# Meta Stock Slips as Target Price Rises to $820 Amid Spending Concerns

- URL: https://stocks.freetheai.org/news/meta-stock-slips-as-target-price-rises-to-820-amid-spending-concerns-5483c5
- Published: 2026-10-19T19:50:24Z
- Category: analyst_ratings; sentiment: mixed; impact: medium
- Symbols: [NASDAQ:META](https://stocks.freetheai.org/symbols/NASDAQ-META)
- Written by our AI from expert market sources across the web for FreeTheAI Stocks, built by Vibhek Soni
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Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ:META) saw its shares decline slightly even after a price target increase to $820 from $775, alongside a maintained Overweight rating. The stock traded down 0.47% to $706.

The drop highlights ongoing market debate over corporate spending and profit margins. During the second quarter, revenue expanded 28% to $60.80 billion, but operating income fell 8% to $18.78 billion. Profitability was hampered by $2.40 billion in legal charges and $1.18 billion in severance costs, while capital expenditures reached $31.08 billion, representing 51.1% of total revenue.

Looking ahead, investors are tracking whether future earnings can convert strong advertising sales into higher free cash flow. For the third quarter, leadership expects revenue to fall between $61 billion and $64 billion, making margin performance and capital allocation key indicators to watch.

## Key points

- A major Wall Street firm raised its price target on Meta Platforms to $820 from $775 while keeping an Overweight rating.
- Meta stock fell 0.47% to $706 during trading.
- Second-quarter revenue rose 28% to $60.80 billion, but operating income dropped 8% to $18.78 billion.
- Capital expenditures hit $31.08 billion in the second quarter, accounting for 51.1% of total revenue.
- Management expects third-quarter revenue to range between $61 billion and $64 billion.

## Questions and answers

### Why did Meta stock fall despite a price target increase?

Shares dipped as investors focused on high capital spending and an 8% drop in second-quarter operating income, which offset positive analyst sentiment.

### What were Meta's second-quarter financial results?

Meta reported $60.80 billion in revenue, up 28% year-over-year, while operating income declined 8% to $18.78 billion due to legal and severance expenses.

### What is Meta's revenue forecast for the third quarter?

Management expects third-quarter revenue to be between $61 billion and $64 billion.