📈 Meta Platforms Stock: Current Price and Critical Dates
As of February 6, 2026, Meta Platforms (META) stock is trading at $660.64. This represents a pullback from January’s peak of $716.50, creating what many analysts consider an attractive entry point for long-term investors.
Mark your calendar for late April 2026—this is when Meta is expected to release its Q1 2026 earnings report. Historically, these quarterly announcements have been major price catalysts for META stock. The company typically announces earnings between April 24-30, with April 29 being the most likely date based on past patterns.
How Earnings Reports Have Moved META Stock
Let me show you how dramatically earnings can impact this stock. Here’s what happened with recent quarterly reports:
| Date | Event | Pre-News Price | Post-News Change | Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 28, 2026 | Q4 2025 Earnings | ~$700 | Currently assessing | Reported EPS of $8.88 vs $8.21 expected |
| Oct 29, 2025 | Q3 2025 Earnings | $751.67 | -11.33% | Market reacted negatively to guidance |
| Jul 30, 2025 | Q2 2025 Earnings | $694.74 | +11.25% | Strong ad revenue growth |
| Apr 29, 2025 | Q1 2025 Earnings | ~$650 | +6.8% | Beat estimates with AI progress |
| Jan 27, 2025 | Q4 2024 Earnings | ~$580 | +9.2% | Strong holiday ad performance |
| Oct 28, 2024 | Q3 2024 Earnings | ~$520 | -4.5% | Reality Labs losses concerned investors |
Trend Insight: Meta’s stock shows extreme sensitivity to earnings surprises and forward guidance. Positive beats typically generate 6-11% gains within days, while misses or concerning guidance can trigger 4-11% drops. The most dramatic recent example was October 2025’s -11.33% plunge after Q3 results—a perfect illustration of why timing matters.
Step-by-Step: Preparing for Earnings Season
| Step | Action | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Set price alerts | Get notified when META approaches key levels before earnings |
| 2 | Review analyst consensus | Check sites like MarketBeat for EPS and revenue estimates |
| 3 | Monitor after-hours trading | Earnings release after market close; initial reaction happens immediately |
| 4 | Wait for morning volatility to settle | Post-earnings moves often stabilize within 2-3 trading days |
| 5 | Have a plan for both outcomes | Decide in advance whether you’ll buy on dips or sell on spikes |
📊 META’s 6-Month Price Journey: From $647 to $716 and Back
Over the last six months (August 2025 to February 2026), Meta stock has taken investors on quite a rollercoaster ride:
- August-October 2025: Trading around $647 range as investors digested Q3 concerns
- November 2025: Closed at $647.95—the starting point of our analysis
- December 2025: Rose to $660.09 as holiday ad spending optimism grew
- January 2026: Skyrocketed to $716.50 peak on AI enthusiasm
- February 2026: Pulled back to current $660.64 level
That’s a 10.6% gain from November to January peak, followed by a 7.8% correction to current levels. This pattern is classic META behavior—sharp rallies followed by healthy pullbacks that often create buying opportunities.
Step-by-Step: Analyzing the 6-Month Trend
| Step | Analysis Point | What It Means for You |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Identify the trend direction | Overall upward despite recent pullback |
| 2 | Note support and resistance levels | $647 acted as strong support; $716 as resistance |
| 3 | Calculate average monthly return | ~2.2% monthly gain over the period |
| 4 | Compare to broader market | Outperformed S&P 500 during this period |
| 5 | Assess volatility patterns | Higher volatility around earnings dates |
The key takeaway? Meta has demonstrated resilience with an overall upward trajectory, but it’s not for the faint-hearted. Those 7-11% swings can test any investor’s nerves.
🔮 Price Forecast: What Experts Say About META’s Future
Based on current analyst projections and company fundamentals, here’s what you might expect:
2026 Forecast: Analysts are generally bullish, with consensus targets around $847.40 according to MarketBeat’s survey of 51 analysts. That represents about 28% upside from current levels. The highest target reaches $1,144, while conservative estimates sit around $700.
2028 Outlook: While specific 2028 targets aren’t widely published, extrapolating from growth rates suggests a range of $1,100-$1,400 if AI investments pay off as expected.
2030 Projection: Long-term models incorporating metaverse adoption and AI monetization point toward $1,500-$2,000+ territory, though this depends heavily on execution and market conditions.
Verdict: BUY for long-term investors comfortable with volatility. The current pullback from January highs offers a better entry point than we’ve seen in months. Short-term traders might wait for post-earnings clarity in April.
⚠️ Understanding the Risks: What Could Go Wrong?
Before you invest a single dollar in Meta Platforms Inc. (META) shares, you need to understand these risks:
- Regulatory Pressure: Governments worldwide are scrutinizing Big Tech more than ever. Antitrust lawsuits, privacy regulations, and content moderation requirements could significantly impact Meta’s business model and profitability.
- Massive Capital Expenditures: Meta plans to spend $115-135 billion on capital expenditures in 2026, nearly double last year’s spending according to their latest guidance. This heavy investment in AI infrastructure could pressure margins if returns take longer than expected.
- Reality Labs Losses: The metaverse division continues burning cash—$955 million in Q4 2025 alone with a -12% year-over-year decline. These losses could continue for years before becoming profitable.
