Meta Platforms (META) reports third-quarter earnings after the close on Wednesday, alongside a wave of Big Tech peers. The GAAP EPS estimate is $3.54, though that figure may be messy because a legal settlement will be included and analysts differ on how it will be accounted for. Options imply a 3.2% move in either direction, the smallest since the fourth-quarter report before last. Estimates for next year's capex vary widely: Wedbush near $250 billion, Evercore ISI $210 billion, Bank of America $205 billion and Dan Ives around $194 billion. Most analysts say that spending is acceptable if Meta provides a Muse roadmap and confidence it can monetize it, and the stock is up about seven and a half percent year to date.
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Related tickers and likely impact
META
• NeutralMeta Platforms
Relevance: medium
| Market | US stocks |
|---|---|
| Sector | Communication Services |
| Industry | Interactive Media & Services |
| Market cap | $1.9T |
| Close on 10/16/2026 | 709.34 |
| Change that session | -3.72% |
NVDA
▲ Likely positiveNvidia
Relevance: low
| Market | US stocks |
|---|---|
| Sector | Information Technology |
| Industry | Semiconductors |
| Market cap | $5.2T |
| Close on 10/16/2026 | 214.14 |
| Change that session | -1.42% |
Impact is scored by AI from the headline and may be wrong. It is not investment advice.
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