# Meta Prepares for Q3 Earnings with Focus on AI and Rising Costs

- URL: https://stocks.freetheai.org/news/meta-prepares-for-q3-earnings-with-focus-on-ai-and-rising-costs-9dfd55
- Published: 2026-10-13T13:24:13Z
- Category: earnings; sentiment: mixed; impact: high
- Symbols: [NASDAQ:META](https://stocks.freetheai.org/symbols/NASDAQ-META)
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Meta Platforms Inc. (META) is scheduled to report third-quarter financial results on October 21 after the market closes. Wall Street analysts expect the company to report earnings per share of $6.28 and total revenue of $63.32 billion. In the previous quarter, Meta posted $60.80 billion in revenue, beating expectations, but reported earnings per share of $6.18, which fell short of consensus estimates.

Investor attention is focused on rising expenses and capital spending. Management previously guided for full-year expenses between $165 billion and $169 billion, alongside capital expenditures of $130 billion to $145 billion. Because cost increases contributed to the earnings miss in the second quarter, market participants are closely watching whether third-quarter revenue meets guidance of $61 billion to $64 billion.

Looking ahead, investors are watching for growth in artificial intelligence capabilities, including early monetization metrics for the Muse AI agent. Analysts maintain an average price target of $830.04 with a consensus Buy rating, with recent price targets set between $886.00 and $1,000.00. Shares of Meta were recently trading at $767.30, up 3.28% for the session.

## Key points

- Meta Platforms Inc. will publish its third-quarter financial results on October 21 after market close.
- Analysts project third-quarter earnings per share of $6.28 on revenue of $63.32 billion.
- Meta guidance forecasts full-year expenses of $165 billion to $169 billion and capital expenditures up to $145 billion.
- The analyst consensus rating remains Buy with an average price target of $830.04.

## Questions and answers

### When will Meta report its Q3 earnings?

Meta Platforms Inc. is scheduled to report third-quarter earnings on October 21 after the stock market closes.

### What are the Q3 revenue and earnings estimates for Meta?

Analysts expect Meta to report third-quarter earnings per share of $6.28 and total revenue of $63.32 billion.

### What is Meta's full-year spending outlook?

Management expects full-year expenses of $165 billion to $169 billion and capital expenditures of $130 billion to $145 billion.