:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-2254396834-a2573575813a4a359576c123d49e05f8.jpg "Here’s How Much Traders Expect Meta Stock To Move After Wednesday’s Earnings")
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/GettyImages-2254396834-a2573575813a4a359576c123d49e05f8.jpg)
Key Takeaways
- Meta is scheduled to report its quarterly results after the closing bell Wednesday, with Wall Street analysts expecting growing profits and revenues on gains in its ad business.
- Options pricing suggests traders expect Meta’s stock could move about 6% in either direction in the days after its results.
Meta is scheduled to report its fourth-quarter results after the closing bell Wednesday. Traders anticipate a big move in the social media giant’s stock.
Options pricing suggests traders expect Meta Platforms (META) stock could move close to 6% in either direction by the end of this week. A shift of that size from recent levels around $672 could push shares as high as $712—or drag them back down to about $633, where they were earlier this month.
Why This Matters to Investors
Meta’s outlook Wednesday, and the ensuing reaction, could send a message about how eager companies are to test investors’ willingness to continue supporting Big Tech’s hefty spending on AI.
Meta’s 2026 outlook, and what it has to say about its projected capital expenditures, could take the spotlight when the company reports, amid some worries it could be overspending on AI. Analysts at Bank of America said that could set the stock up for gains if Meta’s expense forecast proves milder than feared, but warned a larger-than-expected spending outlook could fuel investors’ concerns.
BofA also said Meta could top fourth-quarter estimates thanks to momentum in the ad business that accounts for the bulk of the company’s revenue, which could soothe worries about AI spending. More details about Meta’s rollout of ads on Threads, and reported moves to test premium subscriptions for several of its apps, could help too.
Meta is seen reporting fourth-quarter earnings per share of $8.17 on a nearly 21% year-over-year jump in revenue to a record $58.43 billion, according to estimates collected by Visible Alpha.
Wall Street analysts are overwhelmingly bullish on Meta’s stock, which they believe still has room to rise after a roughly 13% climb in 2025. All of the 21 analysts with current ratings compiled by Visible Alpha have issued “buy” recommendations for the stock, with their mean target around $841 suggesting 25% upside from Monday’s close.
