25th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price target on shares of Meta Platforms from $750.00 to $820.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, September 25th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, forty-five have given a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $801.53.

Meta Platforms Trading Down 3.5%

Shares of META stock traded down $26.92 on Wednesday, hitting $735.58. The stock had a trading volume of 9,354,108 shares, compared to its average volume of 17,472,775. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $647.53 and its 200-day moving average price is $622.44. Meta Platforms has a 1 year low of $520.26 and a 1 year high of $779.82. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 2.23 and a quick ratio of 2.23. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.87 trillion, a P/E ratio of 27.73, a P/E/G ratio of 1.29 and a beta of 1.19.

Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 29th. The social networking company reported $6.18 earnings per share (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 business had revenue of $60.80 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations 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. Analysts anticipate that Meta Platforms will post 27.94 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Transactions at Meta Platforms

In related news, COO Javier Olivan sold 946 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $728.08, for a total value of $688,763.68. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer owned 7,878 shares in the company, valued at $5,735,814.24. The trade was a 10.72% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, insider Christopher Cox sold 40,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, September 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $712.76, for a total value of $28,510,400.00. Following the sale, the insider directly 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 SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 148,222 shares of company stock worth $101,033,627. Company insiders own 13.53% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Horizons Wealth Management bought a new stake in Meta Platforms during the 3rd quarter worth $33,000. Advantage Trust Co purchased a new position in Meta Platforms during the second quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Philadelphia Investment Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Meta Platforms in the 2nd quarter valued at about $32,000. Axiom Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Meta Platforms in the 1st quarter worth approximately $36,000. Finally, Schuylkill Financial LLC purchased a new stake in Meta Platforms during the 2nd quarter valued at about $36,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.91% of the company’s stock.

Key Meta Platforms News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Meta’s Muse Wonder model scored 83.2% on the DualEntry Accounting AI Benchmark, tying for second among 57 models and ranking ahead of OpenAI and Google models tested. The result supports Meta’s claim that it is becoming more competitive in frontier AI. Meta Muse Wonder benchmark
• Positive Sentiment: Meta’s major advantage is distribution: Muse-based AI tools can reach billions of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp users. Analysts and commentators argue that this consumer scale could accelerate adoption, advertising improvements and longer-term AI monetization. Meta consumer-scale AI
• Positive Sentiment: Several firms remain bullish. Truist established a $1,000 price target, while Guggenheim raised its target to $850 from $700; UBS also increased its target. KeyCorp and Rosenblatt reiterated positive ratings, reflecting confidence in AI-enhanced advertising and future revenue opportunities. Truist Meta price target
• Neutral Sentiment: Wall Street remains divided despite widespread Buy ratings. Goldman Sachs lowered its target because of rising operating expenses, while UBS and Guggenheim raised theirs on anticipated AI revenue. This divergence highlights uncertainty about how quickly AI investments will translate into profits. Analyst views on Meta
• Negative Sentiment: Investors are concerned that Meta’s large AI and Superintelligence Lab investments could pressure free cash flow and compress the stock’s premium valuation, particularly if macroeconomic conditions weaken. The company is scheduled to report third-quarter results after the market close on October 21, making earnings and spending guidance the next major catalyst. Meta AI investment risks

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.