Meta Platforms (META) shares fell 19.7% between October 13 and October 28, 2026, with the largest one-day drop coming the day after its third-quarter report. The article says the decline could look like a bargain if ad sales keep growing, but like a warning if data center spending keeps running ahead of cash. Ad sales across the Family of Apps reached $63.1 billion in the third quarter, up 26%, and the average price per ad rose 14%. Free cash flow, however, was negative $1.16 billion in the quarter versus $11.2 billion a year earlier, while capital spending is guided to $135 billion to $145 billion for 2026 and Meta plans to raise up to $97.5 billion by selling stock. Operating margin fell to 20.1% from 40.1%, including a $9.9 billion charge tied to an agreement with state attorneys general, and on a trailing earnings basis the P/E is 20.8 versus 22.6 for the S&P 500. The company is expected to report fourth-quarter results in January 2027.
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Related tickers and likely impact
META
• NeutralMeta Platforms
Relevance: low
| Market | US stocks |
|---|---|
| Sector | Communication Services |
| Industry | Interactive Media & Services |
| Market cap | $1.7T |
| Close on 10/28/2026 | 612.49 |
| Change that session | -1.24% |
Impact is scored by AI from the headline and may be wrong. It is not investment advice.
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