Meta Stock On Winning Streak With Earnings Due. This Number Takes ‘Center Stage.’

Meta Platforms (META) stock rose early Monday, setting up a seventh consecutive positive trading day. The Facebook and Instagram parent company reports third-quarter earnings late Wednesday. Expectations are high following second-quarter results that one analyst said “blew the doors off.” Analysts project Meta will post sales of $49.5 billion for the September-ended quarter, according to FactSet, representing 22% year-over-year growth. That’s the highest growth target for Meta this year. For Meta’s Q2 and Q1 results earlier this year, analysts were forecasting sales growth of 14% and 13%, respectively, ahead of the results. Meta beat both of those marks with 22% sales growth in Q2 and 16% in Q1. Meanwhile, analysts expect the Facebook parent company to post an 11% increase in earnings to $6.72 per share, according to FactSet.  Nearly all of Meta’s revenue comes from sales of digital ads on the company’s Family of Apps, led by Facebook and Instagram. Stifel analyst Mark Kelley wrote to clients late last week that digital advertising is “generally in a good spot,” with Meta remaining a top pick. “Estimates seem reasonable, with our checks highlighting continued Instagram strength, though 2026 capex (and related expenses) likely takes center stage this quarter,” Kelley wrote.
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