- Advertising Dependency: Over 98% of Meta’s revenue comes from advertising. Any economic downturn that reduces ad spending would hit the company hard.
- Competition Intensifies: TikTok continues gaining ground with younger audiences, while Apple’s privacy changes have already impacted Meta’s ad targeting capabilities.
🟢 Positive Signals: Why Investors Are Excited
Despite the risks, compelling reasons exist to consider Meta Platforms Inc. (META) shares:
- AI Monetization Acceleration: Meta’s AI investments are starting to pay off in advertising tools and user engagement. The company reported average ad prices increased 9% year-over-year for full year 2025.
- Family Apps Strength: With 3.58 billion daily active people across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger, Meta maintains an unparalleled user base that continues growing.
- Threads Momentum: The Twitter/X competitor shows promising engagement and could add up to $11.3 billion in revenue by 2026 according to some projections.
- Reasonable Valuation: At current prices, Meta trades at a forward P/E ratio around 24x—reasonable for a tech giant with its growth profile.
- Industry Tailwinds: Digital advertising continues shifting toward social media and AI-powered targeting, playing directly to Meta’s strengths.
📰 Recent News Analysis: What Happened in the Last 6 Months?
The most significant development was the Q4 2025 earnings release on January 28, 2026. Meta reported revenue of $59.9 billion (up 24% year-over-year) and EPS of $8.88, beating estimates of $8.21 according to their official earnings release.
Key takeaways for traders:
- Advertising remains robust with impressions up 18% and prices up 6%
- AI infrastructure spending will accelerate dramatically in 2026
- Reality Labs losses continue but are part of long-term strategy
- No major acquisitions or partnerships announced—focus is internal execution
Other notable developments include routine insider sales under Rule 10b5-1 plans (perfectly normal for executives) and the filing of Meta’s Proxy Statement for the 2026 Annual Meeting showing non-affiliate stock valued at approximately $1.6 trillion as of June 30, 2025.
🎯 What Should a Beginner Trader Do Today?
After analyzing all this data, here are my serious recommendations:
- Start Small with Dollar-Cost Averaging: Instead of investing a lump sum today, consider setting up regular purchases—perhaps $100-$500 monthly—to average your entry price over time.
- Wait for Post-Earnings Clarity: With Q1 earnings expected in late April, consider waiting until after that report to make your initial purchase. Historical patterns show better entry points often emerge post-earnings.
- Allocate Wisely: Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Even if you’re bullish on Meta, keep it to 5-15% of your total portfolio until you’re more experienced.
And now for my trader’s humor: “Trading META is like dating someone with commitment issues—great potential but prepare for emotional whiplash! The key is not to fall in love with the stock; fall in love with your exit strategy.”
✅ How to Buy Meta Platforms Inc. (META) Shares – Step by Step
Ready to take the plunge? Here’s your practical roadmap:
| Step | Action | Practical Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Choose a trading platform | Look for low commissions, fractional shares, and robust research tools |
| 2 | Complete account setup & verification | Have your ID ready; most platforms verify within hours |
| 3 | Fund your account | Start with an amount you’re comfortable potentially losing |
| 4 | Search for “META” ticker | Use the exact ticker symbol, not just “Meta” or “Facebook” |
| 5 | Select order type (Limit recommended) | Set maximum price you’ll pay (e.g., $665) rather than market order |
| 6 | Choose number of shares or dollar amount | Consider fractional shares if full shares are too expensive |
| 7 | Review fees and confirm purchase | Ensure you understand all costs before finalizing |
| 8 | Set up price alerts and monitoring | Stay informed without obsessively checking prices |
| 9 | Document your investment thesis | Write down WHY you bought to reference during volatility |
| 10 | Plan your exit strategy in advance | Decide under what conditions you’ll sell (profit or loss) |
💡 Why Exness Makes Stock Investing Accessible
For new investors looking to start their journey with stocks like Meta Platforms Inc., platforms like Exness offer several advantages that lower barriers to entry:
- Minimal Starting Capital: With one of the lowest minimum deposit requirements in the industry ($5), you can begin testing strategies with real money without significant risk.
- Streamlined Verification: Exness’s KYC process accepts a single document for verification, meaning you can go from sign-up to trading in minutes rather than days.
- Flexible Withdrawal Options: Hundreds of withdrawal methods give you control over how and when you access your profits.
While Exness is known for quick trading opportunities across various markets, its accessibility features make it particularly suitable for beginners dipping their toes into stock investing without committing large sums upfront.
🌍 Meta Platforms in 2026: More Than Just Facebook
Today, Meta Platforms Inc. stands as a $1.6+ trillion technology conglomerate that dominates social media while aggressively pursuing the next computing frontiers. The company generates over $200 billion annually primarily from advertising across its family of apps while investing heavily in artificial intelligence infrastructure and metaverse development.
Meta’s current market position is unique—it maintains near-monopoly status in several social media categories while being viewed as an underdog in the AI race against giants like Google and Microsoft. This dual identity creates both vulnerability and opportunity for investors.
Interesting Fact from 2025: Did you know Meta spent a staggering $48.45 billion on research and development in the twelve months ending June 30, 2025? That’s more than the entire market capitalization of many Fortune 500 companies! This massive R&D investment—focused on AI, VR, and infrastructure—explains both the company’s ambitious vision and its current profitability pressures.
