Meta Platforms stock gains 1.61% as AI funding stays in focus

Published on 11/03/2026 at 16:48 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

Meta Platforms stock remains tied to a costly artificial-intelligence expansion. Revenue growth is strong, but financing and cash-flow pressure are rising.

AI spending raises the stakes

Meta's third-quarter revenue rose 26 percent, but costs increased sharply and free cash flow turned negative.
The company is pursuing major equity financing while future AI infrastructure commitments increase capital-allocation pressure.
Management expects new AI businesses to begin contributing incremental revenue in 2027.

Meta Platforms, US30303M1027, Illustration mit AI erstellt.

Meta Platforms stock has gained 1.61 percent since the latest report on Tuesday, November 3, as investors continue to weigh strong advertising growth against the cost of the company's artificial-intelligence expansion. The move is a fresh market development alongside the financing and cash-flow issues already shaping the investment case.

The real-time quote of Meta Platforms stock was 552.35 euros on Lang & Schwarz at 16:38 CET on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, 0.81 percent above the Xetra close of Monday, November 2, at 547.90 euros. The latest report had cited 543.60 euros at 13:18 CET on the same day, so the current quote is 8.75 euros higher.

Revenue growth meets heavier investment

Meta's third-quarter revenue increased 26 percent year over year to USD 64.601 billion, while advertising revenue reached USD 63.061 billion. Average daily people across the Family of Apps rose 3 percent to 3.64 billion in September, and ad impressions increased 10 percent.

Costs and expenses climbed 68 percent to USD 51.613 billion, including a USD 9.89 billion charge related to an agreement with 52 U.S. state attorneys general over teen mental-health litigation. Net income rose to USD 9.860 billion, while operating margin fell to 20 percent from 40 percent. Meta said diluted earnings per share would have been USD 7.40 without the legal charge.

Financing keeps investors focused

Meta's capital spending, including principal payments on finance leases, reached USD 34.91 billion in the quarter. Operating cash flow was USD 32.786 billion, but free cash flow was negative USD 2.120 billion, compared with positive free cash flow of USD 10.625 billion a year earlier.

Reuters, in a report republished by RTÉ, reported that Meta increased planned equity fundraising to USD 97.5 billion. The company has also disclosed about USD 825 billion in future commitments, mainly linked to data centers, AI infrastructure and cloud computing.

Meta expects fourth-quarter revenue of USD 73 billion to USD 76 billion and 2026 expenses of USD 175 billion to USD 179 billion. Management expects new AI businesses to add revenue in 2027 through subscriptions, transactions, advertising and enterprise offerings. For investors, the key question is whether those businesses can generate returns before financing needs and cash demands rise further.

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